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:
- It saves space;
- It helps to protect your garden by allowing tougher plants to bear the brunt of the weather that your more delicate crops simply can’t handle;
- It helps with pest control, as it places plants these little critters may love, next to ones they can’t stand;
- Alternatively, it also helps with attracting beneficial insects and pollinators to your garden;
- It helps minimize disease issues since diseases can spread quickly in a garden that lacks diversity;
- It prevents erosion and helps with soil moisture, and;
- It assists in keeping the weeds out.
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.
