Companion planting is an age-old technique that combines different types of plants to maximize growth, protect against pests and disease, increase soil nutrients, and create a thriving garden ecosystem.
From onions and broccoli to marigolds and Swiss chard, there are many combinations of good companion plants that will help you get the most out of your garden.
With so many options, it can be overwhelming to decide which plants should go together.
Fortunately, this introduction to companion planting will explain what the best companions, as well as the worst companion plants, are and provide some of the best combinations for your garden.
So, get ready to learn about an ancient gardening technique that will help you reap amazing rewards!
Companion Plants for Onions
Onions are a staple in many home gardens – not only are they delicious, but they have many uses and can be planted along with other crops for optimal benefit.
Onions pair well with several different plants and can be used to deter pests, improve the health of other vegetables, and even increase the size of your harvest!
Best Onion Companion Plants
Broccoli
Companion planting onions near broccoli can help protect it from aphids, a common garden pest.
Lettuce
Onions have a shorter root depth than lettuce, so these two crops can be planted next to one another without competing for resources, allowing you to maximize the planting space in your vegetable garden.
Try interplanting onions around your garden or in your lettuce beds so that the sweet fragrance will confuse any garden pests most likely to be around your other vegetables.
Potatoes
Onions act as a natural insect repellent that can protect potatoes from various pests, such as aphids and whiteflies.
Strawberries
Onions help repel slugs and other pests that might attack strawberry plants or tomato plants
Carrots
Planting onions near carrots helps deter the carrot root fly from laying eggs in the soil, reducing infestations of carrot root maggots.
Garlic
Onions and garlic have a mutually beneficial relationship; the strong scent of onions can help repel pests from garlic, while garlic helps prevent diseases in onions.
Cabbage
Planting onions near cabbage can help deter the diamondback moth, cabbage worms, the common pest of cabbage family crops.
Chard
This leafy vegetable benefits from being planted near onions because it helps deter snails and slugs.
Celery
Celery is another companion plant that can be planted with onions to help repel certain pests, such as slugs and wireworms.
These are just a few of the great companion plants for onions that you can use in your home garden. By carefully selecting a companion, you can maximize growth, protect against pests and disease.
As you can see, onions are incredibly versatile and have many possible companions that can benefit each other when planted together!
You’ll be surprised at how mutually beneficial plants can be for your crops!
Whether you’re planting a full vegetable garden or just starting out with companion planting, these combinations of your onion crop companions are sure to provide you with an abundant harvest!
Best Herb Companion Plants
Herbs are another great companion plant option for onions. Herbs such as parsley, sage, oregano, thyme, and rosemary all pair well with onions and can help deter pests while also enhancing yields.
Parsley
Parsley helps repel the onion fly and attracts beneficial insects like lacewings.
Oregano
Oregano can help deter slugs and snails. So do thyme and rosemary.
By planting these herbs alongside your onions, you will reap the rewards of improved health for both crops.
Chamomile
One of the more unique companion plants for onions is chamomile. Not only does this herb have medicinal uses, but it has been said to improve the growth and flavor of onions when grown nearby!
If you’re looking to get the most out of your companion planting efforts, adding chamomile can be a great way.
Summer Savory
Summer savory is another herb that may aid onions when used as a companion plant. This herb too is said to improve the growth and flavor of your onions. By planting summer savory near your onion crop, you will reap the rewards of better-tasting onions with bigger yields!
Dill
Dill is also an ideal companion plant for onions. It helps to repel harmful insects and can even improve the flavor of your onion crop.
Mint
Finally, mint can be a beneficial companion plant for onions. The scent of mint can help to confuse onion flies and other pests that may be attracted to your onion crop. Plus, it’s a great companion herb for many vegetables! Just remember to keep an eye on it as mint has the potential to take over a bed if not kept in check.
Companion Flowers
Flowers are yet another type of companion plant that can be used to keep pests away from onions. If creating a pollinator-friendly garden is something that interests you be sure to check out,
Creating A Bee-Friendly Garden: 27 Essential Plants To Attract Pollinators!
Marigolds
These bright, colorful flowers help guard against nematodes and other soil-dwelling pests.
These cheerful blooms act as a trap crop for aphids, drawing them away from other plants.
Calendula
This flower helps protect onions from carrot flies and root maggots.
Nasturtiums
These bright, beautiful flowers help deter aphids, squash bugs, beetles, and cabbage loopers. They can also be used to attract pollinators to your garden!
Borage
Borage flowers act as a trap crop for tomato hornworms and can also be used to attract beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs.
Plants to Avoid Planting with Onions
Beans
(Both pole beans and bush beans) and other legumes: Onions can kill the helpful bacteria that grow on beans, peas, and other legume roots, stunting the growth.
Asparagus
Planting onions and asparagus creates competition for the same nutrients—meaning you’ll stunt the growth of one or both of your crops.
Sage
Sage tends to enjoy different growing conditions from onions, which can mean it’s tricky to get the optimal benefit.
When to Plant Onions
Onions should be planted in early spring when the soil is warm and workable. In ideal conditions, they can be started as soon as 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost date.
To maximize yield plant onions in a sunny spot with fertile well-drained soil and a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. Plant onion sets or seedlings 6 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart. Water regularly and keep the area weed-free to ensure a healthy harvest.
Tips for Successful Companion Planting Onions
- Choose companion plants that have similar sun and water requirements as onions to ensure the success of onion plants in the pairing.
- When planting flowers or herbs near onions, make sure that they are planted far enough away to prevent them from competing for nutrients.
- Rotate companion plantings every year or two to ensure optimal pest control and plant health.
Why You Should Try Companion Planting
Companion planting with onions is an easy and efficient sustainable gardening practice.
Not only can it be used as a natural treatment for insect pests, but it can also improve taste and productivity in the garden.
This simple trick can significantly boost your yields while saving you from having to use harsh chemicals or pesticides on your plants.
Plus, companion plantings add a colorful and vibrant touch to your garden.
By adding companion plants to your onion beds, you can make sure that pests stay away, while also improving the health of both crops – it’s like having magic in your very own backyard!
So don’t hesitate – to give companion planting with onions a try today and see what gardening wonders you can create!
History of Companion Planting
Companion planting is an agricultural practice that involves the intentional planting of two or more types of plants together in order to benefit from their various interactions.The idea is that the combination of certain plants and species can bring about beneficial effects for each other, such as improved growth and protection against pests and disease.
The practice of onion companion planting dates back to ancient times when farmers noticed that certain crops grew better when planted together.
It has been used in various cultures around the world, from North American Native Americans to Chinese and Indian agriculture.
Today, it is still widely practiced among home gardeners as a way to increase yield without using chemical pesticides or fertilizers.
So if you’ve ever wanted to get the most out of your garden, consider using companion planting!
Final Thoughts
Companion planting with onions can be an incredibly rewarding experience for gardeners of all levels, from beginner to master.
By adding the right companion to your onion beds, you can improve their health and yields while keeping pest numbers down in a safe, natural way.
So why not give these great companions for onions a try today? You just might find your own gardening magic!
