What is companion planting?

companion planting

​Some plants in your garden are going to grow better near each other because they are mutually beneficial. One example of this is the relationship between corn and beans. The beans love to climb up the tall corn stalks, and the corn loves the nitrogen provided by the beans. Both plants benefit from this pairing, so it makes sense to place them together. The same is true, however, about plants that do not work well together. Some crops inhibit the growth of others and they should not be planted near each other.

Here is a list of some common plants with what they do and do not grow well with:

Asparagus

  • Plant with: Basil, Beets, Lettuce, Parsley, Spinach, Tomatoes

Basil

  • Plant with: Asparagus, Eggplant, Peppers, Tomatoes

Beans

  • Plant with: Cabbage Family, Carrots, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Marigolds, Oregano, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Squash, Tomatoes
  • Don’t plant with: Chives, Garlic, Onions, Peppers

Beets

  • Plant with: Asparagus, Bush Beans, Cabbage Family, Garlic, Lettuce, Onions
  • Don’t plant with: Cucumber, Pole Beans 

Broccoli

  • Plant with: Beets, Celery, Cucumber, Dill, Garlic, Melons, Onions, Potatoes, Sage, Spinach, Thyme
  • Don’t plant with: Lettuce, Pole Beans, Tomatoes

Brussel Sprouts

  • Plant with: Beets, Celery, Cucumber, Dill, Garlic, Onions, Potatoes, Sage, Spinach, Thyme
  • Don’t plant with: Pole Beans, Tomatoes

Cabbage

  • Plant with: Beets, Celery, Cucumber, Dill, Garlic, Onions, Potatoes, Sage, Spinach, Thyme
  • Don’t plant with: Pole Beans, Tomatoes

Carrots

  • Plant with: Beans, Chives, Garlic, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Radishes, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Tomatoes
  • Don’t plant with: Dill, Parsley

Cauliflower

  • Plant with: Beets, Celery, Cucumber, Dill, Garlic, Onions, Potatoes, Sage, Spinach, Thyme
  • Don’t plant with: Pole Beans, Tomatoes

Celery

  • Plant with: Beans, Cabbage Family, Spinach, Tomatoes

Cucumber

  • Plant with: Beans, Beets, Cabbage Family, Lettuce, Marigolds, Onions, Parsley, Peas, Radishes, Tomatoes
  • Don’t plant with: Melons, Potatoes, Sage

Eggplant

  • Plant with: Basil, Beans, Garlic, Lettuce, Marigold, Peas, Peppers, Spinach, Thyme, Tomatoes
  • Don’t plant with: Potatoes

Kale

  • Plant with: Beets, Celery, Cucumber, Dill, Garlic, Onions, Potatoes, Sage, Spinach, Thyme
  • Don’t plant with: Pole Beans, Tomatoes

Lettuce

  • Plant with: Asparagus, Beets, Carrots, Chives, Cucumbers, Dill, Eggplant, Garlic, Onions, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Spinach, Tomatoes
  • Don’t plant with: Broccoli, Parsley

Melons

  • Plant with: Broccoli, Garlic, Marigolds, Oregano, Peas, Radishes, Squash, Tomatoes
  • Don’t plant with: Cucumbers, Potatoes

Onions

  • Plant with: Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Peppers, Spinach, Squash, Tomatoes
  • Don’t plant with: Beans, Peas

Peas

  • Plant with: Beans, Carrots, Cucumber, Eggplant, Lettuce, Melons, Parsley, Parsnips, Peppers, Radishes, Spinach, Turnips
  • Don’t plant with: Garlic, Onions, Potatoes, Scallion, Squash

Peppers

  • Plant with: Basil, Carrots, Eggplant, Garlic, Onions, Peas, Spinach, Tomatoes
  • Don’t plant with: Beans, Potatoes

Potatoes

  • Plant with: Beans, Broccoli, Garlic, Lettuce, Spinach, Radishes
  • Don’t plant with: Cucumber, Eggplant, Peppers, Melons, Peas, Tomatoes

Radishes

  • Plant with: Beans, Carrots, Cucumber, Lettuce, Melons, Peas, Potatoes, Spinach, Squash, Tomatoes

Spinach

  • Plant with: Asparagus, Cabbage Family, Celery, Eggplant, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Radishes, Tomatoes

Squash

  • Plant with: Beans, Marigolds, Melons, Onions, Oregano, Radishes

Tomatoes

  • Plant with: Asparagus, Basil, Beans, Carrots, Celery, Chives, Cucumber, Eggplant, Garlic, Lettuce, Melons, Onions, Parsley, Peppers, Radishes, Sage, Spinach, Thyme
  • Don’t plant with: Cabbage Family, Dill, Potatoes

(Cabbage Family = Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kale)