Category: Complimentary

Good Companions, Bad Companions

2/21/2023

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Plants

Good Companion

Bad Companion

Artichoke

Marigolds, Sweet Alyssum, Tarragon, Thyme, Violets, Yarrow

Tomatoes, Potatoes

Asparagus

Basil, Cilantro, Dill, Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Oregano, Parsley, Peppers, Sage, Thyme, Tomatoes

Fennel, Garlic Onions, Potatoes

Basil

Anise, Asparagus, Beans, Borage, Carrots, Chamomile, Cilantro, Garlic, Marigold, Oregano, Parsley, Peppers, Potatoes, Tomatoes

Cucumber, Fennel, Lavender, Mint, Sage

Beans, Broad

Cabbage, Catnip, Corn, Cucumbers, Potatoes, Radishes, Rosemary

Broccoli, Cauliflower, Chives, Cress, Garlic, Kale, Leeks Mustard, Onions

Beans, Bush

Beets, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chard, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Larkspur, Lettuce, Lovage, Marigold, Parsnip, Peas, Potatoes, Radish, Rosemary, Strawberries, Savory, Sunflower, Tansy

Basil, Chives, Fennel, Garlic, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Onions, Shallots

Beans, Pole

Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Larkspur, Lettuce, Lovage, Marigold, Peas, Potatoes, Radish, Rosemary, Strawberries Savory, Tansy

Basil, Beets, Chives, Fennel, Garlic, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Onions Shallots, Sunflower

Beets

Bush Beans, Cabbage Family, Garlic, Lettuce, Lima, Bean, Onion, Radish, Sage

Mustard, Pole Beans

Broccoli

Basil, Bush Beans, Chamomile, Cucumber, Dill, Garlic, Lettuce Marigold, Mint, Onion, Potato, Radish, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme

Eggplant, Grapes, Mustard, Oregano, Strawberry, Tomato

Cabbage

Bush Beans, Beets, Carrot, Celery, Chamomile, Cucumber, Dill, Lettuce, Marigold, Mint, Nasturtium, Onions, Potatoes, Rosemary, Sage, Spinach, Thyme

Basil, Pole Beans, Strawberry, Tomatoes

Carrots

Beans, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Chives, Lettuce, Leek, Onion, Peas, Radish, Rosemary, Sage, Tomato

Celery, Dill, Parsnip

Cauliflower

Beans, Celery, Oregano, Peas, Tomato

Strawberries

Celery

Bush Beans, Cabbage, Chives, Dill, Leeks, Marjoram, Rosemary, Tomatoes

Carrot, Parsley, Parsnip, Potato

Chives

Basil, Carrots, Marigold, Parsley, Parsnip, Strawberries, Tomato

Beans

Corn

Beans, Beets, Cabbage, Cantaloupe, Cucumber, Melons, Parsley, Peas, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Squash, Sunflowers

Tomato, Celery

Cucumber

Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Cabbage Family, Carrots, Corn, Dill, Eggplant, Lettuce, Marigold, Nasturtium, Onions, Peas, Radish, Tomato, Savory, Sunflower

Basil, Potatoes, Rosemary, Sage, Strong Herbs (intense flavors such as rosemary and sage)

Dill

Cabbage Cucumbers, Dill, Fennel, Lettuce, Onion

Carrot, Coriander, Tomato

Eggplant

Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Catnip, Garlic, Mint, Peas, Peppers, Potato, Spinach, Thyme, Tomatoes

Fennel

Garlic

Brassicas, Beets, Cabbage, Cane Fruits, Celery, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Potatoes, Roses, Tomatoes

Beans, Peas

Grapes

Hyssop

Cabbage, Radishes

Kale

Dill, Garlic, Mint, Nasturtium, Onions, Potatoes, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme

Basil, Strawberries, Tomatoes

Kohlrabi

Onions, Beets

Pole Beans

Leeks

Carrots, Celery, Lettuce, Onions

Beans, Peas

Lettuce

Carrots, Corn, Cucumbers, Dill, Fennel, Pole Beans, Potatoes, Radishes, Strawberries

Cauliflower, Kale, Garlic, Onions

Marigold (Calendula)

Broccoli, Cucumber, Peppers, Tomato, and many others

Melon

Corn, Marigolds, Nasturtium, Pigweed, Pumpkin, Radish, Squash, Summer Savory, Sunflowers, Tomatoes

Potato

Nasturtiums

Apples, Beans, Cabbage, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Radishes, Squash, Cucumbers, Tomatoes

Okra

Chervil, Onion with Beets, Cabbage Family, Carrots, Celery, Cucumber, Dill, Lettuce, Parsnip, Peppers, Savory, Spinach, Squash, Strawberries, Tomato, Turnip

Asparagus, Beans, Peas, Sage

Oregano

All Plants

Parsley

Apple trees, Asparagus, Beans, Brassicas, Chives, Corn. Pear trees, Peppers, Roses, Tomato

Carrots, Dill, Garlic, Lettuce, Mint, Onions, Shallots

Peas

Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Carrots, Celery, Chicory, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Mint, Parsley, Radish, Spinach, Strawberry, Sweet Pepper, Turnips

Chives, Leeks, Onions, Shallots, Garlic, Potatoes

Peppers

Basil, Bee Balm, Carrots, Eggplant, Onions, Parsley, Tomatoes, Sunflowers

Beans, Brussel Sprouts, Kale

Potatoes

Basil, Bush Bean, Cabbage family, Carrots, Cauliflower, Chard, Cilantro, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Garlic, Horseradish, Lettuce, Marigold, Onion, Oregano, Parsnip, Pea, Radish, Rosemary, Strawberry, Summer Savory

Cucumber, Fennel, Kohlrabi, Melons, Parsnip, Pumpkin, Rutabaga, Squash Family, Sunflower, Tomato, Turnip

Pumpkins

Corn, Dill, Marigold, Nasturtium, Oregano, Peas, Radishes, Sunflowers

Brassicas, Brussels, Kale, Kohlrabi, Potatoes Sprouts

Radish

Beans, Beets, Carrots, Chervil, Cucumber, Lettuce, Melons, Nasturtium, Parsnips, Peas, Spinach, Squash

Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Hyssop, Kohlrabi, Potato, Sunflowers, Tomatoes, Turnips

Raspberries

Chamomile, Chives, Garlic, Leeks, Nasturtiums, Onions

Eggplant, Potato, Tomatoes

Spinach

Celeriac, Celery, Corn, Eggplant, Cauliflower, Peas, Beans, Strawberries

Potatoes

Squash

Beans, Catnip, Corn, Onion, Mint, Radish, Tansy

Pumpkins, Potatoes

Strawberries

Borage, Bush Beans, Garlic, Lettuce, Nasturtium, Onion, Peas, Radish, Spinach, Sage, Thyme

Cabbage, Potato

Sunflowers

Cucumbers, Pumpkins, Squash

Potatoes

Tomatoes

Asparagus, Basil, Bean, Bee Balm, Cabbage Family, Carrots, Celery, Chive, Cucumber, Garlic, Lettuce, Marigold, Mint, Nasturtium, Onion, Parsley, Pepper, Rosemary, Sage

Pole Beans, Corn, Dill, Fennel, Potato, Walnut Trees

Turnips

Peas, Peppermint, Sage

Beets, Carrots, Parsnips, Potatoes

Didn't find what you are looking for? Something missing from the list? Let me know and I will add the request to the information in this chart.

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Companion Plants - Won’t You Be My Neighbor

2/16/2023

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"Bad neighbors are a curse, good neighbors are a blessing."

The same is true for plants.
Some plants work well together, while others hinder the growth of their companions.

There is an art and science to growing a variety of plants together. Each plant has specific requirements for growth: sun, soil, nutrients, and pest control.
The science comes to play when determining which plants compliment other’s growth and well-being.

The art is the beauty of design within these parameters. (Vegetable gardens don’t have to be ugly)
This practice of growing different types of plants together for their mutual benefit (symbiotic relationship) is called Companion Gardening.

A good example of this practice is the Three Sisters developed by the Native Americans. This trio consisted of Maize (corn), climbing beans, and winter squash. These three plants make great neighbors. The corn is tall making it a good support for the climbing beans.

The low-growing squash chokes out weeds, shades the ground keeping moisture in the ground, and it has these marvelous prickly weeds that pesky pests hate. The fast-growing beans contribute nitrogen to the soil (nitrogen fixers) helping the companions of this trio remain healthy.

As you see, there are many reasons why it is beneficial to plant certain plants together. Here are just a few:

1) Pest control
There are plants that repel pests. Borage repels tomato hornworm.

2) Attract good bugs
Yes, some insects are beneficial, and we want them in the garden. Summer savory attracts honeybees. Onions and nasturtiums attract beneficial insects that will feed on cucumber beetles.

3) Provide shade
There are plants that require more shade than others. Planting tender crops under the shadow of tall neighbors provides protection from the sun. A plant umbrella is handy.

4) Support
We all need support at times. Some plants just can’t stand on their own. It is nice to use plant neighbors to lend a hand.

5) Improve plant health
The chemistry of the soil can be changed by planting certain plants to help the needs of other plants without the use of chemicals.

6) Improve soil fertility
There are givers and there are takers. The soil needs to be replenished so plants that require much can flourish. Gardens are often lacking nitrogen. By planting nitrogen fixers with nitrogen users, soil is naturally replenished.

7) Weed suppression
Low growing and sprawling plants choke weeds. They make great companions for those tall, upright plants.

8) Enhance flavor
If vegetable weren’t tasty enough already, planting certain companions can improve flavor. Thyme planted near strawberries is said to enhance flavor.

When planting tomatoes, consider the problems you may encounter. Munching pests such as tomato hornworms are deterred by borage, garlic, chives, and onions. Basil and marigold are good plants who like each other and help tomatoes grow. Basil also can help enrich the flavor of ripe tomatoes.

Asparagus repels tomato nematodes. And Cilantro deters spider mites.

Members of the Brassica Family (cabbage, broccoli, kale) are prey to cabbage maggots.

Radishes and marigolds planted alongside cabbage help deter these root attacking pests. Adding chives to this combo sends slugs packing. Cabbage moth caterpillars take exception to borage, while calendula captures aphids by producing a sticky substance that attracts these little buggers.

Unfortunately, not all plants get along. Just because the plants look nice together, doesn’t mean they should be placed near each other. Fennel is one of those plants that just has trouble getting along with others. Be careful where you place this flavorful specimen.

Deciding which plants should go where gets a bit more complicated. Remember how it is when you introduce two of your friends. Sometimes they don’t hit it off and you are stuck in the middle with conflict all around. When looking at your companion plants, you need to see if your chosen few get along with each other as well.

It can be overwhelming, but don’t be discouraged. Start where you are; learn as you go. If something doesn’t work, try something else. Learn from the mistakes of others. Gardening should be a joy. It is a way to commune with nature and enjoy the beauty of living, breathing, and interacting with God’s green earth.

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February – Get Up and Get Ready

1/30/2023

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The beds are designed and waiting for construction. You can’t wait to get your hands dirty, but the weather is not cooperating with your goals.
Cold, rainy days are the perfect time to decide what you want to put in those beds.

As you put your mind to growing, what is it that you see in your garden? What vegetables and herbs do you often use in your cooking?
The usual garden staples are tomato, carrots, radish, lettuce, and zucchini. But there are so many more. It is okay to start small, then work bigger as you gain confidence and experience.

How much should you grow? How big is your household? Do you want enough to share? How much space do you have?
Overcrowding is a common mistake. We all need some breathing room, and so do your plants.
Spacing for row gardens and raised beds vary. I use a modified square foot garden. I have discovered a bit more space does well in our humid Texas summers.

There are many recommendations as to how much to plant per person. We are a household of two, empty nesters we are, but I plan on sharing with the kiddos. So, I am planning on 4 people to begin.

Once you know what you want to grow, decide where you want to place each plant.
There are a few essentials to consider. Each plant needs to have enough space. I draw a grid for each garden box, 1 foot square. Then I loosely follow the recommended spacing lined out for square foot gardening.

Each plant has specific needs for how much light it needs. Most plants need at least 6 to 8 hours per day. Hopefully, you garden location has already taken this under consideration.

Another important consideration are companions. There are those bothersome neighbors, such as fennel, which do not play nice with others. And then there are the good neighbors who help with growth and protection.

Arrange the plants on a grid so that when you are ready to plant, you will know exactly where each should go.

This is my approach:

Choose your main plant.

  How much space does it need?
  For this example, I chose tomato plants.
  Tomatoes need one square foot.
On average, they grow to be 2-3 ft tall, so I placed the plants in the center of the bed.

Choose your companion plants.

  Make sure they are good companions with each other as well.
  Basil and marigold are good plants who like each other and help tomatoes grow.
  Basil planted in the same bed can help enrich the flavor of ripe tomatoes.

Add variety and beauty.

  Again, make sure everyone gets along.
  There is nothing worse that placing plants together that hate each other.
  Neither will grow well.
  I added Garlic, chives, and onions. They just sound good with tomatoes,
  and they help to deter munching pests such as slugs and snails