What Vegetables are Good to Plant Together

One of the keys to a successful vegetable garden is planting compatible crops together. When you mix and match plants wisely, they can help protect each other from pests or allow each other to thrive in different growing conditions. So, what vegetables are good to plant together? Here are some ideas:

Companion Planting: The Basics

Companion planting is a technique where you plant different crops side by side that have complementary characteristics. For example, some plants offer natural pest control or soil nutrients while others need protection from pests or have specific soil requirements. Some common companion planting arrangements include:

Tomatoes and basil.

Carrots and radishes.

Cucumbers and corn.

Squash and beans.

Lettuce and spinach.

Peppers and onions.

Pest Control Pairings

Certain plants can help to deter pests and insects when planted together. For example:

Marigolds help to deter nematodes and other soil-borne pests.

Mint plants help to deter ants, aphids, and cabbage moths.

Borage plants attract beneficial insects like bees and repel tomato hornworms.

Garlic helps to deter many pests, including Japanese beetles, spider mites, and snails.

Chives help to deter carrot rust flies and protect against many fungal diseases.

Soil Health Groupings

Some vegetables require specific soil nutrients to grow well, and planting them with other crops can help to enrich the soil. Some common soil health groupings include:

Legumes like beans, peas, and lentils help to fix nitrogen in the soil, which can benefit other crops in the area.

Brassicas like kale, broccoli, and cabbage are heavy feeders and deplete the soil of nutrients quickly. Planting them with nitrogen-fixing legumes like clover or alfalfa can help to replace nutrients.

Root crops like carrots and beets benefit from loose, well-draining soil. Planting them with herbs like dill or chamomile can help to loosen the soil and improve drainage.

What to Avoid Planting Together

While there are many good vegetable combinations to plant together, there are also some crops that should be kept apart. For example, tomatoes and potatoes are both members of the nightshade family and can attract the same pests and diseases. It's best to keep them separate to avoid cross-contamination. Other combinations to avoid include:

Planting cucumbers and melons together can attract the same pests and diseases.

Planting beans and onions together inhibits the growth of both crops.

Planting sunflowers and other tall crops next to shorter crops can cause shading and stunting of the smaller plants.

Conclusion

By considering what vegetables are good to plant together, you can create a healthier, more productive garden. A little planning ahead can save you time, effort, and headaches in the long run. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, companion planting is a great technique to try!