Companion planting is the means by which a gardener plants particular fruits or vegetables near each other in order to naturally increase productivity and ward off pests. The best known example of this is the Native American ‘Three Sisters’ method of planting Corn, Beans and Squash together. The beans fix nitrogen in the soil, improving the fertility of all the plants while using the corn as support for climbing. The squash, with its large leaves, acts as a mulch for the other two, keeping the soil moist and deterring pests with its spiny stems – three crops in one spot, nourishing each other.
Of course it works both ways. There are some plants which shouldn’t be planted together because they attract additional pests or diseases, or take all the nutrients out of the soil, so it’s equally as important to know which plants should be kept apart.
The below table is a (non-definitive) chart of which fruits and vegetables should and should not be planted together.
|
Plant |
Beneficial Companions | Plants to Avoid |
| Apple | Chives, Clover, Garlic, Leek, | Cedar |
| Asparagus | Basil, Coriander, Parsley, Tomatoes | Garlic, Onion, Potato |
| Basil | Asparagus, Oregano, Peppers, Tomatoes | Rosemary, Rue, Sage |
| Beans | Beets, Brassicas, Carrots, Corn, Cucumbers, Dill, Lettuce, Radish, Rosemary, Spinach, Strawberries, Summer Savory | Fennel, Garlic, Leeks, Onion, Peppers, Tomatoes |
| Beetroot | Basil, Brassicas, Chives, Garlic, Lettuce, Mint, Onions, | Beans |
| Blueberry | ||
| Broccoli | Celery, Chamomile, Dill, Garlic, Onions, Rosemary, Sage | Oregano, Peppers, Strawberries, Tomatoes |
| Cabbage | Beetroot, Dill, Garlic, Onions, Rosemary | Beans, Peppers, Strawberries, Tomatoes |
| Carrots | Beans, Chives, Garlic, Leeks, Lettuce, Onions, Rosemary, Sage, Tomatoes | Dill, Parsnip, Radish |
| Celery | Carrot, Corn, Parsley, Parsnip, | |
| Chamomile | Basil, Cabbage, Cucumber, Onion | |
| Chives | Apples, Brassicas, Carrots, Tomatoes | Beans, Peas |
| Coriander | Beans, Peas, Spinach | |
| Corn | Beans, Cucumbers, Melon, Parsley, Peas, Potato, Squash, | Celery, Tomato |
| Cucumber | Beetroot, Carrots, Dill, Peas, Radish | Sage, Tomato/Potato? |
| Dill | Cabbage, Corn, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Onion | Carrots, Tomatoes |
| Fennel | Dill | Avoid most other plants |
| Garlic | Apple, Beetroot, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Tomatoes | Asparagus, Beans |
| Grapevine | Beans, Blackberry, Brassicas, Chives, Peas | |
| Leek | Apples, Carrots, Celery | Beans, Peas |
| Lettuce | Beans, Carrots, Radish | Cabbage, Celery, Parsley |
| Melon | Corn, Radish | Potato |
| Mint | Brassicas, Tomatoes | |
| Onions | Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Tomatoes | Beans, Parsley, Peas |
| Oregano | Basil, Peppers, Tomatoes | |
| Parsnips | Garlic, Onion, Pea, Pepper, Potato, Radish | Carrot, Celery |
| Peas | Beans, Carrots, Celery, Corn, Cucumber, Parsley, Radish, Spinach, Strawberry | Chives, Grapes, Onions, Potatoes |
| Peppers – chilli Peppers – sweet |
Basil, Carrots, Onions, Parsley, Tomatoes, | Apricot, Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Fennel |
| Potato | Brassicas, Carrot, Celery, Corn, Peas, Onion | Asparagus, Cucumber, Fennel, Parsnip, Squash, Tomato |
| Radish | Beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Cucumber, Lettuce, Melons, Parsnip, Peas, Spinach, Squash | Brassicas, Turnips |
| Raspberry | Tansy | |
| Rosemary | Beans, Cabbage, Carrots, Sage | Basil |
| Sage | Beans, Cabbage, Carrots, Rosemary | Onion |
| Spinach | Beans, Peas | |
| Squash | Beans, Corn, Radish | Potato |
| Strawberries | Beans, Borage, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, Thyme | Brassicas |
| Tomatoes | Asparagus, Basil, Carrots, Celery, Chives, Garlic, Onion, Oregano, Parsley, Peppers | Beetroot, Brassicas, Corn, Dill, Fennel, Peas, Potatoes, |
| Thyme | Brassicas | |
