Growing any of your food is rewarding, but some crops offer a bigger payoff than others. And if you ask me, carrots are one of the most satisfying vegetables to grow yourself. First, pulling a carrot out of the garden is a rewarding experience. You plant the seeds, then wait months watching the above-ground greens … Read more
Whether you want to try your hand at making pickles or are looking for a refreshing snack to help you beat summer’s heat, cucumbers are the answer. And it’s hard to beat a homegrown cucumber. One way to grow healthy cucumber plants at home is by practicing companion planting. This involves designing your garden in … Read more
Companion planting is growing more popular as a means to reduce the use of pesticides and attract pollinators. This is particularly true for small home gardeners. What Is Companion Planting? Companion planting (also called intercropping) is growing plants close together because of their ability to enhance each other. Planting the three sisters (corn, beans, and … Read more
When you think of home-grown veggies, tomatoes are likely the first thing to come to mind. And for good reason! Eating a juicy tomato fresh from the garden is nothing like biting into the sad excuse of a tomato you often find in the store. And this flavor difference is just one reason why tomatoes … Read more
Lettuce’s simple growth form and flexibility in the kitchen makes it a must-have garden crop. Another thing that’s great about lettuce is that it plays nicely with lots of other crops. By interplanting lettuce with other types of plants, you can increase soil diversity, attract beneficial insects, and help prevent disease. Read on to learn … Read more
Corn is grown by a lot of home gardeners. There are many pests and diseases that attack corn. Planting corn with good companion plants can improve yields and reduce problems. The famous three sisters (corn, beans, and squash) have been planted together for hundreds of years. Here are the best companion plants for corn and … Read more
Basil is a popular and attractive herb in cuisine around the world and has been used for centuries. It has many different varieties, each with its own unique flavor. Most basil leaves are green, but there are also purple basil, lemon basil, and even cinnamon basil! Basil is easy to grow and can thrive indoors … Read more
Turnips are grown both for their green leaves and for the starchy swelling above the roots. Both the greens and roots are vulnerable to pests. Here are some good companion plants that turnips will grow well with, and some that you should not plant them nearby. Why Do Turnips Need Companion Plants? Here are some … Read more
Leeks are an allium, in the same family as onions and garlic. Like other alliums, leeks have a strong odor. Many plants benefit from being planted near leeks. Other plants benefit from leeks when planted near them. Here are the best companion plants for leeks and the ones not to plant near leeks. Why Do … Read more
I’ve always been enamored with sage. I love chopping it up to mix into a brown butter sauce, crushing its leaves and inhaling its earthy fragrance, and watching its beautiful flowers appear in the summer. That said, I think it’s a must-have plant in the garden. And since sage is a perennial, you can plant … Read more
Borage (Borago officinalis) is used as an attractive plant in flower beds, in salads, and in traditional herbal medicine. Borage is often used as a companion plant in the landscape or the vegetable garden. This guide tells you which plants to use near the borage and which to plants to avoid. Note: Borage should not … Read more
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is an aromatic herb that is used in cooking and in medicine. The lemon scent is very fragrant. There are many plants that are good companions for lemon balm in the garden. Why Does Lemon Balm Need Companion Plants? Here are the ways companion plants help lemon balm. Increase Nutrients Peas … Read more
Radishes are one of my favorite crops to grow in the garden. They’re quick to mature, come in various colors, and are easy to tuck into empty spaces. Plus, many people love them! Whether you pickle them for tacos, cut them in half and dip into ranch dressing, or put a few thin slices on … Read more
If you’ve never had garden-grown celery, watch out! While celery sometimes gets a reputation for being flavorless and watery, fresh celery is packed with flavor, crunch, and nutrients! This crop can be a bit challenging to grow due to its long time to maturity, need for lots of water, and susceptibility to pests. However, with … Read more
Artichokes (Cynara cardunculus var. Scolymus) are a long-lived perennials. Since artichokes live so long, you should make certain that you only plant things near them that are good companions. This guide discusses what you should plant around your artichoke to help it grow and what plants to avoid. Note: This article deals with artichokes. Jerusalem … Read more
If food magazines are any indication, herbs like dill are becoming even hotter than ever. And it’s no wonder—piling chopped dill on top of a salmon filet, topping salads with dill flowers, and mixing the herbaceous herb with cucumbers are sure ways to elevate your dishes. Dill’s many uses in the kitchen mean it’s a … Read more
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a perennial flower that’s equally at home in meadows as it is in cut flower gardens. I love that yarrow provides beautiful lacy foliage and flowers and a wide variety of uses and benefits. First, yarrow’s tiny flowers attract and feed various insects and birds. Many of these critters are fantastic … Read more
Rhubarb is grown for its fleshy stalk. The leaves are poisonous and should be removed when the stalk is harvested. This cool season crop has both pest and disease problems. Consider companion planting to prevent problems and make the rhubarb grow better. Here are the best plants to use and the few you should not … Read more
Brussel sprouts are a delicious and nutritious vegetable in the Cruciferae family. They are a cool-season crop that can be vulnerable to many insect pests. They also need a number of nutrients while growing. Using companion planting can help with some of these problems and needs. Why Do Brussel Sprouts Need Companion Plants? If you are new … Read more
While tomatoes are the long-awaited summer crop, peas are the sweetness of spring. Garden-grown snap peas, snow peas, and shelling peas all offer a flavor that is incomparable to that of their grocery-store cousins. Despite their delicious flavor, I find that gardeners often stray away from growing peas due to their long time to maturity … Read more
If you’re growing a perennial herb garden, chives are a must-have. Chop them up to add an onion-like flair to chili and baked potatoes, or pair them with cheddar cheese to create a delicious savory biscuit. But what about when it comes to the garden? What plants get along best with chives? Like with most … Read more
When you think of plants that go well with broccoli, your mind may jump straight to the kitchen. Maybe you think of combining pungent garlic and stir-fried broccoli to form a crunchy and bright dish. Or perhaps you imagine pairing broccoli florets with another classic cruciferous vegetable: cauliflower. But what about when it comes to … Read more
Beets are a great two-for-one crop. They provide you with sweet and earthy roots as well as nutritious greens that resemble Swiss chard. Since beets grow better in cool weather, they’re typically planted in the spring and fall. However, it is possible to grow them during the summer in some areas. If you’re interested in … Read more
Rosemary has always been one of my favorite garden herbs. With its unmistakable and pleasing aroma and beautiful growing habit, I encourage everyone to have some rosemary in their garden – preferably in an area where its beauty and fragrance can be enjoyed. There are two main types of rosemary plants – upright and creeping. … Read more
Friends, chums, and companions are the people you can depend on in your life. The ones that build you up and make you a better person. The same can be said for companions in the plant world. I tell everyone considering a garden, don’t forget to research your plants and consider companion planting. Companion planting … Read more
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