Introduction

Broccoli is a healthy and nutritious vegetable that belongs to the cruciferous family. It is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help to boost our immune system and protect us against a range of diseases. However, planting broccoli alone in your vegetable garden may not be enough to provide you with the variety of nutrients that you need. Therefore, it is essential to know what to plant with broccoli to maximize the benefits of your garden.

Companion Plants for Broccoli

Companion planting is the practice of growing two or more plants together that have a mutually beneficial relationship. Broccoli can benefit from planting alongside certain plants that can help to:

Provide shade and retain moisture in the soil

Attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs and bees

Repel harmful insects and pests

Add nutrients to the soil and improve soil health

Here are some of the best companion plants for broccoli:

1. Spinach

Spinach is a leafy green vegetable that is easy to grow and is a great companion plant for broccoli. It is rich in iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C, which makes it an excellent addition to your garden. Spinach can provide shade for the broccoli, retain moisture in the soil, and repel harmful insects such as aphids and spider mites.

2. Beans

Beans are nitrogen-fixing plants, which means they can add nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth, to the soil. Broccoli requires a lot of nitrogen to grow, so planting beans alongside it can improve soil health and increase broccoli yield. Beans also attract beneficial insects such as bees and contribute to weed control by shading the soil.

3. Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are a beautiful and edible flower that can be planted alongside broccoli to repel harmful insects such as aphids, whiteflies, and cabbage worms. They are also a source of vitamin C and can be added to salads for a peppery flavor. Nasturtiums attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs and can be used as a trap crop by planting them nearby to distract and lure harmful insects away from your broccoli.

Conclusion

Planting broccoli with companion plants can help to improve soil health, increase yield, repel harmful insects, and attract beneficial ones. Spinach, beans, and nasturtiums are some of the best companion plants for broccoli, but there are many other options to choose from. When planning your vegetable garden, make sure to consider the benefits of companion planting and experiment with different combinations to find what works best for you.