Garedn Help - Companion Plants (2024)

FAQs

What not to plant with bee balm? ›

Bee Balm is more likely to attract mildew when it is grown in a shadier location than it prefers, so avoid planting it with shade lovers like Hostas and ferns.

Like people, some plants thrive surrounded by others. Companion planting is the practice of growing several types of crops near one another to enhance crop production. In general, plants with known positive relationships should be planted within two or three rows of each other.

Our garden beebalm comes in six or more colors from purple to pink – but it does best out of the hot afternoon sun. It sends roots up to a couple of feet, and because it is tall, it can shade-out and out-compete other flowers.

Plant bee balm with tomatoes to improve growth and flavor. Bee Balm is great for attracting beneficial insects and bees, of course. Borage also attracts hornworms away from tomato plants.

Brassicas: Almanacs and home gardeners recommend avoiding planting brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, kale, collards, cauliflower) near peppers because they require different soil acidity levels and can deter pepper plant growth.

Petunias

Another great flower to have in your vegetable garden are petunias. Known for warding off tomato hornworms, asparagus beetles, leafhoppers, and squash bugs, petunias are a pesticide-free way to protect your garden from unwanted pests.

Nasturtiums. If aphids are chewing up your garden, it's time to plant some nasturtiums. Easy to grow and pretty in bloom, nasturtiums repel aphids, squash bugs, striped pumpkin beetles, and whiteflies. Plant nasturtiums near beans, cabbages, and cucumbers to ensure an insect-free growing season.

In your vegetable garden, mulching with straw will give you a long list of benefits. For starters, straw is inexpensive, easy to work with, and good for your soil. And a layer of straw mulch between your veggie rows sets off your plants and makes your garden look neat and tidy.

What is a good layout for a vegetable garden? ›

As a general rule, put tall veggies toward the back of the bed, mid-sized ones in the middle, and smaller plants in the front or as a border. Consider adding pollinator plants to attract beneficial insects that can not only help you get a better harvest, but will also prey on garden pests.

Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi can stunt the growth of your tomato plant because they out-compete them for the same nutrients. These vegetables are in the brassica family.

The fact of the matter is that YES the plants are related and YES they share some common diseases but most people do not have the space in their garden to separate them. The reality is that because the two have similar growth requirements, they can in fact be grown quite successfully together.

As these shoots multiply, the mother plant in the center will eventually die off over the course of a couple years. This means your bee balm will eventually be far from where you planted it. So, if you are asking the question, “is bee balm invasive,” the answer would be yes, under suitable conditions.

The crazy shape of Bee Balm's flowers makes them perfect for pollinators—especially hummingbirds. Heights vary, depending on the species, from 2-5 feet. Bee Balm thrives in sun to part sun, making them excellent choices for beginner gardeners.