## Companion Planting: A Guide to Growing Vegetables Together for Optimal Growth and Yield
Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves planting different species of plants together in order to benefit each other. By combining compatible plants, you can improve growth, enhance pest resistance, and increase yields. Here is a comprehensive guide to which garden vegetables grow well together:
### Vegetable Grouping and Compatibility
Brassicas (Cabbage Family):
– Compatible with: Beans, carrots, celery, dill, lettuce, onions, potatoes, rosemary, tomatoes
– Incompatible with: Asparagus, strawberries, tomatoes
Legumes (Bean Family):
– Compatible with: Brassicas, corn, cucumbers, onions, potatoes, squash, tomatoes
– Incompatible with: Asparagus, garlic, leeks, onions
Alliums (Onion Family):
– Compatible with: Beets, brassicas, carrots, celery, cilantro, lettuce, potatoes, spinach, strawberries
– Incompatible with: Asparagus, beans, peas
Solanaceae (Tomato Family):
– Compatible with: Asparagus, basil, carrots, celery, chives, corn, garlic, onions, oregano, parsley
– Incompatible with: Brassicas, potatoes
Cucurbits (Squash Family):
– Compatible with: Beans, corn, lettuce, sunflowers, tomatoes
– Incompatible with: Potatoes
Umbelliferae (Carrot Family):
– Compatible with: Brassicas, onions, potatoes, tomatoes
– Incompatible with: Beans, peas
Asteraceae (Daisy Family):
– Compatible with: Carrots, corn, legumes, onions, tomatoes
– Incompatible with: Potatoes
### Benefits of Companion Planting
Improved Growth: Some plants release nutrients that benefit neighboring plants. For example, beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which can be utilized by heavy feeders like corn.
Enhanced Pest Resistance: Certain plants, such as marigolds, emit scents that repel pests. Planting these plants near susceptible crops can help reduce pest pressure.
Increased Yields: By creating a balanced ecosystem, companion planting can foster healthier plants that produce higher yields.
Space Optimization: Companion planting allows for more efficient use of garden space by interplanting compatible species.
### Specific Companion Planting Combinations
Corn and Beans: Corn provides support for beans to climb, while beans fix nitrogen that benefits the corn.
Tomatoes and Basil: Basil releases a volatile compound that repels tomato hornworms.
Carrots and Onions: Onions repel carrot flies, while carrots break up the soil, making it easier for onions to grow.
Cucumbers and Sunflowers: Sunflowers attract beneficial insects that prey on cucumber beetles.
Asparagus and Tomatoes: Asparagus suppresses weeds and provides shade for tomato plants.
Garlic and Strawberries: Garlic repels aphids, mites, and other pests that can harm strawberries.
Lettuce and Carrots: Lettuce shades the soil around carrots, preventing them from becoming sun-scalded.
Broccoli and Dill: Dill attracts ladybugs that feed on aphids that attack broccoli.
### Planning and Tips for Companion Planting
Consider Plant Groupings: Group vegetables based on their compatibility and nutrient requirements.
Plan for Rotation: Rotate crop families in the garden each year to maintain soil health and prevent disease buildup.
Interplant: Plant compatible vegetables in rows or blocks side by side.
Use Barriers: Planting taller plants around more vulnerable species can create a physical barrier against pests.
Consider Vertical Space: Trellising or using hanging baskets can free up ground space and optimize companion planting.
### Companion Planting Chart
| Vegetable | Compatible Plants | Incompatible Plants |
|—|—|—|
| Beans | Corn, cucumbers, onions, potatoes, squash, tomatoes | Asparagus, garlic, leeks, onions |
| Brassicas | Beans, carrots, celery, dill, lettuce, onions, potatoes, rosemary, tomatoes | Asparagus, strawberries, tomatoes |
| Carrots | Beans, celery, onions, tomatoes | Lettuce |
| Celery | Brassicas, onions, potatoes, tomatoes | Lettuce |
| Corn | Beans, cucumbers, onions, potatoes, squash, tomatoes | Asparagus |
| Cucumbers | Beans, corn, lettuce, sunflowers, tomatoes | Potatoes |
| Garlic | Tomatoes, strawberries | Asparagus, beans, peas |
| Lettuce | Brassicas, carrots, onions, tomatoes | Lettuce |
| Onions | Beans, brassicas, carrots, celery, cilantro, lettuce, potatoes, spinach, strawberries | Asparagus, beans, peas |
| Potatoes | Brassicas, celery, tomatoes | Alliums, beans, peas |
| Squash | Beans, corn, lettuce, sunflowers, tomatoes | Potatoes |
| Strawberries | Garlic, onions | Brassicas, tomatoes |
| Tomatoes | Basil, carrots, celery, chives, corn, garlic, onions, oregano, parsley, sunflowers | Asparagus, brassicas, potatoes |