Companion planting is like matchmaking for your garden—certain plants thrive when grown together, while others struggle. The right combinations can deter pests, improve soil health, and even enhance flavor.
If you’re looking to get the most out of your garden, here are 8 companion planting layouts that will help you grow healthier, more productive plants.
1. The Three Sisters Layout
A time-tested Native American planting method, the Three Sisters layout combines corn, beans, and squash in one bed.
The corn provides support for climbing beans, the beans fix nitrogen in the soil, and the squash shades the ground to reduce weeds and retain moisture. This layout is a powerhouse for sustainable gardening and soil improvement.
2. The Tomato & Basil Bed
Tomatoes and basil aren’t just a great pair in the kitchen—they also work wonders in the garden.
Basil repels common tomato pests like aphids and hornworms while improving the flavor of the tomatoes. Plant them together in a raised bed or container for a compact, high-yield garden space.
3. The Carrot & Onion Row
Carrots and onions make excellent companions because they help protect each other from pests.
Onions deter carrot flies, while carrots confuse onion maggots, making it harder for pests to take hold. This layout works well in narrow raised beds or row plantings.
4. The Cabbage & Nasturtium Patch
Cabbage family crops, like broccoli and kale, often attract aphids and caterpillars.
Planting nasturtiums nearby serves as a trap crop, luring pests away from your vegetables. The bright flowers also attract pollinators, making this a beautiful and functional layout.
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5. The Lettuce & Radish Mix
Lettuce and radishes are a fast-growing duo that makes excellent use of space.
Radishes mature quickly, breaking up the soil and making room for lettuce to thrive. This layout works well for succession planting, ensuring a steady harvest throughout the season.
6. The Peppers & Marigold Border
Marigolds are natural pest deterrents, repelling nematodes and aphids that can harm pepper plants.
Plant marigolds around the edges of a pepper bed to create a protective barrier while adding vibrant color to your garden. This layout is perfect for raised beds or container gardens.
7. The Strawberry & Spinach Patch
Strawberries love growing alongside spinach because they provide mutual benefits.
The strawberries act as a living mulch, keeping the soil cool and moist, while the spinach helps suppress weeds. This layout is an efficient use of space, especially in smaller garden beds.
8. The Beans & Cucumbers Trellis
Vining crops like cucumbers and pole beans work well together when grown on a shared trellis.
Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting cucumbers, while the cucumbers provide shade for the bean roots. This vertical layout maximizes garden space and improves airflow, reducing disease risk.
By choosing the right companion planting layout, you can create a healthier, more resilient garden. Experiment with these combinations and enjoy stronger plants, better yields, and fewer pests!
Regarding the cucumbers and pole beans: The nitrogen that is fixed by the pole beans will not be available to the cucumbers (or anything else) until those bean roots decompose.