Winter Companion Planting Guide

Companion planting is a philosophy in the garden. An easy way to think of companion planting is the grouping together of plants in a way that helps them grow better. Companions generally fall into three different categories:

• Those plants that deter pests such as white butterflies and aphids or give them something other than your brassicas to chew on,
• Those that fix nitrogen in the soil, providing natural fertiliser, and
• Those that attract beneficial insects such as hover flies, honeybees and ladybirds.

So, consider what to plant with your winter vegetables; cabbages, broccoli, Swiss chard, leeks, peas, beans, turnips, beets, carrots, radishes, eggplant, pumpkin and Asian greens, can all handle the wet, cold weather.

Cabbages and other Brassicas

Brassicas benefit from close association of chamomile, dill, mint, rosemary, and sage. And avoid planting them near eggplants and potatoes.

Leeks

Plant beets, carrots, celery, onions, and/or spinach with your leeks. Avoid planting them near beans and peas.

Peas and Beans

Peas and beans love to be near carrots, celery, corn, cucumber, eggplant, parsley, potatoes, radish, spinach and turnips. But keep them away from leeks and onions.

Root Vegetables

Turnips, beets, carrots and parsnips thrive close to peas, beans, squash, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, onions, garlic, lettuce, Swiss chard, spinach, and radishes.

Eggplant

So long as you don’t shade your eggplants, they like potatoes and spinach close by.

Squashes

Good companions of squashes include radishes, corn, peas, beans, pumpkin, marigolds, and nasturtiums. Corn, squash, and peas or beans planted together are the traditional Three Sisters established by Native Americans, who planted these three crops together.

Asian Greens

Beans, beetroot, cabbage, carrots, marjoram, and peas are good to plant with Asian greens.

Planting these good companions together will help your vegetables thrive and reduce your need for using chemicals to control pests and diseases.