COMPANION PLANTING GUIDE
Gardeners have been planting marigolds in the vegetable garden to repel pests for years, but there are many other companion planting combinations to try. Companion plants are selected upon their ability to enhance one another’s growth, flavour, pest and disease resistance, and weed suppression. Until recently, evidence of the benefits of companion planting has been largely anecdotal, but due to increased interest and research in organic growing methods, there is a growing body of controlled scientific data that substantiates what many have practiced for years.
Traditional Companions
| Crop | Traditional Friends (growth enhancers) | Traditional Enemies (growth hinderers) |
| Asparagus | Tomatoes repel asparagus beetle; parsley and basil help growth
| Onion family |
| Beans | Potatoes repel Mexican bean beetles; corn improves growth; rosemary repels insects; catnip repels flea beetles; celery helps growth | Onion family, fennel, gladiolus |
| Beets | Onion family repels insects
| Pole beans |
Cabbage family (broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi)
| Celery repels cabbage worms; onion family deters maggots, rosemary, sage, thyme repel insects | Pole beans, strawberries, tomatoes |
| Carrots | Peas add nutrients; onion family repels carrot flies; rosemary and sage repel insects
| Dill |
| Celery | Cabbage repels insects | Carrots, parsnips
|
| Corn | Beans and peas add nutrients; potatoes repel insects
| Tomatoes |
| Cucumbers | Radishes deter cucumber beetles; beans add nutrients
| Potatoes, sage |
| Eggplant | Green beans deter Colorado potato beetles; potatoes can be used as a trap plant
| None |
| Lettuce | Carrots, radishes
| None |
| Melons | Corn; nasturtiums and radishes repel cucumber beetles
| None |
Onion family (onions, leeks, garlic, shallots, scallions, chives)
| Beets, carrots | Beans, peas |
| Peas | Carrots, turnips | Onion family; gladiolus
|
| Peppers | Carrots | Fennel, kohlrabi
|
| Potatoes | Beans and corn repel insects; use eggplant as a trap plant | Apples, pumpkins, raspberries, tomatoes
|
| Pumpkins | Corn | Potatoes
|
| Radishes | Cucumbers repel insects, lettuce | Hyssop
|
| Spinach | Strawberries | Potatoes
|
| Squash | Corn | Potatoes
|
| Swiss chard | Onion family | Pole beans
|
| Tomatoes | Asparagus and basil repel insects; parsley helps growth
| potatoes |
Source: How Does Our Garden Grow? A Guide to Community Gardening Success
Adapted from: Marjorie B. Hunt & Brenda Bortz, High-Yield Gardening. (Emmaus, Pa.: Rodale Press, 1986)