Vegetable and Herb Companion Planting

It’s the time of year when you should start thinking about planting your fall vegetables. Actually, we might be a week behind for some vegetables, but if your neck of the woods is anything like mine, summer came late, so hopefully we’re okay.

A great way to get a good harvest is to “companion plant.” That is, plant two different types of vegetables in close proximity to one another to create a symbiotic cultural environment. Just as there are beneficial insects that eat destructive insects or improve pollination, there are beneficial combinations of plants that help fight pests or increase yields.

Image by lalalaa Dolce Vita

Sometimes companion plants are used to draw pests away from the “good crop.” Sometimes companion plants are used because one plant adds something to the soil that the other plant needs. For example, legumes add nitrogen to the soil which can then benefit neighboring plants. Other plants literally exude natural chemicals that deter pests. Still other, taller companion plants can be used to shade more fragile or shade loving plants. If this sort of thing really fascinates you, definitely click on the sources below, as there is more detailed information as to how and why companion planting works.

Needless to say, there are lots of good reasons to companion plant, and they all apply to container gardens and other small space vegetable gardens. While companion planting is good for the vegetables and herbs involved, it is worth noting, that companion planting often looks better than a single vegetable plunked down in the middle of a pot with a lot of exposed dirt surrounding the base.

Here are some suggestions for fall companion plantings:

Cabbage, Broccoli and Cauliflower - Plant with aromatic herbs (mint is a traditional companion plant for cabbage), beets or chard, but not dill, strawberries, pole beans, or tomatoes.
Lettuce - Plant with radishes or carrots
Spinach - Plant with fava beans
Globe Onions - Plant with beets, carrots, lettuce and cabbage but not with beans or English peas
Turnips - Plant with English peas but not with Irish potatoes
Beets - Plant with lettuce, kohlrabi, onions, garlic, mint, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower but not with beans
Carrots - Plant with onions, chives, lettuce, leeks, shallots, rosemary, sage, and beans but not with dill, parsnip, tomatoes and radish
Leeks - Plant with carrots but not with beans or peas

NOTE: Sometimes one plant can help another to its own detriment, which explains why tomatoes should be planted with carrots if the tomato is the primary plant, but carrots should not be planted with tomatoes if the carrots are the primary plant (carrots help tomatoes but will have stunted growth because of it).

Do you have a time-tested vegetable or herb combination that works? I’d love to hear about it! Check out Mary’s companion vegetable list and see how it compares to your experience.

Sources: National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, Wikipedia and Ed Hume Seeds

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July 29, 2008 | Filed Under Fall Gardening, Fruits & Vegetables, Herbs

Comments

10 Responses to “Vegetable and Herb Companion Planting”

Angelia Buxton on September 14th, 2008 1:56 pm

This is such a big help to me since I am trying to get things to grow on my balcony. Thank you so much.

Angie
Fern on September 15th, 2008 9:33 am

Glad this info was helpful Angie!
Kathleen on September 25th, 2008 6:21 am

My mom always planted marigold flowers with tomatoes. I planted one this year with my two tomato plants and no bugs at all until my marigold plant died.
The Thing About September - Fall To Do List : Life on the Balcony on September 25th, 2008 10:03 am

[...] Plant cool weather ornamental and edible plants [...]
Tracy on September 30th, 2008 10:47 pm

I’m a total gardening novice with high hopes but not high expectations for a fall container garden - vegetables & flowers. I’m thinking I should just pick a few simple starter vegetables but don’t really know what grows best (read: easiest) this time of year in Las Vegas. I’m trying not to be overly ambitious, but I do have a 28′ patio that’s just dying for some beautiful greenery. I’d appreciate absolutely any suggestions you can offer.

Thanks,
Tracy Nelson
Fern on October 3rd, 2008 9:36 am

Tracy — I’m sorry, but I’ve never lived in a desert climate like Las Vegas. I have no experience or knowledge about growing in your locale. I did find this website from the University of Arizona extension which may be helpful to you.
Tracy on October 7th, 2008 7:36 pm

Thank you so much for the link. It has popped up a few times in searches, so I guess that is the best place to go for desert gardening. Wish me luck.

Tracy Nelson
Fern on October 8th, 2008 10:53 pm

Tracy — Sorry I could be of more use! Shoot me an email once you get your garden under way. I’d love to hear about your progress.
Gina on October 27th, 2008 12:24 pm

Here is a great article to help you get started on your own herb window garden.
Fern on October 27th, 2008 6:28 pm

Thanks for sharing that article from your site Gina, I’m off to check it out…