Did you know planting certain vegetables side by side helps them grow?
Who knew plants in the garden had best friends? Just like your BFF in middle school who knew how to scare away the “mean girls,” some plants have their “friends’” backs (er, sides). Strategically growing certain plants side-by-side is called companion planting, and it’s a way to help all your veggies “graduate” to harvest.
Here are seven dynamic duos to plant next to one another in your garden. With proper care, both plants in each pair should be thriving in no time.
What To Plant Side-By-Side
1. Cabbage And Marigolds
Take those cabbages that you’re ready to put into the ground, and plant them next to some lovely marigolds. Why? Cabbageworms, cabbage moths, and other pests will want to start chomping on the cabbage. Not to worry, though — marigolds help to repel those crawling menaces.
2. Cucumbers And Radishes
Love you some cukes? Plant radishes nearby and make those cucumber beetles skedaddle. (Tansy and nasturtium will also work!) Once you have a cucumber crop, you can use the fruits of your labor to mix up a batch of this cucumber melon sangria!
3. Cucumbers And Sunflowers
Here’s something else you can do for your cucumber pals: Keep them cool by planting sunflowers nearby to provide shade and let them vine up the stalk. We knew sunflowers were pretty, but now it turns out they are practical as well!
4. Onions And Carrots
That stinky onion that you wish you didn’t eat for lunch? It can guard your carrots by taking care of nasty interlopers, like the carrot fly. Other plants from the allium family, such as chives and leeks, will also help.
