Contributed by Info Guru Heather Vecchioni
Looking to make your vegetable garden flourish this season?
If so, consider trying companion planting. This tried-and-true technique involves planting certain veggies near each other with the idea that they benefit one another. These benefits include keeping harmful insects away and providing essential nutrients. Implementing the idea of companion vegetables into your garden could provide you with the best crop you’ve ever had.
10. Broccoli and Dill
Planting broccoli and dill is a good idea, as the dill attracts beneficial wasps to the broccoli. Although these insects sound menacing, they actually help broccoli by keeping cabbage worms and other pests away.
9. Cauliflower and Peas
This pair may sound like an odd couple, but they actually work quite well with each other. Placing high-quality cauliflower seeds near your peas help keep the crunchy vegetable’s nitrogen levels sufficient, as the peas give it a steady supply.
8. Corn and Cucumber
Nothing says summer like corn and cucumber. Not only do these tasty treats go together well on your table, but they also work good in the garden, too. Corn protects cucumber from experiencing bacterial wilt, which can wipe our your cuke crop in a hurry.
7. Potato and Horseradish
Potato and horseradish sauce is a yummy combination, and the ingredients to this tasty dish – a root veggie and an herb — go great together in the garden, too. When planted close together, horseradish and potatoes help each other in a few ways; horseradish keeps potato bugs at bay and also encourages those spuds to get their grow on.
6. Spinach and Radish
Your tasty spinach plants are prone to experiencing damage by a variety of pests, including leafminers. However, when you plant radishes near your spinach, the leafminers will likely go for the radish leaves instead. And since you likely won’t eat radish leaves anyways, it doesn’t matter that the leafminers will; your radish is safe underground and your spinach leaves will be spared.
5. Leeks and Celery
These tasty treats are similar in flavor and texture. They are also helpful to each other in the garden. Leeks and celery both like growing in high potash soil and can help each other thrive.
4. Beans and Squash
Beans and squash are flavorful and an important aspect of just about anyone’s summer menu. They are also beneficial as garden buddies. Squash actually smothers weeds that grow around the beans and provides a living mulch, as their roots are deep, while the beans’ roots are shallow.
3. Asparagus and Parsley
Asparagus is a notoriously difficult vegetable to grow. Attempt to make the experience a little less challenging by planting multi-use parsley nearby. This tasty herb helps to repel asparagus beetles, which can seriously harm your stalks.
2. Cabbage and Onion
Cabbage and onion is a classic vegetable combination. Not only do they taste great together, but they also grow together really well. Onions help get rid of pests that are thinking about bothering your cabbage plants.
1. Carrots and Tomatoes
This friendly duo is perhaps the most popular example of companion planting. Carrot and tomato plants help each other in a variety of ways. Carrots leave nutrients in the soil that helps tomatoes grow and actually improves their flavor, as well. Carrots also help keep pests that like to bother tomatoes away.
Companion planting often prevents you from having to use pesticides and insecticides, which helps you to grow a healthy and organic garden that is not only good for you, but tasty, too.