Companion Planting

Why do some plants associate with others to their mutual benefit?

It’s long been observed that planting certain crops close together can enhance the growth of each one, much more than any other factor.

What is this mysterious factor?

Some plants grow better with a friend...

Companion planting involves a lot more than any one thing.

The combination of certain chemicals exuded by the roots of marigolds for instance has been very effective in eliminating certain types of nematodes that otherwise will damage the roots of plants.

Planting carrots alternating with onions or garlic has profited both crops.

It’s thought that the smell of the allium hides the scent of the carrot foliage, making it more difficult for insects to find them, effectively eliminating the carrot fly damage that can make pulling your crop so disheartening.

The carrot fly larvae burrow into the carrots, making them extremely unappetizing, and they can't be stored without turning to mush.

In exchange, the carrot performs the same service to the onions, preventing damage from the onion fly. This is definitely a win/win situation.

Over the years, it’s become apparent that there are some plants that gain by being planted close together, and some that obviously dislike each other intensely.

Pinning down the combinations of those plants that benefit from close association is an art, and a science.

Remember that successful companion planting will depend on several factors, some of which we don’t know enough about yet, but this chart will help you make a decision on which plants to associate with others and also which to avoid planting close by.

Plant	Good Companions	Bad Companions
Basil	Pepper, Tomato, Marigold
Bush Beans	Beets, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Lettuce, Pea, Radish, Strawberry, Savory, Tansy, Marigold	Onion
Pole Beans	Carrots, Corn Cucumber, Eggplant, Lettuce, Pea, Radish, Savory, Tansy	Beets, Onion
Beets	Bush Beans, Cabbage, Onion, Sage
Cabbage Family	Bush Beans, Beets, Celery, Onions, Tomato, All Strong Herbs, Marigold, Nasturtium	Strawberry
Carrots	Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Lettuce, Onion, Peas, Radish, Tomato, Sage	Dill
Celery	Bush Beans, Cabbage, Onion, Spinach, Tomato
Corn	Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Cucumber, Melons, Peas, Squash	Tomato
Cucumbers	Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Corn, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, Radish, Marigold, Nasturtium, Savory	No Strong Herbs
Eggplant	Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Spinach
Lettuce	Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Carrots, Cucumbers, Onion, Radish, Strawberries
Melons	Corn, Nasturtium, Radish
Onion	Beets, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Cucumber, Lettuce, Pepper, Squash, Strawberries, Tomato, Savory	Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Peas
Parsley	Tomato
Peas	Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Carrots, Corn Cucumber, Radish, Turnips	Onion
Pepper	Onion
Radish	Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Carrots, Cucumber, Lettuce, Melons, Peas, Squash	Hyssop
Spinach	Celery, Eggplant, Cauliflower
Squash	Corn, Onion, Radish
Strawberry	Bush Beans, Lettuce, Onion, Spinach	Cabbage
Tomato	Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Onion, Mint	Corn, Fennel