Move over, superheroes, there's a new protector in town! In this article, we'll uncover the remarkable abilities of garlic as a garden guardian. From repelling pests to boosting the growth of neighboring plants, get ready to witness the incredible teamwork of garlic and its plant companions! We'll reveal the top 15 best garlic companion plants that will take your plants' growth to the next level.
Benefits of Companion Planting with Garlic
Get ready to unlock the secrets of garlic companion plants and discover how they can supercharge your garden! These amazing allies work wonders:
- Improve the soil: Companion planting with garlic boosts the soil quality for neighboring plants. Garlic releases sulfur and reduces the risk of fungal infections for its companions.
- Control insect pests: Garlic's powerful odor repels common garden pests. Plus, you can use garlic cloves to create an effective insecticidal spray.
- Encourage growth: Companion plants provide nutrients, space, and pest control, which leads to faster and healthier growth. Due to its small size, garlic can deal with pests and fungi even in cramped spaces.
- Create a living mulch: Staggering different-sized plants suppresses weed growth. Low-growing greens like garlic act as a living mulch for other greenies.
What Grows Well with Garlic?
Wondering what to plant with garlic? Some great companion plants for garlic include cabbage, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, spinach, beets, and chamomile. These plants complement each other's growth and help deter pests. We’ll talk more about them in a minute.
What Is the Best Companion Plant for Garlic?
There is no single "best" companion plant for garlic as it depends on various factors. Since garlic is such a powerful companion and works well with a majority of greenies, companion planting for garlic depends more on your garden preferences.
Best Garlic Companion Plants for Your Garden
In this section, we'll explore the best garlic companions that create a harmonious environment, deter pests, and improve overall plant health.
Vegetables
Here are the veggies that will benefit the most from a garlic plant nearby.
Potatoes and garlic make a dynamic duo in the garden! These two plants have a special bond, as garlic acts as a natural fungicide for potatoes, protecting them from fungal issues like late potato blight and potato scab. Studies have shown that intercropping potatoes and garlic can be even more effective than using chemical fungicides. Additionally, the strong aroma of garlic works wonders in deterring pests such as the Japanese beetle that targets potatoes. To reap the benefits, consider planting garlic in a circle around your potato hills for a healthy and pest-resistant harvest.
Garlic has the incredible ability to repel a range of pests that commonly target cabbages, including Japanese beetles, cabbage loopers, worms, moths, and aphids.
When planted together, cabbage and garlic mature simultaneously during the summer, making them ideal companions. Plus, rabbits and deer have a fondness for cabbage, and garlic serves as a deterrent against them as well.
Beets and garlic are a match in the garden! They thrive together without competing for nutrients as they draw from different soil levels. Garlic enhances the flavor of beets, prevents fungal infections, and deters gophers and moles. It's a win-win partnership!
Cucumber is a perfect garlic companion. Together, they elevate nutrient levels in the soil and promote larger and stronger growth of cucumber plants. Garlic boosts levels of calcium, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and manganese in the soil, increasing your delicious harvest.
Herbs
In this section, we delve into herb companions that perfectly complement garlic in a single little place in your garden.
These cold-hardy plants make a perfect pair. As spinach grows low to the ground, it acts as a natural weed controller and keeps unwanted intruders at bay. Plant other low-growing greens alongside garlic to reap even more benefits from this duo. Also, planting spinach multiple times a season is a great idea, as they have a quicker turnaround compared to garlic.
Garlic and dill, a match made in heaven! These two plants share a mutually beneficial relationship in the garden. Garlic acts as a natural repellent and keeps aphids away from dill, while dill enhances the flavor of garlic bulbs. To keep the sensitive root system of dill undisturbed during harvest, plant it between rows of garlic.
Yarrow is a magnificent flowering herb with incredible medicinal properties and a knack for attracting pollinators to your garden. Yarrow thrives alongside tomatoes, spinach, and similar plants, but it also plays a vital role in the growth of garlic. Yarrow and garlic work wonderfully together.
Rue takes on the role of protector in this duo. It drives away onion maggots, a notorious threat to underground garlic bulbs. With its distinct aroma, rue acts as a natural repellent to onion flies and deters them from laying eggs on garlic plants.
Flowers
Here are some of the beautiful flowers you can grow alongside garlic.
Nasturtiums are the climbing plants that go the extra mile to support garlic's growth. With their sprawling nature, nasturtiums eagerly climb on garlic stalks and provide them with much-needed support. These lovely flowers also act as natural mulch. They create a protective layer around garlic and suppress weed growth. As a bonus, nasturtiums themselves possess pest-deterrent properties, safeguarding not only garlic but your entire garden.
Garlic and marigolds are the ultimate pest-fighting duo in your garden. Garlic's pungent aroma acts as a deterrent to insects like spider mites and snails that target marigolds. Not only that, but the strong scent of garlic also keeps deer and rabbits at bay, protecting your precious marigold bloom.
While they may not typically share the same garden space, garlic proves to be a powerful ally for roses. You can encircle your roses with a ring of garlic bulbs and create a natural barrier that repels common rose pests such as spider mites, ants, and snails. Plus, garlic also acts as a deterrent against fungi that can infect your roses.
Planting chamomile alongside garlic enhances the flavor of the garlic bulbs. These two create a sort of culinary symphony. Remember to keep these delightful companions close together to fully savor the improved taste of garlic.
Fruits
Here are the fruits, the taste of which you can improve by companion planting garlic.
When garlic is grown in close proximity to blueberries, it offers a multitude of benefits. Firstly, garlic acts as a natural deterrent against pests and fungal diseases that often plague blueberries. Additionally, garlic helps condition the soil for the unique nutritional requirements of blueberries.
When planted near the base of apple trees, garlic acts as a potent shield against apple scab, and it protects peach trees from leaf curls as well. But the benefits don't stop there! Pear and cherry trees, susceptible to similar diseases, also feel better near garlic.
Say goodbye to the menacing spider mites that threaten your strawberry harvest. These tiny pests won't stand a chance when confronted with garlic aroma. Interplant rows of garlic in between your strawberry plants to create a natural barrier that repels spider mites and ensures the health of your strawberries.
What Is the Best Cover Crop Before Garlic?
Buckwheat is a top choice for a cover crop. This versatile plant serves multiple purposes. It acts as a natural weed deterrent while enriching the soil with abundant organic matter. Plant buckwheat before your garlic to suppress weed growth and get the opportunity for a dual harvest.
What Not to Plant with Garlic – Worst Companions
Garlic is a versatile plant that grows well with most other species, but there are some that don’t like the company of this greenie. Don’t plant garlic next to:
- Beans
- Sage
- Parsley
- Peas
- Asparagus
- Onions
- Leek
Rules of Companion Planting With Garlic
There’s only one real rule for garlic companion planting – experiment! When in doubt, create a container garden and plant one vegetable alongside garlic while growing another vegetable separately without garlic. Observe the results and compare the health and quality of the crops. Just don’t plant garlic near the worst companions. In all other cases, you’ll probably get a great harvest. Give it a try, and let your garden be the guide to finding the perfect garlic companions.
Mistakes to Avoid in Your Garlic Companion Planting
Here are some mistakes to avoid with planting your garlic.
- Don't overcrowd your garlic. Give garlic enough space to grow. Overcrowding can lead to poor air circulation and an increased risk of disease.
- Rotate your crops. Like any plant, garlic benefits from crop rotation. Don't plant garlic in the same spot year after year. This way, you will prevent the buildup of pests and diseases.
- Don't use chemical pesticides. Garlic is known for its natural pest-repellent properties, so using chemical pesticides nearby can harm beneficial insects and disrupt the ecosystem.
FAQ
Where Is the Best Place to Plant Garlic?
Choose a warm, sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil. Avoid waterlogging in winter to prevent bulb rot. The right conditions will ensure healthy and flavorful harvests.
How to Increase Garlic Yield?
Plant large cloves to get the biggest and most robust garlic heads. These cloves have more energy and are less susceptible to frost damage. Reserve smaller cloves for growing spring green garlic.
Can You Plant Garlic with Tomatoes?
Tomatoes and garlic make great companions as garlic deters spider mites, a common pest of tomato plants. However, keep an eye on spacing to prevent tomatoes from overshadowing garlic. Plant tomatoes behind or on the north side of your garden, and position garlic towards the south. This will ensure they both thrive without casting shadows.
