Marigolds and beans make great companion plants in your garden – Image by KirrilyRobert
As I write this, it is August – the weather is hot, and most of the country is officially in a state of drought – but this won’t last forever. Take heart, and start planning your next garden, whether it is a fall garden, or next spring’s garden – the time to begin thinking about it is now. A little pre-planning for companion planting can mean the difference between a so-so harvest and lush, vibrant plantings that benefit each other.
Paired Planting to Prevent Pests
By placing some plants near each other they can actually help with pests – the dill plant repels the tomato moth, for example, and if your plants are being harassed by cabbage moths, plant them with rosemary, dill, mint, sage, oregano, or nasturtiums to repel these pesky pests. Check out this list for lots of plants you can pair together to get rid of the nasty bugs that hurt your precious veggies, while encouraging the good insects that pollinate and help them grow.
Companion Plants for Beans
Trying for a healthy bean harvest this year? There are a number of companion plants that will repel common bean-eating bugs.
- Marigolds, potatoes, nasturtiums, petunias or rosemary repel the Mexican bean beetle.
- Rhubarb repels the black fly.
- Marigolds prevent nematodes.
Asparagus Companion Plants
If the asparagus beetle is making your life miserable, plant tomatoes, marigolds or parsley.
Cabbage
Are pests eating more of your cabbage than you are? Try these companion plantings!
- Catnip repels aphids and the cabbage moth.
- Onions repel rabbits.
- Turnips or geraniums repel the cabbage worm.
- Dill and clover repel aphids and worms.
Carrot Companion Plants
Carrots often are troubled with the carrot fly, so drive it away with plantings of leeks, onions, rosemary, sage or chives. In an interesting twist, the carrots drive away the onion fly, so planting the two together provides protection for both.
Corn Companion Plants
When you plant radishes with corn, the radishes will repel corn borers.
Cucumber Companion Plants
Cucumber plants can benefit from using the following companion plants:
Thanks for this article, it is so informative! I featured your post on my Pinterest Monday section of my blog @ planprepareandprovide.com. Thanks!
I’m taking notes! My garden is undergoing a makeover and I hope to incorporate companion planting to make everything grow nice.