Companion planting

Chives planted around apple trees deter aphids and apple scab pressure through alliin volatiles.

Comfrey accumulates potassium and phosphorus, providing a chop-and-drop mulch beneath fruit trees.

Yarrow attracts predatory insects and parasitoid wasps that reduce codling moth pressure.

Tansy repels Japanese beetles and ants, both pests that affect peach foliage and fruit.

Garlic planted around peach trees suppresses peach borer and provides general fungal-pressure reduction.

Borage attracts pollinators and predatory insects, supporting pear fruit set and pest control.

Garlic discourages plum curculio and provides general antifungal benefit beneath stone fruit.

White clover fixes nitrogen and provides a living mulch under Japanese plum trees.

Clover groundcover supports beneficial insects and reduces erosion in sloped cherry orchards.

Tansy reduces fruit fly pressure on tart cherries and discourages aphids.

Rosemary tolerates the dry sites figs prefer and provides aromatic pest deterrence.

Both natives thrive in similar soils and contribute to a polyculture that supports native pollinators and fauna.

Comfrey provides nutrient cycling beneath Asian persimmon, which is otherwise low-input.

Lavender shares pomegranate's drought tolerance and attracts pollinators during pomegranate bloom.

Thyme groundcover suits jujube's low-water profile and deters cabbage moth and aphid populations.

Native spicebush hosts swallowtail butterflies and complements pawpaw's understory niche.

Basil's volatile oils discourage stone-fruit pests and support pollinator visits.

Comfrey beneath mulberry recycles nutrients from deep-rooted mineral uptake.

Nasturtium acts as a trap crop for aphids and codling moth larvae.

Nasturtium attracts predatory insects and serves as a trap crop for stone-fruit aphids.

French marigolds suppress nematodes that affect cherry root health in sandy soils.

Borage attracts pollinators and supports beneficial-insect populations near fig plantings.

Yarrow draws predatory wasps that parasitize plum curculio.

Clover groundcover fixes nitrogen and supports pollinator activity during pear bloom.

Tansy reduces aphid and Japanese beetle pressure on apricot trees.

Mulberry's deep roots and clover's nitrogen-fixing surface roots create a productive low-input pairing.

White clover groundcover suppresses weeds and fixes nitrogen without competing aggressively in the shallow blueberry root zone.

Creeping thyme thrives in the acidic mulched conditions blueberries require and attracts pollinators during bloom.

Thyme tolerates the acidic soil and full sun rabbiteyes need and supports beneficial insect populations.

Garlic planted between raspberry rows discourages cane-borer flight and provides general antifungal pressure against cane diseases.

Tansy attracts predatory wasps and discourages Japanese beetles, both significant raspberry pests.

Garlic interplanted with black raspberries reduces aphid pressure and the viral diseases aphids transmit.

Garlic's pungent root exudates discourage soil-borne fungi that cause raspberry root rot.

Tansy's volatile oils repel beetles and aphids that target ripening blackberry canes.

Garlic between blackberry rows reduces fungal pressure on canes during humid weather.

Borage is the classic strawberry companion: it attracts pollinators, repels some pests, and reportedly improves berry flavor in adjacent rows.

Thyme as an edge planting around strawberry beds repels worms and supports predatory insects.

Borage extends pollinator support across the long fruiting season of day-neutral strawberries.

Creeping thyme suppresses weeds between strawberry plants without competing for moisture or nutrients.

White clover under red currants provides nitrogen and suppresses competing weeds during the long Ribes establishment period.

Clover groundcover preserves moisture and supplies steady nitrogen to black currants without aggressive competition.

Clover suits the partial shade white currants tolerate and supports a stable pollinator population during early bloom.

Clover under gooseberries smothers weeds and reduces the soil compaction that increases gooseberry root stress.

Comfrey accumulates potassium and phosphorus deep in the soil profile, recycling nutrients into a chop-and-drop mulch beneath productive elderberries.

Clover provides steady nitrogen for aronia, a heavy producer that benefits from consistent low-rate fertility.

Clover suits the cool-climate haskap planting and supports early-season pollinators when haskap blooms (often before most other forage).

Saskatoons benefit from clover's nitrogen contribution and the pollinator support clover provides during the early saskatoon bloom.

Clover beneath elderberries supports the early-summer pollinator population that ensures full fruit set on the large flower cymes.

Pawpaw is among the few fruit crops with documented juglone tolerance. The two natives can be planted together in the same understory polyculture.

White clover tolerates juglone and provides nitrogen and pollinator support beneath black walnut where most groundcovers fail.

Crimson and white clover under pecan canopies fix nitrogen, support pollinators, and reduce mowing needs without competing for the deep pecan root zone.

Comfrey accumulates potassium and phosphorus deep in the soil, providing chop-and-drop mulch beneath chestnuts as they ramp into heavy bearing.

Clover groundcover under chestnut suppresses competing weeds and supports the soil mycorrhizal network chestnuts depend on for nut development.

Clover suits hazelnut's preference for cool root zones and well-drained soil; the nitrogen contribution supports vigorous shoot growth in hedgerow plantings.

Borage extends pollinator support during almond's early bloom (often before most other nectar sources), improving fruit set in self-incompatible varieties.

English walnut produces less juglone than black walnut, and clover groundcover provides nitrogen and pollinator support without measurable suppression.

The classic Italian pairing. Basil's volatile oils are reported to repel hornworms and whiteflies, and the two crops share the same warm-season schedule and water needs. Plant basil between tomato cages.

French marigolds (Tagetes patula) suppress root-knot nematodes, the major hidden tomato pest in sandy southern soils. Plant 4-6 weeks before tomatoes for maximum effect.

Same warm-season culture, same watering schedule. Basil reportedly improves pepper flavor and repels aphids and thrips that are pepper's primary pests.

Compatible heat-loving culture, similar water needs. Basil interplanted between hot pepper plants supports beneficial insects and reduces aphid pressure.

Marigolds deter flea beetles, eggplant's most damaging early-season pest, and suppress soil nematodes. Plant marigolds as a border around eggplant beds.

Beans fix nitrogen for potato uptake and reportedly repel Colorado potato beetle. Potato in turn deters Mexican bean beetle. Plant in alternating rows.

Two of the Three Sisters. Beans climb the corn stalk providing structural support and fix nitrogen for corn's high feeding requirement. Plant beans 2 weeks after corn so corn establishes first.

The third of the Three Sisters with corn and bean. Squash leaves shade the soil reducing weed pressure and conserving moisture; spiny squash stems deter raccoons from corn.

Winter squash variant of the Three Sisters. The long-season squash matures alongside corn and is harvested at the end of the season; vines suppress weeds throughout.

Beans fix nitrogen for squash's heavy feeding. Squash leaves shade soil at the bean's base. Both prefer similar warm-soil culture and water.

Onion smell confuses carrot rust fly. Carrots in turn deter onion thrips. The classic European mixed-bed companion pairing for both crops.

Same dynamic as carrot-onion. Leek volatile compounds deter carrot rust fly. Both are slow-growing crops with similar season length, well-suited to a shared bed.

Radish germinates fast and marks the carrot row (which germinates slowly), then is harvested before carrots compete for space. Radishes also break up surface crust for emerging carrot seedlings.

Radishes mature in 22-30 days and are pulled before lettuce reaches full size. Same cool-season schedule, same water needs, efficient use of bed space.

Lettuce planted at tomato's base benefits from afternoon shade as the tomato grows, extending the lettuce harvest into early summer. Different root depths avoid competition.

Both prefer cool weather and consistent moisture. Lettuce shallow roots, carrot deep roots — no competition. Lettuce maturing first leaves space for carrot expansion.

Spinach uses the bed in early spring before strawberries flower, then is pulled. Spinach roots break compacted soil and add organic matter when tilled in.

Thyme volatile oils deter cabbage moths and the imported cabbageworm caterpillars. Underplant cabbage rows with creeping thyme as living mulch.

Same dynamic as cabbage. Thyme repels brassica moths through volatile oils. Productive perennial-with-annual pairing in raised beds.

Thyme deters cabbage moths and supports beneficial insect populations. Kale and thyme both tolerate cooler weather, can share a bed for two full seasons before kale is replaced.

Dill flowers attract parasitoid wasps that target cabbage moth eggs. Plant dill at cabbage row ends and let some go to flower for the predator effect.

Onion smell confuses cabbage moth. Both prefer similar moisture and fertility. The onion-cabbage interplanting is a Northern European tradition.

Dill umbel flowers feed parasitoid wasps that control cabbageworm. Plant dill alongside broccoli rows from transplant onward.

Nasturtium serves as a trap crop drawing aphids away from kale. Nasturtium also attracts hoverflies and other aphid predators.

Beans fix nitrogen for cucumbers' heavy feeding. Both can share a trellis structure. Bean foliage shades the soil at cucumber roots.

Nasturtium repels cucumber beetle through volatile compounds. Plant a row of nasturtiums upwind of cucumbers, or scatter seeds among the cucumber bed.

Nasturtium deters squash bug and squash vine borer. Plant nasturtium at the base of squash plants where it can clamber over the soil.

Nasturtium deters squash bugs, the dominant winter squash pest. Underplant nasturtium with squash so it sprawls between the larger plants.

Nasturtium repels squash bug and cucumber beetle. Both vine-spreading habit suits a wide pumpkin patch.

Radishes deter cucumber beetles, watermelon's primary pest. Plant radishes near watermelon hills and let some bolt to flower as a beetle deterrent.

Thyme is reported to deter onion fly. Both tolerate dry conditions and similar fertility. Productive intercropping in raised beds.

Garlic deters strawberry weevils and slugs. Garlic planted in fall around strawberry rows is harvested in early summer, leaving space for strawberry runners.

Marigolds deter Mexican bean beetle through volatile compounds. Plant a marigold border around bush bean blocks.

Marigolds deter Mexican bean beetle. The classic American home-garden bean-with-marigold interplanting.

French marigolds suppress root-knot nematodes that damage potato tubers. Plant 4-6 weeks before potatoes.

Asparagus releases compounds that suppress nematodes around tomato roots. Tomato volatile oils deter asparagus beetle. Long-term perennial-with-annual pairing in dedicated beds.

Basil deters asparagus beetle and provides ground cover during summer when asparagus ferns don't fully shade the bed.

Borage attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, and is reported to deter tomato hornworm. Plant a row of borage at the end of tomato beds.

Marigolds deter aphids, the primary virus vector for peppers, and suppress soil nematodes. Plant as a border around pepper beds.

Lettuce shallow roots and cucumber deeper roots avoid competition. Lettuce can be undersown beneath cucumber trellises for late spring shade benefit.

Same cool-season culture, both bolt in heat. Radish marks the row and matures faster, leaving space for spinach to fill in.

Peas fix nitrogen for carrots and are pulled by midsummer leaving space for carrots to size up. Both prefer cool weather and the same bed depth.

Same cool-season culture. Radish matures fast and is pulled before pea vines fully sprawl. Radishes deter the cucumber beetles that occasionally damage pea seedlings.

Both heat-loving warm-season crops with similar water and fertility needs. Hot pepper at okra's base benefits from the slight afternoon shade in extreme summer heat.

Beans fix nitrogen for sweet potato. Sweet potato vines spread to cover soil and suppress weeds in the bean rows.

Onion smell deters cabbage moth. Both tolerate cool weather and frost. Underplant kale rows with onion sets in fall.

Mint volatile oils repel cabbage moth and many beetles. Grow mint in a sunken pot near cabbage to contain its aggressive spreading habit.

Cilantro flowers feed beneficial wasps that control hornworm and aphid populations. Plant cilantro to the north of tomatoes so the taller plants don't shade it.