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There’s something truly magical about the way plants interact. In a healthy, thriving garden, plants aren’t just growing - they’re communicating, cooperating, and sometimes even protecting one another. This ancient practice is called companion planting, and it's one of the easiest ways to bring more harmony, beauty, and abundance into your garden.
🌼 What Is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is growing different plants together in ways that benefit each other. Think of it like creating a friendly neighborhood among your vegetables, herbs, and flowers!
Some plants:
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Deter pests naturally or attract pests away from other plants
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Improve yield, flavor, and aromatics
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Attract pollinators and beneficial insects
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Provide support, shade, or groundcover
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Help balance nutrients in the soil
- Reduce the need for chemical use and reduce runoff
🌱 Why It Works:
Some plants release chemical signals from their roots or leaves that discourage pests. Others attract helpful insects or act as a living mulch, keeping the soil moist and cool.
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Pest control: Basil repels aphids and Marigolds can deter nematodes.
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Pollination: Bee balm or Yarrow bring in bees that boost veggie yield.
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Layering: Tall plants like Sunflowers can be natural stakes for Beans.
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Nutrient balancing: Legumes like peas and beans fix nitrogen into the soil, helping leafy plants grow better nearby.
🌼 Classic Companion Combos:
1. 🍅 Tomatoes + Basil + Marigold
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Basil enhances tomato flavor and repels hornworms.
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Marigolds deter soil pests and bring in pollinators.
2. 🥕 Carrots + Onions
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Onion's scent confuses carrot rust flies.
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Carrots don’t mind the shallow root system of onions.
3. 🌽 Corn + Beans + Squash (Three Sisters)
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Corn provides support for climbing beans.
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Beans enrich the soil with nitrogen.
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Squash shades the ground, suppressing weeds and conserving moisture.
4. 🥬 Lettuce + Chives + Calendula
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Chives deter aphids and beetles.
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Calendula draws aphids away from lettuce (a natural trap plant).
5. 🥒 Cucumbers + Nasturtiums
- Nasturtiums serve as trap crops for aphids, beetles, and improve pollination.
6. 🌶️ Peppers + Marigolds
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Marigolds ward off nematodes, aphids, and attract pollinators to peppers.
7. 🌿 Spinach + Strawberries
- Spinach covers soil to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
8. 🧄 Beets + Garlic
- Garlic deters aphids and fungal threats from beets.
9. 🥬 Cabbage + Dill
- Dill attracts beneficial insects (wasps, ladybugs) that prey on cabbage pests.
10. 🥒 Zucchini + Borage
- Borage attracts pollinators, repels squash pests, and enriches soil.
🌻 Tips to Get Started:
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Start small. Try just one or two combos per bed or container.
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Group by growing needs. Don't put shade plants in a sunny area, etc.
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Avoid bad neighbors. Some combos don’t mix well—like beans and onions, or fennel with almost anything.
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Layer your plantings. Mix groundcovers, mid-height veggies, and taller supports for a dynamic, space-efficient garden.
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Observe and adapt. Every garden is different—let experience guide you.
Companion planting isn't just practical—it's a garden design mindset! When plants support each other, your garden becomes a vibrant, balanced community. Try a few of these pairings this season, and watch the magic unfold!