Garden Plant Companions

Getting ready to plan your garden?

Remember to keep in mind that some vegetables do better (or worse) when planted next to others.

Here is a
Garden Plant Companion List
to help you decide where to plant.

Herb planting companion and use guide

Herbs make a great addition to your garden - but some plants do better with certain herbs planted close by.  This guide goes over where to plant herbs, as well as some of their uses.

HERB COMPANION AND USE GUIDE

Basil

Likes:

- tomatoes

Use:

- Repels flies and mosquitoes

Borage and Beebalm

Likes:

- tomatoes

Use:

- Improves growth and flavor

Caraway

Use:

- Loosens soil

Camomile

Likes:

- cabbage
- onions

Use:

- Improves growth and flavor

Chives

Likes:

-carrots

Use:

- Improves growth and flavor

Cucurbits 

Likes:

-pumpkins
- gourds
- cucumbers
- muskmellons
- watermelons
- squash

Dead Nettle

Likes:

- potato

Use:

- Deters potato bugs
- Improves growth and flavor

Flax

Likes:

- potato

Use:

- Deters potato bugs
- Improves growth and flavor

Garlic

Likes:

- raspberries
- roses
- fruit trees

Use:

- Deters Japanese beetle
- Improves growth and flavor

Henbit

Use:

- General insect repellent

Hyssop

Likes:

- cabbage
- grapes

Use:

- Deters cabbage moth

Lambs Quarters

Likes:

- corn

Lemon Balm

Plant throughout garden

Lovage

Plant throughout garden

Marjoram

Plant throughout garden

Marigold

Plant throughout garden

Use:

- pest deterrents (Mexican bean beetle, nematodes and other insects)

Mint

Likes:

- cabbage
- tomatoes

Use:

- Improves health and flavor
Deters white cabbage moth

Nasturtium

Likes:

- radish
- cabbage
- cucurbits
- fruit trees

Use:

- Deters aphids, squash bugs, striped pumpkin beetles
- Improves growth and flavor

Petunia

Use:

- Protects beans

Rosemary 

Likes:

- cabbage
- beans
- carrots

Use:

- Deters cabbage moth, carrot fly and bean beetle

Sage

Likes:

- cabbage
- beans
- carrots

Use:

- Deters cabbage moth, carrot fly and bean beetle

Tansy

Likes:

- radish
- cabbage
- cucurbits
- fruit trees

Use:

- Deters aphids, squash bugs, striped pumpkin beetles
- Improves growth and flavor

Tarragon

Plant throughout garden

Thyme

Likes:

- onions

Use:

- Pole Beans

Valcrian

Plant throughout garden

Wormwood

Use:

- Plant as a border - keeps animals out

Square Foot Garden Plant Spacing

This list tells how many plants will fit in a 1x1' square space (for all of you box gardeners out there).

Square Foot Garden Plant Spacing

Garden Planting Notes and Tips

This is a collection of notes I have received or written down from gardening courses - specific to getting started and planting.
 

Step 1: Decide on a Site

- Select a plot of ground that receives at least 6 hours of full sun daily.

- Avoid planting the garden close to shrubs or trees, which may cast shade and can compete with crops for water and nutrients.

- Avoid "frost pockets".  Cold air seeks the lowest level, so late frosts will strike harder in garden low spots.

- Place the garden near a convenient water source.

- Try to select a level piece of land, which will make watering and car easier.

Step 2: Determine Garden Size and Variety

- Start Small.  If you are new to vegetable gardening, you will have more success if you start with a fairly small plot and a limited variety and number of plants.

Decide what to plant:

- Pick vegetables that you and your family really enjoy.

- Determine how much of each you will have to grow to satisfy your needs.

- Consider your climate and length of growing season when making your choices.

- How much room will the individual vegetables occupy?

- How productive will the vegetables be for the amount of space they take up?

- How long does it take for the plants to bear a crop?