Gone are the days when you plant every vegetable separately and expect them to grow by themselves. Advances in gardening have taught us a lot about the symbiotic relationships of plants, and how planting certain crops together can benefit all of them. One amazing superstar in this is garlic, a kitchen staple that doubles as an outstanding companion plant.
Companion planting is the practice of growing different kinds of crops close together for mutual benefit. Certain plants, when paired together, can boost each other’s growth, deter pests, and even enhance flavor. In companion planting, garlic shines as one of the most versatile matches for a variety of plants.
8 Best Companion Plants for Garlic
Table of Contents
What To Plant With Garlic
1. Tomatoes
Tomatoes and garlic are like two peas in a pod. Garlic is believed to repel common tomato pests, while tomatoes can benefit from the additional nutrient absorption garlic offers. Garlic also enhances the flavor of tomatoes making them tangier and flavorful. Moreover, a lot of staple dishes are made using both these veggies, so if you’re growing garlic with tomatoes, it’s convenient to harvest them fresh at the same time.
2. Rosemary
Rosemary is an excellent option for garlic companion planting, supporting each other in better growth and pest control. The robust aroma of both plants acts as a natural repellent to pesky insects. Both these plants grow well in well-drained and coarse soil. The garlic also assists in accentuating the fragrance of rosemary.
3. Cabbage
Cabbage and garlic are another good match – the smell of garlic confuses insects, deterring pests that commonly affect cabbage crops. Garlic even helps repel bigger animals like rabbits and squirrels from munching on the cabbage leaves. Both these crops are ready and ripe in the summertime, making harvesting very convenient.
4. Berries
If you’re growing berries, try planting garlic nearby. Their strong smell keeps spider mites at bay, while the berries remain unaffected by the garlic’s dominant flavor. Berries by nature are pretty delicate, make sure to plant your garlic around the berries very densely. It’s best if you have 2 rows of garlic per a single row of berries.
5. Citrus
Garlic and citrus trees can make a great team. Garlic helps deter pests, particularly snails and worms and the citrus trees benefit from the increased nutrient absorption. Garlic also secretes sulfur into the soil and thus gives it antifungal properties. You can plant garlic under your orange trees or beside lemon plants for similar benefits.
6. Roses
Although many gardeners attest to garlic’s ability to repel pests and diseases, particularly aphids for roses, there isn’t enough scientific evidence to fully support this claim. But hey, it’s worth a shot! Roses are also prone to fungal infections, so the sulfur released by garlic in the soil helps prevent them.
7. Marigold
Garlic and marigold can create a powerful, naturally repelling barrier against soil nematodes and certain pests, thanks to their respective strong scents. You can also plant other flowers like geraniums and roses near garlic to prevent animals and insects from destroying your farm.
8. Geraniums
Geraniums are great flower plant companions for garlic and can benefit immensely from garlic’s antifungal properties, keeping these beautiful flowers vibrant and healthy. Garlic and geraniums use different nutrients to thrive, thus keeping the soil rich and fertile for longer periods.
What Not to Plant with Garlic
There are both good and bad companion plants for garlic. While garlic sounds like an all-around good guy, there are a few plants that don’t mix well with it. Here are some pairings we ought to avoid:
Also Read: List of 9 Best Companion Plants for Peppers
1. Legumes and Garlic
Beans and peas, common legumes, are not the best companions for garlic, as they may compete for the same nutrients. Planting them together also increases the nitrogen content in soil which is bad for their growth.
2. Asparagus
Asparagus does not do well as garlic companion plants due to their competition for space and soil nutrients. Asparagus, onions and leeks are collectively known as “alliums” and are poor companions for garlic.
3. Potatoes
Although both are kitchen staples, garlic and potatoes shouldn’t share the same piece of soil. Garlic may deter the growth of potatoes by leeching on their nutrients and overcrowding the soil.
Our Final Words
Companion planting with garlic can yield numerous benefits- from improving crop health to repelling pests and enhancing flavors. Avoid pairing garlic with legumes, asparagus, and potatoes, as they can hinder each other’s growth.
Now that you know the companion plants that go well with garlic, consider weaving this insight into your gardening strategy for healthier, pest-free crops and vibrant, lively blooms.
Understanding garlic companions can bring immediate benefits to your garden. Try planting the garlic with its companions and monitor the impact over time. Planting garlic is not a one-time thing, but a continuous learning process that you will master over time.