Companion plants are the practice of growing different plant species to improve their growth and health. You can create mutually beneficial relationships that help both plants thrive by planting certain plants close to others. Companion planting has many benefits, including improved soil quality, pest control, and increased yields.
Planting companion plants alongside Garlic is a great way to improve your garden’s overall health and yield. By choosing the right companions for your Garlic, you can deter pests and attract beneficial insects while enhancing the flavor of your harvest. Let’s check out the best and worst companion plants to grow with garlic below.
Best Companion Plants to Grow with Garlic
Beetroot
Beetroot is an excellent companion plant for Garlic due to its pest-repellent properties. Another benefit of planting Beetroot with Garlic is that they have similar soil requirements, which means they can grow together without competing for nutrients and water. Beetroot prefers well-drained soil rich in organic matter, just like Garlic does. Planting Beetroot next to Garlic creates a beautiful visual display in your garden bed. The vibrant red color of the beets contrasts perfectly with the green foliage of growing Garlic, creating an aesthetically pleasing view.
Carrots
Carrots grow well with Garlic, like most root vegetables, because they occupy different soil layers. While the Garlic bulbs occupy underground, the Carrot roots can spread out and fill gaps. In addition to being good companions in the garden, Carrots also benefit from growing near Garlic.
Garlic’s strong odor helps repel pests that could damage or destroy young Carrot plants. Planting these two together is an excellent way to prevent pest infestations without using harmful chemicals. When planting Carrots with Garlic, it’s important to consider their different growth rates and spacing requirements. Carrots should be planted at least six inches apart, while Garlic needs about four inches of space between each bulb.
Cabbage
Cabbage is a great companion plant for Garlic due to its ability to repel pests that commonly affect Garlic. The strong scent of Cabbage helps deter insect pests like aphids and moths from attacking the Garlic plants, making it an ideal partner. Additionally, planting Cabbage near your Garlic can help improve soil fertility as they have different nutrient requirements. Garlic absorbs nitrogen from the soil, while Cabbage requires potassium and phosphorus. Moreover, growing Cabbage alongside Garlic can help create a natural barrier against diseases.
In case you missed it: How to Grow Cabbage in Containers from Scratch: A Successful Guide for Beginners
Spinach
One of the benefits of planting Spinach with Garlic is that it can help replenish soil nutrients. Spinach is a heavy feeder that requires lots of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, all important elements for healthy Garlic growth. Another great thing about Spinach as a companion plant for Garlic is that it shades the soil around the bulbs. Garlic likes cool roots but doesn’t do well when exposed to direct sunlight. By growing Spinach alongside your Garlic plants, you ensure they have the perfect environment to thrive.
Kale
The strong aroma of Garlic can help repel pests like aphids and beetles, while Kale attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs that feed on these pests. Kale grows best in cool weather conditions, making it an ideal crop to plant alongside Garlic during fall. Additionally, planting Kale near your Garlic plants helps improve soil fertility by adding organic matter when you harvest them.
When growing Kale alongside your Garlic plants, ensure they receive adequate spacing since both crops require ample room for their root system to grow properly. Kale should be planted at least 18 inches away from nearby plants or vegetables so it doesn’t overshadow other crops or compete for nutrients. Planting Kale with your Garlic is smart because of its nutritional value and ability to attract beneficial insects while repelling harmful ones.
Potatoes
Potatoes are a great companion plant for Garlic because they repel pests. The strong scent of Potatoes can deter insects and other harmful organisms that may damage your Garlic plants. Additionally, the deep root system of Potatoes can help improve soil quality by breaking up compacted soil and adding nutrients.
In case you missed it: Growing Potatoes in Containers/Pots: DIY Guide for Beginners
One thing to remember when planting Potatoes with Garlic is spacing. Potatoes take up more space than Garlic, so give them enough place to grow without overcrowding your Garlic plants. Another benefit of planting Potatoes with Garlic is that they complement each other nutritionally. If you’re looking for a reliable companion plant for your Garlic crop, consider planting some Potatoes alongside them.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a popular herb used for centuries as a medicinal plant and in various culinary applications. Its benefits humans and is an excellent companion plant for Garlic. One of the main benefits of Chamomile in gardening is its ability to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. These creatures are essential in any garden, and having them around can help significantly increase your plants’ yield.
Moreover, Chamomile acts as a natural pest repellent by deterring harmful insects such as aphids from attacking your Garlic crop. This means avoiding chemical pesticides in your garden while keeping plants safe from pests. Chamomile also enriches the soil with nutrients like calcium, potassium, and sulfur through its root system. The presence of these minerals helps support healthy growth in nearby plants and ensures they receive all the necessary nutrients required for optimal growth.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are not only beautiful and vibrant, but they also serve as excellent companion plants for Garlic. These cheerful flowers repel pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and squash bugs. Nasturtiums improve soil quality by fixing nitrogen in the soil. As Garlic needs plenty of nutrients to grow healthy bulbs, planting Nasturtiums nearby can provide an extra boost. These easy-to-grow annual plants thrive with well-draining soil in full sun or partial shade. They come in various bright colors, including reds, oranges, yellows, and purples, making them an attractive addition to any garden bed or container.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a great companion to Garlic in the garden. Garlic can help protect Tomatoes from pests and diseases, while Tomato plants provide shade for Garlic bulbs during hot summer months. When planting Tomatoes with Garlic, it’s important to consider the spacing between each plant. Tomatoes should be planted at least two feet apart, which allows enough room for both plants to grow and receive adequate sunlight. With proper care and attention, these two plants will thrive together and provide delicious results come harvest time.
In case you missed it: How to Control Pests and Diseases in Tomato Crop: Causes, Symptoms, Chemical, and Biological Management
Marigolds
Marigolds are a beautiful addition to any garden and make great companion plants for Garlic. These bright and cheerful flowers have many benefits that can help your Garlic crop thrive. One of the main benefits of Marigolds is their ability to repel pests such as nematodes, whiteflies, and aphids. In addition to pest control, Marigolds also attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and hoverflies.
These insects are natural predators of common garden pests, so having them around can help keep your Garlic crop healthy. Another benefit of planting Marigolds alongside your Garlic is improving soil health. Marigolds add color and beauty to any garden without requiring much maintenance. Adding Marigolds as companion plants for your Garlic is a smart choice to benefit you and your crops.
Roses
Roses are beautiful and fragrant and can also be great companions for Garlic in your garden. The Roses’ scent can help repel pests such as aphids, spider mites, and Japanese beetles that may attack your Garlic plants. Roses’ deep roots can also help improve soil structure by breaking up compacted soil. When planting Garlic with Roses, choosing a variety that will complement your Garlic plants aesthetically and functionally is important.
Some great options include climbing Roses or shrub varieties with colorful blooms like red or pink. Plant the Rose bushes about 2-3 feet apart from each other and ensure they are watered frequently during dry spells. Planting Roses alongside your Garlic plants can provide beauty and practical benefits regarding pest control and soil health.
Dill
Dill is an excellent companion plant for Garlic, and it’s not just because they share similar growing conditions. Dill can help deter pests like aphids, spider mites, and Cabbage loopers that often affect Garlic plants. Additionally, Dill attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings that eat these harmful pests.
These insects also help pollinate the flowers of both the Dill and Garlic plants. Once established, it doesn’t require much maintenance but will need consistent watering during dry spells. Planting Dill alongside your Garlic can provide multiple benefits beyond being a delicious herb for culinary creations.
Worst Companion Plants for Garlic
Sage
Sage is often recommended as a companion plant for many vegetables because it repels certain pests. However, Garlic is not a plant that benefits from having Sage nearby. Sage produces volatile oils that can inhibit other plants’ growth and development, including Garlic. Another problem with planting these two together is that they have very different water requirements.
In case you missed it: How to Grow Sage from Seed to Harvest: Planting and Care
Garlic prefers moist but well-draining soil, while Sage needs drier soil conditions. If you plant them together, one or both may suffer from water issues. Because they are both strong-flavored herbs, cross-pollination’s also risky, which could affect their flavors and potency.
Parsley
Parsley is often considered a popular herb to grow in the garden, thanks to its versatile uses in cooking and attractive appearance. However, Parsley may not be the best choice regarding companion planting with Garlic. One of the main reasons Parsley is not recommended as a companion plant for Garlic is its different growth patterns and nutrient requirements. Furthermore, growing Parsley alongside Garlic can increase the risk of fungal diseases such as white rot or downy mildew, spreading rapidly throughout both plants if left untreated.
Beans
Beans are one of the worst companion plants for Garlic. This is because Beans are heavy feeders and can deplete the soil of nutrients, leaving little for the Garlic to thrive on. Additionally, Beans attract pests such as Bean beetles and aphids that can harm your Garlic crop. Planting Beans near Garlic also interferes with its growth by causing shading issues. Beans grow tall and bushy, blocking sunlight from reaching the lower parts of your Garlic plant.
Garlic needs plenty of sunlight to develop properly; hence planting Beans near it may lead to stunted growth or reduced yields. Furthermore, both plants have different growing seasons; while Garlic prefers a cool season with low humidity conditions, most Beans require warm weather with high humidity levels. Therefore, growing these two crops together may result in suboptimal results since one plant will struggle to survive during some parts of the year.
Strawberries
When planting Garlic, certain plants can be detrimental to its growth. While Strawberries may seem like a sweet and innocent addition to any garden, they can cause harm to your Garlic crop. This is because Strawberries are susceptible to many diseases like Garlic, such as verticillium wilt and white rot.
In case you missed it: Growing Strawberries from Seed to Harvest: A Complete Planting Guide for Beginners
Not only that, but Strawberries also attract pests such as slugs and snails, which can feed on the Strawberry plants and the Garlic bulbs nearby. Additionally, both crops require similar soil conditions for optimal growth, which makes them compete against each other for nutrients.
Conclusion
Planting companion plants alongside Garlic not only helps improve its growth and flavor but also helps in keeping pests and diseases at bay. Remember to choose plants with similar growing requirements as Garlic, such as sun exposure and soil preferences. Also, be sure to avoid planting certain vegetables or herbs that could stunt or hinder the growth of your Garlic.
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