{"id":6153,"date":"2023-05-22T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-22T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dev-dug.flywheelsites.com\/companion-planting\/"},"modified":"2025-05-06T18:26:55","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T18:26:55","slug":"companion-planting","status":"publish","type":"gardening_resources","link":"https:\/\/dug.org\/gardening-resources\/companion-planting\/","title":{"rendered":"Companion Planting Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

Companion planting is the practice of growing different crops near one another to enhance crop production, repel damaging pests, improve soil health, and promote biodiversity.<\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Three Sisters Garden<\/strong>
\nUtilizing companion planting also helps maximize your garden space, by pairing different types of plants, like tall plants to provide shade to smaller plants, vining plants like squashes to help with weed suppression, and flowering plants to attract beneficial insects. A great example of companion plantings is ancestral The Three Sisters Garden or Milpa, which includes corn, beans and squash. The corn provides a natural support trellis and shelter for beans, peas and other climbing crops. In return, these legumes provide nitrogen to the soil for the corn and squash plants. Squash and pumpkin leaves shade the smaller bean and pea plants that need sun protection and provide weed suppression.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”8761″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

Here is a list of the most crops and their preferred companions:<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Vegetable<\/b><\/td>\nPlant with<\/b><\/td>\nDo not plant with<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Beans<\/span><\/td>\nPotatoes, carrots, cucumbers, cauliflower, cabbage,<\/span><\/p>\n

summer savory, most other vegetables and herbs<\/span><\/td>\n

Onions, garlic,<\/span><\/p>\n

gladiolus<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Beans, Bush<\/span><\/td>\nPotatoes, cucumbers, corn, celery, summer savory,<\/span><\/p>\n

sunflowers, strawberries<\/span><\/td>\n

Onions<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Beans, Pole<\/span><\/td>\nCorn, summer savory<\/span><\/td>\nOnions, beets,<\/span><\/p>\n

kohlrabi, sunflower<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Beets<\/span><\/td>\nOnions, kohlrabi<\/span><\/td>\nPole beans<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cabbage Family (cabbage, cauliflower, kale,<\/span><\/p>\n

kohlrabi, broccoli)<\/span><\/td>\n

Aromatic plants, potatoes, celery, dill, chamomile, sage, peppermint, rosemary, beets, onions, thyme, lavender<\/span><\/td>\nStrawberries, tomatoes, pole beans<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Carrots<\/span><\/td>\nPeas, leaf lettuce, chives, onions, leek, rosemary,<\/span><\/p>\n

sage, tomatoes<\/span><\/td>\n

Dill<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Celery<\/span><\/td>\nLeek, tomatoes, bush beans, cucumbers, pumpkin, squash<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Corn<\/span><\/td>\nPotatoes, peas, beans, cucumbers, squash, pumpkin<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cucumbers<\/span><\/td>\nBeans, corn, peas, radishes, sunflowers<\/span><\/td>\nPotatoes, aromatic<\/span><\/p>\n

herbs<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Eggplant<\/span><\/td>\nBeans<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Leek<\/span><\/td>\nOnions, celery, carrots<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lettuce<\/span><\/td>\nCarrots and radishes (lettuce, carrots, and radishes<\/span><\/p>\n

make strong team grown together), strawberries, cucumbers<\/span><\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Onion\/Garlic<\/span><\/td>\nBeets, strawberries, tomato, lettuce, summer savory,<\/span><\/p>\n

chamomile, beans (protects against ants)<\/span><\/td>\n

Peas<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Parsley<\/span><\/td>\nTomatoes, asparagus<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Peas<\/span><\/td>\nCarrots, turnips, radishes, cucumbers, corn, beans,<\/span><\/p>\n

most vegetables, herbs (adds Nitrogen to soil)<\/span><\/td>\n

Onions, garlic,<\/span><\/p>\n

gladiolus, potatoes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Potato<\/span><\/td>\nBeans, corn, cabbage, horseradish (should be<\/span><\/p>\n

planted at corners of patch), marigold, eggplant (as a lure for Colorado potato beetle)<\/span><\/td>\n

Pumpkins, squash,<\/span><\/p>\n

cucumber, sunflower, tomato, raspberries<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Pumpkin<\/span><\/td>\nCorn<\/span><\/td>\nPotatoes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Radish<\/span><\/td>\nPeas, nasturtium, lettuce, cucumbers<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Soybeans<\/span><\/td>\nGrows with anything; helps everything<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Spinach<\/span><\/td>\nStrawberries<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Squash<\/span><\/td>\nNasturtium, corn<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sunflower<\/span><\/td>\nCucumbers<\/span><\/td>\nPotatoes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Strawberry<\/span><\/td>\nBush Beans<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tomatoes<\/span><\/td>\nChives, onion, parsley, asparagus, marigold, nasturtiums, carrots, limas<\/span><\/td>\nKohlrabi, potatoes, fennel, cabbage<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Turnip<\/span><\/td>\nPeas<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

Here is a list of the most commonly planted herbs and their preferred companions<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Herbs<\/b><\/td>\nCompanions and Effects<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Basil<\/span><\/td>\nCompanion to tomatoes; dislikes rue intensely; improves growth and flavor;<\/span><\/p>\n

repels mosquitoes and flies.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Beebalm<\/span><\/td>\nCompanions to tomatoes; improves growth and flavor.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Borage<\/span><\/td>\nCompanion to tomatoes, squash, and strawberries; deters tomato worm;<\/span><\/p>\n

improves flavor and growth.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Caraway<\/span><\/td>\nPlant here and there; loosens soil.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Catnip<\/span><\/td>\nPlant in borders; deters flea beetles.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chamomile<\/span><\/td>\nCompanion to cabbages and onions; improves growth and flavor.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chervil<\/span><\/td>\nRadishes; improves growth and flavor.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chives<\/span><\/td>\nCompanion to carrots; improves growth and flavor; plant around base of fruit<\/span><\/p>\n

trees to discourage insects climbing trunks.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Dill<\/span><\/td>\nDislikes carrots; improves growth and health of cabbage.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fennel<\/span><\/td>\nPlant away from the garden; most plants dislike it.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Garlic<\/span><\/td>\nPlant near roses and raspberries; deters Japanese beetle; improves growth and<\/span><\/p>\n

health; plant liberally throughout the garden to deter pests.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Horseradish<\/span><\/td>\nPlant at corners of the potato patch to deter potato bugs.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hyssop<\/span><\/td>\nCompanion to cabbage and grapes; deters cabbage moth; keep away from<\/span><\/p>\n

radishes.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Lamb\u2019s Quarters<\/span><\/td>\nThis edible weed should be allowed to grow in moderate amounts in the garden, especially in the corn.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lemon Balm<\/span><\/td>\nSprinkle throughout the garden.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Marigolds<\/span><\/td>\nThe workhorse of the past deterrents; plant throughout garden especially with<\/span><\/p>\n

tomatoes; it discourages Mexican bean beetles, nematodes, and other insects.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Mint<\/span><\/td>\nCompanion to cabbage and tomatoes; improves health and flavor; deters white cabbage moth.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Marjoram<\/span><\/td>\nPlant here and there in the garden; improves flavor.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nasturtium<\/span><\/td>\nCompanion to tomatoes and cucumbers.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Petunia<\/span><\/td>\nProtects beans; beneficial throughout the garden.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Purslane<\/span><\/td>\nThis edible weed makes good ground cover in the corn.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pigweed<\/span><\/td>\nOne of the best weeds for pumping nutrients from the subsoil, it is especially<\/span><\/p>\n

beneficial to potatoes, onions, and corn; keep weeds thinned.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Rosemary<\/span><\/td>\nCompanion to cabbage, bean, carrots, and sage; deters cabbage moth, bean beetles, and carrot fly.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rue<\/span><\/td>\nKeep it far away from sweet basil; plant near roses and raspberries; deters<\/span><\/p>\n

Japanese beetle.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Sage<\/span><\/td>\nPlant with rosemary, cabbage, carrots, beans, and peas; keep away from cucumbers; deters cabbage moth and carrot fly.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Summer Savory<\/span><\/td>\nPlant with beans and onions, improves growth and flavor; deters bean beetles.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tansy<\/span><\/td>\nPlant under fruit trees; companion to roses and raspberries; deters flying insects,<\/span><\/p>\n

Japanese beetles, stipend cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and ants.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Tarragon<\/span><\/td>\nGood throughout the garden.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Thyme<\/span><\/td>\nPlant here and there in the garden; it deters cabbage worms.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yarrow<\/span><\/td>\nPlant along borders, paths, near aromatic herbs; enhances essential oil<\/span><\/p>\n

production.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

Adapted from <\/span>Organic Gardening and Farming<\/span><\/i>, February 1972, pp. 32-33, 54, and <\/span>The Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening, <\/span><\/i>Rodale Press, Inc., 1978, pp. 233-235.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"featured_media":6154,"template":"","class_list":{"0":"post-6153","1":"gardening_resources","2":"type-gardening_resources","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"gardening_topic-gardening-basics","7":"season-spring","8":"season-summer"},"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dug.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/gardening_resources\/6153","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dug.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/gardening_resources"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dug.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/gardening_resources"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/dug.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/gardening_resources\/6153\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9706,"href":"https:\/\/dug.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/gardening_resources\/6153\/revisions\/9706"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dug.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6154"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dug.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6153"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}