Companion Planting

Companion plants are plants that complement one another in terms of growth and production.

Companion planting chart

Definitions:

Friends (can be grown together)

Enemies (Should not be grown together)

Summer plants:

Basil:

Friends – Asparagus, beans, beets, bell peppers, cabbage, chilli peppers, eggplant, marigolds, oregano, potatoes, tomatoes

Enemies –None

Special notes - When basil is grown about 1 foot from tomato plants, it will increase the tomatoes yield. It also improves the flavour of lettuce

Beans:

Friends – Beets, carrots, cabbage, cucumbers, peas, radishes

Enemies –Onions

Special notes - Nesturcians and Rosemary deter bean beetles

Beets

Friends – Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bush beans, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, kohlrabi, onions

Enemies –

Special notes -

Broccoli

Friends – Basil, beets, bush beans, carrots, celery, cucumber, dill,  lettuce, onions, radishes, rosemary, sage, spinach, Swiss chard, thyme

Enemies – Climbing beans, peppers

Special notes - Rosemary repels the cabbage fly that is detrimental to broccoli

Beets

Friends – Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bush beans, cabbage, cauliflower, onions

Enemies –Pole beans

Special notes - Pole beans and beets will compete for growth. Composted beet leaves add magnesium to the soil when mixed. Magnesium plays an essential role in photosynthesis.

Cucumbers

Friends - carrots, carrots, parsnips, onions

Enemies - potatoes, mellons, mint

Note - The root vegetables primarily grow beneath the soil, whereas cucumbers send down one larger tap root and also a few shallow roots that don't extend far.

Radish

Friends – Beets, cabbage, carrots, chives, cucumbers, kale, lettuce, spinach, squash

Enemies –None

Special notes - Radish plants will work as a trap crop to protect against certain beetles.

Tomato:

Friends - Asparagus, carrots, celery, onions, parsley, peppers

Enemies – Dill. potatoes

Special notes - Basil, mint improve growth and flavour

Winter plants

Cabbage

Friends – Beets, celery, chard, lettuce, spinach, onions

Enemies –Tomato

Special notes – Mint and sage deter cabbage moths

Carrots

Friends - Beans, lettuce, onions, peas, peppers, tomatoes

Enemies - Dill

Special notes - Chives improve flavour, rosemary deters carrot flies

Onions

Friends - Cabbage, carrots, chard, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes

Enemies – Beans, peas

Squash

Friends - Beans, dill, peas, radishes, sunflowers

Special notes – Sunflowers can be used as trellises when growing squash in containers.

Zucchini

Friends - Beans, dill, garlic, oregano, peas, radishes, spinach

Useful companion plants for vegetables:

Dill and Basil – Dill and basil are natural protectants for tomato plants, keeping away hookworms.

Marigolds help virtually any vegetable. They are accommodating for tomatoes, repelling the nematodes that like to attack the roots of vegetables.

Mint repels both ants and cabbage moths.

Nasturtiums help prevent insects, particularly aphids, from attacking other plants. Aphids love Nasturtiums and will surround them instead of their neighbouring plants.

Zinnias are excellent companion plants and attract ladybugs into the garden. Ladybugs are known to control unwanted pests like cabbage flies