Companion Planting for Higher Yields, Fewer Pests
In the natural world, plants don’t grow in isolation—and neither should they in your garden. Companion planting is the time-tested practice of pairing plants that benefit each other, whether by improving growth, repelling pests, attracting beneficial insects, or maximizing space. It’s a simple, organic way to support your plants without chemicals—and it works beautifully here in Maryland’s growing zone.
Let’s dig into the “why,” “what,” and “how” of companion planting for a healthier, more productive garden.
🌱 Why Companion Planting Works
At its core, companion planting mimics nature. In forests, meadows, and prairies, biodiversity is the norm. Certain plants help others thrive by:
Deterring pests through strong scents or chemical compounds (like basil with tomatoes)
Attracting beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and pollinators
Improving soil health (e.g., legumes fix nitrogen, which feeds leafy greens)
Maximizing space and sun exposure, like vining beans growing up corn stalks
Providing ground cover or shade for more delicate crops
Instead of relying on sprays or synthetic inputs, companion planting helps your garden form a natural balance.
🥕 Favorite Companion Combinations
Here are some tried-and-true pairings that perform well in Carroll County gardens:
🍅 Tomatoes Love Basil
Basil helps repel tomato hornworms and improves tomato flavor and growth. Plus, they’re delicious together in the kitchen!
🥬 Lettuce + Carrots + Radishes
A classic trio: Lettuce offers shade for the slow-sprouting carrots, while radishes break up soil and mark the row.
🌽 Corn + Beans + Squash (The “Three Sisters”)
Corn acts as a trellis for beans. Beans fix nitrogen in the soil. Squash vines sprawl at the base, keeping weeds and pests down.
🫑 Peppers + Marigolds
Marigolds deter aphids, beetles, and nematodes while attracting pollinators and beneficial insects.
🥒 Cucumbers + Dill
Dill attracts predatory insects like hoverflies and wasps that feast on cucumber pests like aphids.
🧄 Garlic + Roses or Strawberries
Garlic’s strong scent repels aphids and spider mites—and it’s great interplanted near strawberries or ornamentals.
🚫 Pairs to Avoid
Not all plants get along. Avoid these poor pairings:
Beans + Onions/Garlic: Alliums stunt bean growth.
Tomatoes + Corn: Both attract the same pests, like corn earworms and tomato fruit worms.
Cucumbers + Sage: Strong herbs can inhibit cucumber growth.
Fennel + Almost Anything: Fennel emits a compound that stunts many nearby plants.
🛠️ How to Plan Your Companion Garden
Start with Your Main Crops: What do you want to grow most? Build around those.
Look for Supportive Plants: Choose herbs, flowers, or vegetables that benefit your main crops.
Mix Heights and Textures: Use taller plants to create shade or trellising, and ground-huggers to suppress weeds.
Avoid Monoculture Rows: Interplant in patches or alternating patterns for pest confusion.
Make It Beautiful: Let functionality and aesthetics work together—add flowering companions like calendula, nasturtiums, or borage.
🐝 Bonus: Companion Planting for Pollinators
Even if your garden’s focus is food, always make room for blooms. Native pollinators need continuous forage throughout the season. Try adding:
Early bloomers: Wild violets, hyacinths, creeping phlox
Mid-season: Echinacea, bee balm, lavender, milkweed
Late season: Goldenrod, asters, zinnias
A diverse garden is a resilient garden.
🌻 Grow Smarter, Not Harder
Companion planting isn’t about memorizing every pairing—it’s about observation, experimentation, and building healthy plant communities. With a little planning, you’ll notice fewer pests, healthier plants, and a garden that practically takes care of itself.
Want help designing a companion planting layout that works for your raised beds or backyard plot? Contact Grounded Gardens for a personalized Planting Plan!