Companion Planting for Your Vegetable Garden

Just as humans thrive on companionship so do plants. Research has shown that a vegetable plant that is planted with a suitable companion will yield twice as much fruits and vegetables than if planted alone. The right combination of vegetables and herbs planted together will increase your harvest, reduce disease, discourages harmful insects and encourages the beneficial insects to pollinate and feed in your garden.

Some companionship planting with vegetables do have there draw backs, as some of the more sensitive vegetable plants are more fussy about who they are planted next to. Below you will find a simple guide to assist you with some of the more common combinations that should be followed when choosing companions for your vegetables.

Tomatoes- this particular plant will thrive the best if Basil or Parsley is planted around the base of the tomato plant. Both the tomato plant and the herb will yield high volume and they literally feed off of each other. Also like to be planted near carrots and onions.

Cucumbers- grows the best when planted near radishes and bush beans. Cucumbers do not do well when planted next to potatoes or herbs, so keep cucumbers far away from both potatoes and herbs of any kind. Also like to be planted near peas, corn and bush beans.

Beets- likes to be near bush beans and cabbage the best, but will also do well if planted next to lettuce and onions.

Corn- does the best when planted near cucumber and potatoes the most, but will do well with pumpkins and peas. Never plant corn near tomatoes, this will prevent the corn from maturing.

Squash- should be planted next to cucumbers and corn. Squash will yield more when planted near cucumbers; they also do well planted next to radishes.

Beans- do not plant beans near or around fennel or onions, they are poisonous to each other. Plant beans next to celery and cucumbers.

Lettuce- this vegetable grows great when planted with onions of any kind, but does not do well when planted next to potatoes. Strawberries, carrots, cucumbers and radishes are good companions as well.

Bell Pepper- this plant will get very high harvest if you plant an herb called Cinnamon Basil at the bell pepper's base. You will not only get a lot of huge bell peppers, but you will also have the most amazing herb that can be used in any dish.

Cabbage- does the best when planted next to or near bush beans, celery, tomatoes and all strong smelling herbs.

Corn- does the best when planted near cucumber and potatoes the most, but will do well with pumpkins and peas. Never plant corn near tomatoes, this will prevent the corn from maturing.

Personally I prefer to pair up my vegetables with all different kinds of herbs, like cinnamon basil, parsley, cilantro, lavender, lemon balm and rosemary to name a few. Another great tip for yielding a good crop is to maintain a good Ph in your soil. This can be accomplished by adding sand and miracle grow garden soil to the top soil when tilling it. You will also want to continuously use miracle grow plant food throughout your growing season, miracle grow has been proven to produce not only a higher yield, but larger fruits and vegetables.

References for this article came from my own personal experience and from www.gardeningknowhow.com and www.backyardgardener.com