Quantcast
Companion Vegetable Garden Layout | The Old Farmer's Almanac

Planning a Companion Planting Garden

Primary Image

Which vegetables grow best next to each other?

Print Friendly and PDF
Almanac Garden Planner

Become a better gardener! Discover our new Almanac Garden Planner features for 2024. It’s easy, fun, and free to try!

Body

This year, don’t just plan a vegetable garden—plan a “companion” vegetable garden which pairs up plants that work best together! Learn more about planning a companion garden.

What is Companion Planting?

Based on scientific research, we know that there are certain vegetable crops which make “good” companions when paired together. In many cases, there is a beneficial effect such as protection from pests.

  • For example, basil is a classic companion for tomatoes because it’s proven to repel whiteflies, mosquitoes, spider mites, aphids.
  • For example, sage is a useful herb that repels carrot fly. Also plant it around a cabbage patch to reduce injury from cabbage moths.

Larger vegetables may also be used to protect smaller plants and seedlings from harsh winds or as a climbing support, while sprawling crops such as squashes can be used to suppress weeds around tall crops like corn.

  • For example, corn will benefit from the beans’ nitrogen-fixing capabilities. Pole beans provide structural support.

companion_planting3_full_width.jpg

Also, many flowers make ideal companions for edible crops. Plant “simple” flowers such as calendula, marigold and poached egg plant (Limnanthes douglasii) to attract beneficial insects to your garden and control pests such as aphids.

  • For example, sunflowers can be used to create shade for sun-stressed crops.
  • For example, nasturtiums can be used as a trap plant to entice aphids away from beans.

See our complete Companion Planting Chart for vegetables and flowers.

companion_planting2_full_width.jpg

Three Sample Companion Garden Plans

Below are real garden plans which employ the technique of companion planting. If you open the plans below, you can see it in much more detail.

1. Companion Gardening (Kitchen Garden) 

Garden Location: Connecticut
Garden Size:  About 25 x 36 feet
Garden Type:  Vegetables and Edible Flowers

Expand below garden plan and see plant list. (Note we’ve excluded fruit trees below which were added later to the plan that you’ll see.)

2. Companion Gardening (Three Sisters Plus)

Southwestern cuisine themed garden inspired by the three sisters companion planting method.

Garden Location: Southwest
Garden Size:  12 x 18 feet
Garden Type:  Vegetables and Edible Flowers

Expand below garden plan and see plant list.

comp-2_0.jpg

3. Companion Gardening (Community Garden) 

Garden Location: Boulder, CO.
Garden Size:  16’ 9” x 32’ 9”
Garden Type:  Raised Beds
Sunny or Shady: Sunny
Soil: Good Soil 

Expand below garden plan and see plant list.

comp-3.jpg

Find hundreds more garden plans shared by readers—all by location! 
Learn about the Almanac Garden Planner which has a special “Companion Planting” feature that actually shows you which plants pair together to make it very easy to plan!

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprise that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana. Read More from Catherine Boeckmann

2023 Gardening Club