What Is Companion Planting? With Chart & Guide

Companion planting is growing unlike plants together so they will be able to thrive. When you arrange a diverse group of plantings, let’s call them companions, they attract beneficial insects, or they might ward off insects to protect certain crops, as well as a certain crop might add an ingredient that is needed in the soil.

All plants can benefit from companion planting such as ornamentals, herbs, vegetables, and fruits. This is not a new concept, ever heard of the three sisters? This consists of corn, beans, and squash. The Corn is the tall sturdy trellis or support, the beans climb the corn and add nitrogen, while the summer squash shades them all and there is no need for mulch. The squash also can ward off insects and animals with its spiny leaves and vines.

Companion Planting Chart

Best Companion Plants

• We already talked about the three sisters Corn, beans, and squash

• Cucumbers, sunflowers, and pole beans. Last summer I planted my sunflowers and cucumbers together. The Sunflowers climbed up and around the sunflowers. I learned later on in the year that you should plant the sunflowers first, as they need to be able to support the cucumbers. We also used a trellis to support the cucumbers. The cucumber vines shield the ground.

• Sage with Carrots or cabbage. Sage can repel cabbage moths or carrot flies.

• Parsley & Tomatoes- Parsley, any kind of parsley. This helps attract beneficial insects that keep control of the bad bugs that might be eating your tomato plant. Also, you could grow some basil and garlic close by.

Benefits of Companion Planting

There are oh so many benefits of companion planting. Plants can attract beneficial insects and pollinators, deter pests, and act as insect repellents. How cool is that? Some can even fend off predators and undesirable wildlife. Did you know that Raccoons don’t like the smell of cucumber?

Some plants can play a role in soil fertility such as beans and comfrey. They might improve nutrient supplies, availability, or uptake from the soil. Plants like comfrey be used as organic mulch, loosen garden soil, and take up nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, potash, and calcium as the roots reach down into the soil like a dandelion.

Companion Planting With Herbs

Companion planting with herbs has several benefits. Not only can you use the herbs for many purposes, but they can trap and deter many bad bugs. Some herbs attract beneficial insects that will kill the bad bugs that might attack your plants.

These herbs are worth having in your garden:

• Basil
• Borage
• Chives
• Cilantro
• Lavender
• Mint
• Oregano
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme

If you allow some of the herbs to bloom they will do a better job for you.

Flowers As Companion Plants

So you want beauty in your garden and maybe to have some cut flowers. Some annuals such as nasturtiums, sunflowers, marigolds, and zinnias. Perennials such as lavender repel insects and attract beneficial bugs such as green lacewings, ladybugs, and wasps.

Flowers As A Beacon For Pollinators

When we planted our veggie garden last summer, I knew I wanted flowers mixed in with the other plants. This helps attract the beneficial insects to your garden to help pollinate and produce much more yield. The favorites of pollinators are daisies, zinnias, sweet alyssum, sunflowers, and cosmos. Not to mention that your garden will be more attractive, and all of these make wonderful cut flowers.

Flowers as a Deterrent For Problem Pests

Petunias are a God send! They repel squash bugs and tomato hornworms. Can you imagine? Petunias are also great companions for beans, corn, and tomatoes. What about marigolds? They repel so many little buggers. I am going to plant them all around my part shade garden this year. They repel cabbage worms. These are beneficial for cabbage, mustard greens, Brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli, swiss chard, and any other related veggies. Ornamental Alliums are fun! I planted some bulbs last fall. Now to see if they come up! Edible alliums such as onions, scallions, and chives; if left to seed, can deter deer, rabbits, aphids, cabbage looper, carrot flies, and potato beetles.

How And When To Plant Companion Flowers

If you want your flowers to be the most beneficial they need to be flowering at the same time as the vegetables. Sunflowers should be planted before you set out the cucumbers, so they can be tall enough to offer support. You can research when the bloom time will be, by checking the plant care guide or the seed package. If you plant things together with the same light and moisture requirements these plants will do better.

Plant each plant so that one doesn’t overshadow the other. If you have shorter flowers, you could use them as a border. Intersperse them as well, and watch them thrive.

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Which Vegetables Shouldn’t Be Planted Together?

Watch that you don’t plant anything together that could possibly cause problems. What are some reasons that you might not want to plant veggies close to each other? If they might compete for water, similar nutrients, sun, or space they should be planted farther away from each other.

Beans and onions shouldn’t be planted together since the onions, garlic and any edible alliums can cause the beans to not germinate. Fennel should be given its own plot of land as it isn’t a companion plant to anything. Weird, huh? Try planting all cruciferous plants at opposite ends of the garden if possible, as they all attract aphids, flea beetles, and cabbage loopers.

What plants have you found to help each other or repel bugs? Share with Our Eden community down below.

Blessings!

Kimberlee