For anyone who’s new here, I’m a huge advocate of companion planting and believe everyone with a medium to large garden should practice it. This simple concept completely changed my garden, and I hope I can help change others’ gardens for the better too.
In today’s article, we’ll take a look at what companion plants can help leafy greens grow faster. Let’s jump straight into it, shall we?
Why Companion Planting Helps Leafy Greens Thrive? It’s Simple…
To figure out the kind of companion plants we need, you must first identify the problems you’re dealing with. The problems with leafy greens are that they’re typically:
Good companion plants should be able to mitigate these problems or at least help leafy greens navigate around them. This means they either block harsh sunlight, keep pests like aphids and flea beetles at bay, or improve soil nutrients like nitrogen.
9 Companion Plants That Help Leafy Greens Grow Faster
1: Radishes
As some of you may already know, radishes are super fast-growing and are known for their large yields. They break up compacted soil and act as pest decoys (especially for flea beetles).
2: Bush Beans
Bush beans tend to fix nitrogen in the soil, giving leafy greens a growth boost without added fertilizer. Nitrogen works exceptionally well for promoting leafy growth in plants.
3: Dill
Dill attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings that naturally prey on aphids, helping to reduce populations and keeping your garden safe and healthy.
4: Chives
Chives repel aphids and can subtly improve the flavor of lettuce if planted in close enough proximity. As much as you love to garnish your savory foods with chives for that extra crunch and aroma, pests and insects find chives extremely unpleasant and stay as far away from them in the garden as possible.
5: Marigolds
Marigolds are excellent all-around pest deterrents, especially for leaf-eating bugs. They’ll protect your garden and provide mesmerizing beauty to the landscape, essentially killing two birds with one stone.
6: Carrots
Carrots grow extremely well alongside leafy greens because they take up root space slightly differently and can improve airflow.
7: Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are known as trap crops because of the fact that they lure pests and insects away from the main crops, allowing them to grow unhindered.
8: Borage
Borage flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects like hoverflies, which feed on aphids and other harmful garden pests. They also add trace minerals to the soil when it breaks down, which leafy greens love.
A very unique bonus point of this annual is that its broad leaves can provide a bit of shade for tender greens in warmer weather.
9: Cilantro (Coriander)
Cilantro’s strong scent helps repel aphids and spider mites from nearby greens. It’s a cool-season herb that grows well with lettuce and spinach, and fortunately, doesn’t compete for nutrients.
You may want to let your cilantro flower to attract predatory insects like parasitic wasps and tachinid flies.
What To Avoid Planting Near Leafy Greens? This Is Important!
Conclusion
From one gardener to another: trust in the magic of your companion plants! You’ll be surprised by what they can do if you just let them be!
Your strategy should be simple and straightforward: grow companion plants that your leafy greens will appreciate and benefit from, and let them create a natural harmony over the course of the season. Good luck!
