Seven Companion Plants to Grow and Not to With Tomatoes

There are several potential risks associated with tomato planting, including fungal infections, blossom end rot, insect pests like aphids, whiteflies, and tomato hornworms, and early and late blight. The finest tomato companion plants may perform a lot of the work naturally, but pruning, careful weeding, and mulching can help preserve and maintain plants until it’s time to harvest. While most information on companion planting is anecdotal, let’s see what plant grows well with tomatoes:

Basil

On or off the plate, basil and tomatoes go together like clockwork. This bright, fragrant plant is said to increase production and repel insects, particularly hornworms and flies.

The parsley

Another traditional combination is parsley: Keep it well away from mint since it promotes growth and draws ladybugs, which are predators of tomato hornworms.

Garlic

It’s been reported that garlic repels spider mites, and garlic spray helps shield soil and plants from blight.

Squash and borage

In companion planting, tomatoes, borage, and squash are frequently planted together, mostly because of time. In addition to being a general favorite of pollinators, borage is a blooming plant that has blue star-shaped blooms that deter tomato hornworms. It is not only a protective covering that enhances tomato flavor and development, but it also looks great as a garnish. Then, the groundwork is done by the time late-summer squash, which needs pollinators to ripen, is prepared to bloom.

French marigolds and nasturtiums

Particularly good partners for tomatoes are marigolds and nasturtiums. Root-knot nematodes, parasites that feed on the nutrients in a tomato’s root system, have been demonstrated to be eliminated by marigolds, while nasturtium, with its bitter, peppery oils, works as a general insect repellent (just keep them away though). If left unchecked, Nasturtium may quickly spread and engulf nearby plants.

Asparagus

One example of the benefits and drawbacks of appropriate companion planting is asparagus. Tomatoes contain a compound called solanine that deters asparagus beetles, and asparagus also aids in removing root-knot nematodes that are drawn to tomatoes from the soil.

Chives

Not only are chives a necessary allium in every herb garden, but they also deter mites, aphids, and worms.

Companion Plants to Avoid Growing Near Tomatoes

Cabbage

When you plant a member of the brassica family—such as cabbage—your tomato plant’s development may be stunted since it will compete with it for the same nutrients. Because tomato and cabbage seeds require an abundance of resources to flourish, one plant suffers more than the other, and that plant is typically the tomato. Tomatoes in this situation might not form buds, which would mean no fruit and a lost harvest.

Corn

Tomatoes and corn don’t work well together in the garden, but they do in the kitchen. This is because they both draw the same kinds of fungi and pests. Moth larvae can obliterate any chance of growth by feeding on tomato and maize crops. Vegetables that are planted next to one another attract more insects, which mean more issues for a gardener looking for a large yield.

Broccoli

Another member of the brassica family, broccoli is not a suitable vegetable to plant next to tomatoes. This is because broccoli will compete with tomatoes for the same minerals found in the soil since tomatoes are known to be ravenous for resources. Since both plants are big feeders, your best option for ensuring their success is to place them apart.

Potatoes

Since potatoes and tomatoes are related to the nightshade family, they require the same nutrients to flourish. Planting them next to one another will result in competition, which is bad for both species and may even increase their susceptibility to the same illnesses. If one plant is afflicted, these diseases can spread through the soil and destroy both. Furthermore, the closeness of these two plants is important since picking tomatoes might harm their roots.

Eggplant

Because it belongs to the nightshade family, like potatoes, eggplant is a rival of tomatoes. In addition, blight, a fungal disease, can quickly infect an area where eggplant has been harvested by wind-borne spores. Any tomatoes that are planted close together become more susceptible to blight when planted together. Blight may be indicated by abrupt browning, yellowing, spotting, or dead leaves on crops.

Walnuts

Planting tomatoes close to a walnut tree could also be detrimental to your harvest. The compounds that walnut trees emit into the soil inhibit the development of nearby plants.

Cauliflower

When looking for plants to grow alongside your tomatoes, steer clear of this additional brassica kind. Tomatoes and cauliflower both primarily need the nutrients in the soil. Plants placed closely together in the garden will probably compete with one another for nutrients, which will make the plants smaller and less robust. To provide additional chances for plant growth and produce development, keep them apart. Enjoy the gastronomic experiences of our Liturgical Temples food blog. Discover recipes, culinary techniques, and world cuisines.