Companion Planting

June 20, 2015July 28, 2015 Tracy Knutsen

I’ve created my first raised bed garden this year! As a “tester” it’s not very big and I am still growing in containers, too.

To make sure the select few plants that step up to be guinea pigs have a fighting chance, I wanted to make sure they were as strong and disease/pest-free as possible. Organically, that means smart companion planting! By using companion planting, many are discovering that they can discourage garden pests without harming helpful insects such as bees and ladybugs.

My little garden has tomatoes, oregano, basil and red bell peppers. I also planted marigolds in the border to help with bugs and such.

The following is a list of vegetable and herbs which grow well together and protect one another from insect attack. Many herbs are natural insect repellents that can keep your garden bug free and reduce or eliminate the need for potentially harmful pesticides. Some herbs even improve the flavor or growth rate of their companion vegetables. Companion planting is the ultimate way to bring the balance of nature into your garden.

BASIL: Plant with tomatoes to improve growth and flavor and to repel flies and mosquitoes.

BEE BALM (Oswego): Plant with tomatoes to improve growth and flavor.

BORAGE: Companion plant for tomatoes, squash and strawberries. Deters tomato worms.

CARAWAY: Good for loosening compacted soil.

CATNIP: Deters flea beetles.

CHAMOMILE: Improves flavor of cabbages and onions.

CHERVIL: Companion to radishes for improved growth and flavor.

CHIVES: Improves growth and flavor of carrots.

DILL: Improves growth and health of cabbage. Do not plant near carrots.

FENNEL: Most plants dislike it. Plant to itself.

FLAX: Plant with carrots, and potatoes.

GARLIC: Plant near roses to repel aphids.

HORSERADISH: Plant in potato patch to keep away potato bugs.

MARIGOLDS: The workhorse of pest deterrents. Keeps soil free of nematodes; discourages many insects. Plant freely throughout the garden.

MARJORAM: Improves flavor of all vegetables.

MINT: Deters white cabbage moths, and improves the health of cabbage and tomatoes.

NASTURTIUMS: Plant with tomatoes, radishes, cabbage, cucumbers, and under fruit trees. Deters aphids and pests of curcurbit family.

PARSLEY: Plant and sprinkle on tomatoes, and asparagus.

PEPPERMINT: Repels white cabbage moths.

PETUNIAS: Remember mom or grandma planting these? She had good reason, even though she may have only planted them for tradition’s sake. They repel the asparagus beetle, tomato worm and general garden pests. Also, a good companion to tomatoes, but plant everywhere.

ROSEMARY: Companion plant to cabbage, beans, carrots and sage. Deters cabbage moths, bean beetles, and carrot flies.

SAGE: Companion plant with rosemary, cabbage, and carrots to deter cabbage moths, beetles, carrot flies. Do not plant near cucumbers.

SUMMER SAVORY: Plant with beans and onions to improve growth and flavor. Discourages cabbage moths.

TARRAGON: Plant throughout the garden, not many pests like this one.

THYME: Deters cabbage worms.

WORMWOOD: Keeps animals out of the garden when planted as a border.