Friendly Neighbors in the Garden: The Art of Companion Planting
If your garden had a neighborhood watch, companion planting would be it. It’s the age-old practice of putting certain plants together to help them thrive — like a leafy buddy system that confuses pests, boosts flavor, or makes more efficient use of your growing space.
Some folks think of companion planting as garden folklore. Others see it as science. I think it’s a little of both—and I’ll tell you, I’ve seen enough success with it over the years to say there’s more than a grain of truth to it.
Take tomatoes and basil, for example. Not only do they taste great together, they actually grow well together, too. Basil may help repel aphids and hornworms, and it never hurts to have it close at hand for that fresh Caprese salad you’ll be making in a month or two.
Cucumbers and radishes make another great team. Radishes grow fast and help loosen the soil for cucumber roots. Plus, they may draw away some of the pests cucumbers tend to attract.
And who doesn’t love a Three Sisters garden—corn, beans, and squash? This classic combo has been grown by Indigenous peoples for generations. The corn grows tall, giving the beans a pole to climb. The beans fix nitrogen in the soil. The squash shades the ground, keeping weeds down and moisture in. It’s like a little community where everyone’s pulling their weight.
But just like in any community, some neighbors just don’t get along. Tomatoes and corn, for example, are both magnets for the same pests. If you’ve ever dealt with corn earworms or tomato fruitworms (spoiler alert: they’re the same bug), you know what I mean.
Beans and onions? Not best friends. Onions can stunt bean growth. And tomatoes and potatoes—though they sound like they should be on a dinner plate together—can share diseases and fight over nutrients if planted too close.
The fun thing about companion planting is that you don’t need a PhD to try it. Just play around with plant pairings. Make space for flowers like marigolds and nasturtiums, which attract pollinators and distract pests. And don’t be afraid to tuck herbs into your vegetable rows. Your nose—and your taste buds—will thank you.
The best gardens, like the best communities, are diverse, balanced, and full of surprises. Try planting with a little friendship in mind this spring, and see what blooms.
About the Author
Dr. Philip Seagraves is the owner, along with his wife Cathy, of Griffin’s Produce in Smithville. A local fixture for over 50 years, Griffin’s has long been a trusted source for fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, and garden plants in DeKalb County. It has also been named “Best of the Best” Produce Market in DeKalb County by the Smithville Review many years running.
