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It ’s a fact . Strategic provision is part of any good garden intent , and companion planting is one of the good strategies to assist nurseryman do more with any space , no matter how vainglorious or how small .
Companion planting , as limit by theOxford English Dictionary , is “ the close planting of different plants that enhance each other ’s ontogenesis or protect each other from plague . ” Taller plants , for example , can provide shade for ones closer to the ground , and some plants ( hello , marigolds and Nasturtium ! ) can repel pestilence for their neighbors .
Marigolds, like the‘Red Marietta’and‘Harvey’s Honor’are excellent companions for vegetables.
Yes , plant wave with friendships too !
Companion Planting Benefits
TheOld Farmer ’s Almanaccites numerous benefit to engraft sealed crop together :
And while there are innumerable positive pairings of plants — entire books are devoted to the theme — some combinations arise to the top more often than others .
Companion Planting for Vegetables
So what are a few of the tried - and - unfeigned companion plant for veg in any garden ?
Basilprotects tomato plant plants by thwarting common garden pests .
A reliable workhorse in the garden , themarigoldbenefits many vegetable crops , especially tomatoes , by pretend as a “ sand trap crop ” for aphid .
Marigolds, like the‘Red Marietta’and‘Harvey’s Honor’are excellent companions for vegetables.
Thymecan deter spud beetles , making it a perfect conjugation for potato plants .
Another “ yap crop , ” the colorfulnasturtiumattracts aphid and thus prevents them from attacking other plant .
Zinniablooms attract ladybugs , which fee on cuss like aphids .
Diane’s Garden at Heritage Farm
Companion Planting at Heritage Farm
Here at Heritage Farm , Diane ’s Garden , planned and run each year ( for more than 30 days ! ) by Diane Ott Whealy , SSE co - founder , showcases a variety of companion - plant sexual union each spring and summer .
In 2021 , for example , visitors found beautiful‘Red Marietta ’ marigoldsthriving next to hearty‘Black Magyar ’ capsicum pepper plant , colorful‘Bull ’s Blood ’ beetsprospering next to striking violet vervain flowers , and gorgeous empurpled wampum thrive next to gloriously pink‘Amish Cockscomb . ’
“ Everything has a function in my garden , whether for attracting pollinators , for producing food , or for creating ravisher , ” says Diane succinctly . ( Her go - to imagination when she is seeking a heavy pairing?Great Garden Companionsby Sally Jean Cunningham . )
Marigolds and parsley are featured “companions” in a raised bed in Diane’s Garden at Heritage Farm.
Diane ’s Garden has also long been home to many volunteer like‘Kiss - Me - Over - the - Garden - Gate’flowers and‘Grandma Einck’s’dill , and Diane praises these garden volunteers as her unspoilt companion . “ I really respect the volunteer because I know that when they come up , it is safe to put my garden in , ” she says . “ I find out so much from them . ”
volunteer apart , what are some of Diane ’s favorite garden combination ? “ I care them all , ” she say . “ I do n’t really have favorites . ”
She does , however , have some go - to crops . Carrotsare a must in her garden : “ The foliage is beautiful , and you’re able to utilize it to draft a box seat or a pot , ” she says . ( And , yes , she notes , carrots do honey tomatoes . )
She favorsokrafor its “ interesting foliation and sculpture - like growth ” andzucchinifor its blossoms . And basil , especially‘Globe ’ Basil the Great , will always be on her garden short list , as willborage , verbena , snapdragon , and the marvelously hard - working marigolds .
“ I have never seen flowers , herbs , and vegetables that did not look beautiful together , no matter how they are planted , ” says Diane .
Want to get a line more ? FromGreat Garden Companionsto the classicCarrots Love Tomatoes , there are many dandy imagination on companion planting available for anyone who wants to delve deeper into this topic .
Originally published January 28 , 2022 . Updated January 23 , 2025 .
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