Grow a Happy Garden: Companion Planting

When it comes to planting your vegetable or herb garden, there is one way to easily increase your chances for a bumper crop. All you need is a little knowledge about "companion planting" and some advance planning.

Companion planting has been around for centuries. In the days when chemical pesticides did not exist, farmers had to find more natural ways to keep harmful bugs from infesting their crops. Over time they began to realize that certain plants did better when planted with each other, sharing in their fight against harmful bugs, while others faired badly if placed too close together. Modern gardeners have continued to use and perfect this technique, which is called "companion planting."

When planning your garden, simply keep this chart in mind. The following outlines which plants would do best if planted together ("good companions"), and in most cases also advises you on which plants to plant apart ("bad companions").

Basil

Good companions: Pepper, Tomato, Marigold

Beans (Bush)

Good companions: Beets, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Lettuce, Pea, Radish, Strawberry, Savory, Tansy, Marigold

Bad companions: Onion, Fennel

Beans (Pole)

Good companions: Carrots, Corn Cucumber, Eggplant, Lettuce, Pea, Radish, Savory, Tansy

Bad companions: Onion, Beets, Fennel

Beets

Good companions: Beans (bush), lettuce, kohlrabi

Bad companions: Pole beans, Mustard

Broccoli and Cabbage

Good companions: Beans (bush), Beets, Celery, Onions, Tomato, Any Strong Herbs, Marigold, Nasturtium, Potatoes

Bad companions: Strawberry, Tomato, Pole Beans

Carrots

Good companions: Beans (bush and pole), Lettuce, Onion, Peas, Radish, Tomato, Sage

Bad companions: Dill

Celery

Good companions: Beans (bush), Cabbage, Onion, Spinach, Tomato

Cucumbers

Good companions: Beans (bush and pole), Corn, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, Radish, Marigold, Nasturtium, Sunflowers, Savory

Bad companions: Any strong herbs, Potatoes

Eggplant

Good companions: Beans (bush and pole), Spinach

Lettuce

Good companions: Beans (bush and pole), Carrots, Cucumbers, Onion, Radish, Strawberries

Onion

Good companions: Beets, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Cucumber, Lettuce, Pepper, Squash, Strawberries, Tomato, Savory

Bad companions: Beans (bush and pole), Peas

Parsley

Good companions: Tomato

Peas

Good companions: Beans (bush and pole), Carrots, Corn Cucumber, Radish, Turnips

Bad companions: Onion

Peppers

Good companions: Onion

Radish

Good companions: Beans (bush and pole), Carrots, Cucumber, Lettuce, Melons, Peas, Squash, Spinach

Bad companions: Cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Turnips, Kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts

Spinach

Good companions: Celery, Eggplant, Cauliflower

Squash

Good companions: Corn, Onion, Radish

Tomato

Good companions: Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Onion, Mint

Bad companions: Corn, Fennel, Cabbage, Cauliflower

If you use this companion planting information when planning your garden, you can increase your chances for a successful garden this year. Enjoy!