1. Idaho Community Gardens
Idaho Foodbank
3562 S TK Ave
Boise, ID 83705-0601
www.idahofoodbank.org/community_gardens
336-0643 x 246
bparham@idahofoodbank.org
Companion Planting
When planning a vegetable garden for the coming season, you can greatly increase the
success and well-being of your garden if you consider companion planting. Plants can form
beneficial relationships with each other, and when planted correctly can help with pest
management, yield, and even bring out the taste of each plant. For instance, certain roots have
pest-resistant capabilities with chemicals that either repel or poison harmful insects. Marigold roots
expel harmful soil nematodes, and tomatoes exude a chemical in the soil that repels certain
cabbage pests.
On the other end, some plants simply don’t get along when planted next to one another in
a gardening space. It’s equally as important to understand these relationships to avoid these
situations. Understanding and utilizing these relationships will result in a garden that mimics
nature and has a balanced ecosystem.
There are a variety of possibilities when using companion planting. Many plants including
vegetables, flowers, and herbs can be used as companion plants. Don’t be afraid to experiment and
use plants in creative ways. Some gardeners have used flowers as borders or interplanted them with
vegetables throughout the garden. Successful companion planting can attract the beneficial insects
and keep away harmful pests.
On the following page, you’ll find a chart listing vegetables and their respective good and
bad companions. Below are some great resources to check out if you’d like to learn more.
Carrots Love Tomatoes by Louise Riotte.
This is a classic book on the art of companion planting. Complete with illustrations and detailed
descriptions of hundreds of plants and their friends and enemies. Highly recommended to
optimize yield and have a happy garden.
Golden Harvest Organics. www.ghorganics.com
The Organic Gardener’s Complete Guide to Vegetables and Fruits. Rodale Press.
2. Plant Good Companions Bad
Companions
Asparagus Basil, parsley, pot marigold, tomatoes Onion
Basil Pepper, Tomato, Marigold
Bush Beans Beets, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Corn, Onion
Cucumbers, Eggplant, Lettuce, Pea, Radish,
Strawberry, Savory, Tansy, Marigold
Pole Beans Carrots, Corn Cucumber, Eggplant, Lettuce, Pea, Beets, Onion
Radish, Savory, Tansy
Beets Bush Beans, Cabbage, Onion, Sage
Cabbage Bush Beans, Beets, Celery, Onions, Tomato, All Strawberry
Family Strong Herbs, Marigold, Nasturtium
Carrots Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Lettuce, Onion, Peas, Dill
Radish, Tomato, Sage
Celery Bush Beans, Cabbage, Onion, Spinach, Tomato
Corn Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Cucumber, Melons, Peas, Tomato
Squash
Cucumbers Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Corn, Lettuce, Onions, No Strong Herbs
Peas, Radish, Marigold, Nasturtium, Savory
Eggplant Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Spinach
Lettuce Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Carrots, Cucumbers,
Onion, Radish, Strawberries
Melons Corn, Nasturtium, Radish
Onion Beets, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Cucumber, Bush Beans, Pole
Lettuce, Pepper, Squash, Strawberries, Tomato, Beans, Peas
Savory
Parsley Tomato
Peas Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Carrots, Corn Cucumber, Onion
Radish, Turnips
Pepper Onion
Radish Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Carrots, Cucumber, Hyssop
Lettuce, Melons, Peas, Squash
Spinach Celery, Eggplant, Cauliflower
Squash Corn, Onion, Radish
Strawberry Bush Beans, Lettuce, Onion, Spinach Cabbage
Tomato Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Onion, Mint Corn, Fennel
Source for chart: www.gardenguides.com, The Organic Gardener’s Complete Guide to Fruits and Vegetables
