My pro tips will get the most out of your garden – a ‘complementary’ co-planting trick can make your herbs grow better

A GARDENING pro has spilled the beans on how to take a free method to improve plant growth.

Her advice included a co-planting tip for horticulturists to get the most out of herbs.

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Amber Kanuckel shared a post to the Farmer's Almanac detailing how she keeps her garden healthy.

She recommended “companion planting,” which is a way to get the most out of planting various crops.

The idea behind the gardening approach is that each species has a plant that can benefit its overall wellbeing.

Upsides of the tip include increasing the nutrients in the soil and keeping harmful pests at bay.

TOMATO TOMATA

First, she gave her advice on which seeds are optimal to pair with tomatoes.

“Basil and tomatoes were made to go together, not only in sauces but in the garden, too. This herb helps tomatoes produce greater yields and it repels both flies and mosquitoes,” she said.

She also cited Marigolds for keeping nematodes and other pests away. 

“Other friends to tomatoes include asparagus, carrots, celery, the onion family, lettuce, parsley, and spinach,” she added.

She warned against planting cabbage, beets, peas, fennel, dill, rosemary, corn away from tomato plants.

“Corn and tomatoes both suffer from the corn earworm, and tomatoes and potatoes are affected by the same blight, so keep these plants separate to prevent the spread of pests or disease,” she said.

BASIL BEAUTY

Next, she gave her advice for keeping basil plants as healthy as possible.

She said co-planting peppers could help to keep out aphids, spider mites, mosquitoes, and flies. 

“It’s also thought that basil improves the pepper’s flavor,” she said.

She also added that onions, spinach, and tomatoes could make good neighbors to your basil plants.

She warned against planting any type of beans around basil plants so they aren’t overwhelmed by their vines.

RAISE CORN

Next, she advised keeping corn around green beans plants, as the beans are able to grow along cornstalks. Beans also promote nitrogen production in the soil, which is beneficial for corn.

She also recommended marigolds, nasturtiums, rosemary, and summer savory to keep bean beetles away.

“Other companions include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and other members of the cabbage family along with cucumbers, peas, potatoes, and radishes,” she added.

Kanuckel warned against “beets or anything from the onion family” as they can slow down the growth of beans.

COOL CUCUMBERS

For cucumbers, she said marigolds and nasturtiums are a natural way to repel aphids and beetles. 

“Beans, celery, corn, lettuce, dill, peas, and radishes are also good companion plants,” she added.

She advised against “aromatic herbs” such as sage, which could make cucumbers grow slower.

Carrots and onions make a good pair to repel pests, but keep asparagus, beans, and peas out of the picture.

LETTUCE GARDEN

For lettuce, mint plants along the plants keep out pesky slugs. Chives and garlic are also an aphid repellent, but steer clear of parsley which can cause crowding around lettuce.

“Beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, corn, peas, radishes, and marigolds also work as good companion plants," she said.

:Marigolds attract aphid-eating ladybugs.”

SUMMER SQUASH

Summer squash and zucchini are best co-planted with corn, giving the vines space to grow on the cornstalks.

Potatoes, however, could cause blight in both plants.

“Squash also does well planted alongside beans, peas, radishes, dill, and marigolds,” she said.

CARING FOR CARROTS

Carrots, which she described as “heat sensitive” are good companions of tomato plants for the shade.

Leeks, rosemary, sage, and chive also work well by preventing carrot flies.

Keep coriander and dill away, however, as both could cause carrots to come down with disease or pest infestation.

RADIANT RADISHES

Radishes and cucumbers make a good duo to keep pests away.

“Onions, beets, cabbage, kale, lettuce, spinach, and squash are also good friends for radishes,” she advised.

When it comes to radishes, she warned against planting hyssop around them.

CORN SWEET CORN

For sweet corn, she recommended anything that fixes nitrogen in the soil, such as green beans.

Plants that have a trail of vines such as beans, cucumbers, peas, pumpkins, and melons also do well by growing up the stalk. 

“Zucchini is a good companion plant when planted among corn,” she added.

She warned against planting sweet corn with tomatoes in order to avoid corn earworms.

COUCH POTATO

When it comes to potatoes, avoiding pests and disease is a must for this staple food.

Potatoes work best with beans, cabbage, eggplant, peas, and corn.

Marigolds will keep pests away and horseradish will can add even more protection.

PEAS, PLEASE

For peas, she said it’s good to co-plant them with “beans, carrots, corn, cucumbers, radish, and turnip.” 

Mint could also improve the taste of the peas, according to some.

Chives can help keep the aphids away, protecting your plant.

BEET IT

Finally, she recommended beets to be co-planted with “bush beans, cabbage family plants, lettuce, and onions.”

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Co-planting beets with garlic could also improve the taste of the beet.

Steer clear of pole beans, however, as they could diminish the growth of one another.