Companion Planting Chart For Vegetables

While some state that much of companion planting is folklore, others refer to scientific literature that proves some plants have beneficial effects on others. 

Garlic, for example, has been shown to produce 20% more fruit when planted near cucumbers, with garlic-based soil shown to reduce lead disease by 35.9% compared to cucumbers without the presence of garlic. 

While the mechanism behind this finding was not identified, garlic has long been known for its strong scent and is thought to deter pests like aphids and spider mites. Garlic is often planted around the perimeter of vegetable patches to keep these pests at bay.

It used to be thought that some plants help others grow while some might hinder them. This isn’t exactly wrong, but it turns out that most plant pairings are actually beneficial. 

There are only a few exceptions, like black walnut trees, which can stop other plants from growing well because of what they release into the soil. As a result, it makes sense to focus more on the positive pairings and why plants thrive better together.

All companion plants are based on five main benefits: Pest Control, improved pollination, enhanced soil health, optimal space usage, and disease prevention. Some plants are naturally better than others, which is why nasturtiums are often recommended as a companion plant for almost all plants for their superior pest-deterring abilities, and the fact that they do not harm any others.