Skip to main content

Gardening Hacks: 8 Best Pairs of Plants to Grow Side-by-Side

3 minute read

By natadm

Gardening isn’t as easy as some may think. It’s far more than just picking out an area in your yard to dig to, and then simply adding some plants. Actually, there’s a bit of strategy involved.

In fact, placing certain plants next to other plants within your garden can affect how they grow, thrive, and harvest.

Benefits of Companion Planting

Referred to as companion planting, pairing up specific plants within your garden can enhance and positively affect their growth. These benefits are:

8 Best Plant Pairings

8. Cucumbers and Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are famous for enhancing the flavor and health of cucumbers. On top of that, they repel insects.

Having said that, they can serve as a distraction for specific aphids, as these garden pests tend to gravitate towards this plant compared to others.

7. Chives and Roses

While chives are a friendly pairing for quite a few plants out there, they are especially a good companion to place next to roses. Chives deter Japanese beetles and the black spot disease, two things that are known to affect the blooming of roses. In fact, planting chives close to rose bushes will positively affect overall growth.

In terms of aesthetics, the two plants also complement each other when paired up next to each other.

6. Tomatoes and Asparagus

If you are growing both asparagus and tomatoes in your garden, you may want to pair them side by side, as it can be mutually beneficial for both plants.

Asparagus has a chemical within that kills nematodes — pests that deter tomatoes from flourishing — while tomatoes have solanine, a chemical that deters asparagus beetles, within. Talk about the perfect plant pairing.

5. Melons/Squash and Flowering Herbs

Sometimes, it’s not always about keeping the insects at bay, as there some of those tiny creatures that are good for your garden. Melons and squash are fruits and veggies that need pollinators to blossom, so flowering herbs (i.e. fennel, parsley, and dill) are just the plants that are perfect at inviting this type of insects to join the outdoor party.

4. Basil and Peppers

Growing basil next to peppers will help to reduce the number of spider mites, aphid, mosquitoes, and flies, but that isn’t the only benefit. Basil is also said to help with growth and boost the flavor of your garden peppers once harvest hits.

3. Summer Savory and Green Beans

Talk about a pair that not only will be good out in the garden, but also at the dinner table. Growing these two next to each other has many advantages as summer savory helps to deter Mexican bean beetles and enhances both the growth and flavor of green beans.

Pair them up in the garden, so come harvest time, these will also make a tasty combo on one’s plate.

2. Broccoli and Marigolds

Why does the plant pairing of broccoli and marigolds work so well?

Well, broccoli requires a ton of calcium to grow and flourish, while marigold needs a minimal amount of this mineral. On top of that, they’ll add some color to your garden, while keeping the insects away!

1. Chamomile and Cabbage

Chamomile invites beneficial insects to the garden for those plants in need of it, such as cabbage. After the harvest season, chop up the chamomile and toss it back into the garden to help richen up your soil for planting in the late spring, next year.

Conclusion

Gardening can be such a pleasant hobby to partake in while under the summer sun. However, a dampened harvest in the fall can stir up negative feelings around this as it is a ton of work and you want to enjoy the proverbial “fruits” of your labor.

By pairing plants up, you are taking that additional step to ensure success. So, once your goodies hit your kitchen — and eventually your plate — you’ll be that much happier for it.

natadm

Contributor

Explore

The Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery Services Right Now Featured-Lifestyle

The Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery Services Right Now

Food delivery services are all the rage right now. You no longer have to worry about grocery shopping or cooking food because these businesses deliver ready-to-eat foods straight to your home. While there are tons of services to sign up for, it can be hard to find ones that serve plant-based meals. Luckily, we found […]

Read More about The Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery Services Right Now

4 minute read

A Guide to Anti-Aging Skincare: Products, Tips, and Routine Beauty

A Guide to Anti-Aging Skincare: Products, Tips, and Routine

Caring for your skin is incredibly important at any age. But it becomes especially important as you grow older and your skin begins to change. As you age, your skin can undergo many different changes. It can become rougher, loosen as it loses elastin and collagen, and get thinner and more transparent. And on top […]

Read More about A Guide to Anti-Aging Skincare: Products, Tips, and Routine

7 minute read