Companion Planting

I’ve been reading and researching about companion planting this year. Now that I’m feeling confident in the garden, I knew it was time to amp it up as far as learning more about what kinds of plants will attract beneficial insects and also repel harmful insects (Integrated Pest Management). Being an organic gardener, it’s wise to utilize annuals, perennials and herbs alongside your veggies to help them produce and deter harmful insects that will destroy your crop that you have worked so hard for. Companion planting helps your garden become a balanced ecosystem, in which nature keeps itself in balance. It will attract more bees to pollinate and birds to munch on harmful insects. So far in my garden I’ve planted Zinnias, Geraniums, Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Chamomile and still need to add a variety of herbs. Not only was I thinking about Integrated Pest Management but the beautiful array of colors that my annuals will produce. I can’t wait to see what it will finally look like come mid/late June.

I thought it would be helpful to share what I have learned by providing a list of the best plants and herbs to help you on your way to Companion Planting.

Asters
Deters most insects

Basil
Basil repels white fly and makes a good companion to tomatoes, in the garden & the kitchen. Use 3 basil plants to each tomato plant. Basil also repels flies and mosquitoes, so useful in kitchen, outdoor barbecues. Don’t plant near rue. Deters tomato hornworm, aphids, flies and mosquitoes. Slows growth of milkweed bugs and acts as a fungicide.Borage – Deters tomato worm – improves growth and flavor of tomatoes

Borage
Plant with strawberries to increase crop. Also good with tomatoes and squash. Attracts bees to the garden. Deters tomato worms, attracts bees, helps growth and flavor.

Calendula (Pot Marigold)
Deters asparagus beetles, tomato worms and general garden pests

Catnip
Deters flea beetle

Celery
White cabbage butterfly

Chamomile
Improves growth and flavor of onions and cabbages.

Chrysanthemum
Deters most insects

Dead Nettle
Deters potato bug – improves growth and flavor of potatoes

Eggplant
Deters Colorado potato beetle

Fennel
Repels fleas, so grow it around dog kennel.

Flax
Deters potato bug

Garlic
Deters Japanese beetle – other insects and blight

Geranium
Deters most insects. Plant near roses, grapes and corn. Repels cabbage worm. Oil of geranium prevents red spider mite.

Horseradish
Plant at corners of potato patch to deter potato bug

Henbit
General insect repellant

Hyssop
Deters cabbage moth, white butterflies, good insect repellant

Lavendar
Lavender bags repel mice, ticks and moths.

Marigold
The workhouse of the pest deterrents. Plant throughout garden to discourage Mexican bean beetles, nematodes and other insects.

Mint
Deters white cabbage moth and ants

Nasturtium
Good insect repellent. Deters aphids, squash bugs, striped pumpkin beetles

Onion Family
Deters most pests

Oregano
Plant near broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower to repel cabbage butterfly and near cucumbers to repel cucumber beetle. Also benefits grapes.

Petunia
Protects beans

Peppermint
Planted among cabbages, it repels the white cabbage butterfly

Radish
Especially deters cucumber beetle

Rosemary
Deters cabbage moth, bean beetle and carrot fly

Rue
Deters Japanese Beetle

Sage
Deters cabbage moth, carrot fly

Salsify
Repels carrot fly

Southernwood
Deters cabbage moth

Summer Savory
Deters bean beetles

Tansy
Deters flying insects, Japanese beetles, striped cucumber beetles, squash bugs, ants

Tomato
Asparagus beetle

Thyme
Deters cabbage worm

Wormwood
Carrot fly, white cabbage butterfly, black flea beetle