Growing Food? These 7 Companion Plant Combos Can Double Your Yield

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If you’re growing your own food, you’re probably already thinking about the basics, like sunlight, watering, and soil. But there’s another trick that gardeners swear by. It’s called companion planting. By finding the perfect companion plant pairs, you can naturally boost growth, reduce pests, and even improve flavor. Many of these companions will add fullness and beauty to your garden as well. Here are seven powerhouse plant combos that can double your yield and make your garden work smarter, not harder.

1. Tomatoes + Basil

This classic pairing isn’t just for your kitchen. Planting tomatoes and basil together works wonders in the garden, too. Basil repels pests like aphids and tomato hornworms. They also help tomatoes grow more vigorously. Some gardeners even claim basil improves tomato flavor. If you’re having a hard time growing your tomatoes, consider planting them with basil.

2. Corn + Beans + Squash (The Three Sisters)

A centuries-old Native American method, these three crops grow in harmony. That’s why they are often used together in many recipes, as well. Corn provides a pole for beans to climb, beans fix nitrogen in the soil, and squash shades the ground to suppress weeds. Together, they create a self-sustaining mini-ecosystem. You won’t believe the difference the three sisters companion planting makes!

3. Carrots + Onions

Carrots and onions are a great pair because they protect each other from the most common pests. Carrots are vulnerable to carrot flies, while onions deter them. On the flip side, carrots help mask the scent of onions from onion flies. These flies can destroy onion bulbs before they develop. This tag-team defense can help both plants thrive without chemical sprays.

4. Cucumbers + Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums aren’t just beautiful flowers; they are hard workers when paired with cucumbers. These flowers act like a trap crop, drawing aphids and beetles away from your cucumbers. They also attract pollinators and beneficial insects, which can lead to a bigger, healthier cucumber harvest. In addition, nasturtiums attract beneficial insects like hoverflies, ladybugs, and parasitic wasps, all of which feed on pests that would otherwise harm your cucumbers.

5. Peppers + Marigolds

Marigolds are another beautiful addition to your garden that makes a great companion plant to peppers. Marigolds are known for their ability to repel nematodes and aphids, making them ideal pals for peppers. Plus, their bright blooms attract pollinators that help increase pepper production. Marigolds are easy to grow, thrive in full sun, and bloom all season long, adding both beauty and function to your pepper patch. For best results, plant marigolds in a border around or between pepper plants to create a natural barrier against unwanted pests.

6. Lettuce + Radishes

Lettuce and radishes are great together in a salad and also in your garden. Radishes grow quickly and break up soil, allowing lettuce roots to spread more easily. Meanwhile, lettuce provides shade that keeps the soil cooler and helps radishes from bolting too fast in the heat. They are a dynamic duo! Also, because radishes mature so quickly, they’re often harvested just as lettuce is starting to fill in. This succession-style planting keeps your garden productive and allows for continuous harvests.

7. Spinach + Strawberries

Spinach and strawberries are a great match. Strawberries help shade the soil, keeping spinach cool and reducing weeds. In return, spinach acts as a living mulch, conserving moisture and preventing soil erosion. Plus, there’s nothing better than a spinach and strawberry salad!

Successful Companion Planting

Companion planting is one of the simplest ways to maximize your garden’s output without relying on chemicals or complicated systems. A little planning upfront can lead to healthier plants, fewer pests, and a much bigger harvest. So before you plant, pair up and watch your garden thrive like never before.

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Teri Monroe

Teri Monroe started her career in communications working for local government and nonprofits. Today, she is a freelance finance and lifestyle writer and small business owner. In her spare time, she loves golfing with her husband, taking her dog Milo on long walks, and playing pickleball with friends.