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Companion Planting

By Gwen Nyhus Stewart

Companion plantings of some kind have been practiced throughout agricultural history. Some of the earliest written documents on gardening discuss these relationships. Early settlers discovered American First Nations people were using an interplanting scheme of corn-bean-squash that balanced the requirements of each crop for light, water, and nutrients. In the 1800’s, hemp (cannabis) was often planted around a cabbage field to keep away the white cabbage butterflies in Holland. In many parts of the world today, subsistence farmers and organic gardeners grow two or more crops simultaneously in a given area to achieve a certain benefit.

Companion planting is the practice of locating particular plants near one another because they enhance plant growth, discourage pests and diseases, or have some other beneficial effect. When selecting your companion plants consider more than which pests are deterred. Think about what each plant adds or takes away from the soil and what effect the proximity of strong herbs may have on the flavour of your vegetables. Avoid placing two heavy feeders or two shallow rooted plant types near each other.

Many gardeners find that they can discourage harmful pests, without losing the beneficial allies, when they use companion planting as an important part of an integrated pest management system. For example, chives or garlic planted between rows of peas or lettuce help control aphids. Marigolds planted throughout the garden discourage many insects. Rosemary, thyme, sage, catmint, hyssop, or mixtures of all three between rows of cabbage helps deter the white cabbage moth. Horseradish planted at the corners of potato patches deters the potato beetle. Garlic planted near roses repels aphids and Nasturtium planted around the garden also deters aphids.

As the limitations and ill effects of pesticides, chemical fertilisers, and other modern practices become more apparent, scientists and researchers have begun to look at the ‘old-fashioned’ method of gardening and farming. Companion planting can combine beauty and purpose to give you an enjoyable, healthy environment. In essence, companion planting allows us to help bring a balanced eco-system to our landscapes, allowing Nature to do its’ job.

Following is a basic plant guide. Keep in mind that some of the suggestions may work differently in various situations or not at all. Experiment and find out what works in your garden.

Companion Planting Chart

Herbs and Vegetables

Plants	Good Companions	Bad Companions
Basil	Marigolds, Peppers, Tomatoes	Rue
Bush Beans	Beets, Cabbage, Cucumbers, Peas, Radishes, Rosemary	Onions
Pole Beans	Carrots, Lettuce, Peas, Radishes	Beets, Onions
Beets	Bush Beans, Cabbage, Lettuce, Onion, Sage
Borage	Tomatoes, Squash, Strawberries
Cabbage Family	Bush Beans, Beets, Celery, Onions, Tomatoes	Strawberries
Carrots	Beans, Chives, Lettuce, Radishes, Rosemary, Sage	Dill
Chives	Carrots, Tomatoes
Chamomile	Cabbage, Cucumbers, Onion
Corn	Beans, Cucumber, Melons, Peas, Squash	Tomatoes
Cucumbers	Beans, Carrots, Corn, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, Radishes	No strong herbs
Dill	Cabbage, Cucumbers, Lettuce	Carrots
Fennel		Most plants dislike this herb
Flax	Carrots, Potatoes
Garlic	Raspberries, Roses
Horseradish	Potatoes
Hyssop	Cabbage, Grapes	Radishes
Lettuce	Beans. Carrots, Cucumbers, Onions, Radishes, Strawberries
Marjoram	Good to all vegetables
Marigolds	Plant throughout the garden
Mint	Cabbage, Tomatoes
Melons	Corn, Nasturtium, Radishes
Nasturtium	Cabbage, Cucumbers, Radishes, Tomatoes
Onion	Beets, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Cucumber, Lettuce	Beans, Peas
Oregano	Good to all vegetables
Parsley	Tomato
Peas	Beans, Carrots, Corn, Lettuce, Radishes, Turnips	Onions
Petunia	Beans
Pepper	Onion
Radish	Beans, Carrots, Cucumber, Lettuce, Melons, Peas, Squash
Rosemary	Beans, Cabbage, Carrots, Sage	Hyssop
Roses	Garlic
Sage	Beans, Cabbage, Carrots, Peas, Rosemary
Spinach	Cauliflower, Celery, Eggplant	Cucumbers
Squash	Corn, Onion, Radishes
Strawberry	Beans, Lettuce, Onion, Spinach	Cabbage
Thyme	Cabbage
Tomatoes	Basil, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Onion, Mint	Corn, Fennel

Remember:

“Avoid suspicion: when walking through your neighbour’s melon patch, don’t tie your

shoe.” - Chinese Proverb

“The only two herbicides we recommend are cultivation and mulching.”

- Organic Gardening Magazine

“To cherish what remains of the Earth and to foster its renewal is our only legitimate hope of survival.” - Wendall Berry

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Herbs and Vegetables

Plants

Good Companions

Bad Companions