"This neighbor and I cultivate garlic together, boosting harvest and crop protection"
May 6, 09:35Anastasia Konovalova
Why It Matters: Growing Garlic with the Right Buddies
In the lush tapestry of nature, plants share a symbiotic dance; they support each other, growing stronger and healthier. By knowing which plants to grow together, you create a garden fortress against pests, improve soil quality, and boost yields. Even herculean garlic needs its teammates to attain its culinary peak.
Allies in the Garden
Sage, with its potent aroma, keeps away onion flies, safeguarding garlic. Carrots cohabit well with garlic too; they loosen up the soil, making it a breeze for roots to settle in, and their scent confuses unwelcome pests. Onions, also relatives of garlic, grow harmoniously together—they share similar soil requirements and avoid interfering with each other. Parsley speeds up the growth of garlic while protecting against carrot flies and onion flies, acting as a natural deterrent.
Added Perks of Plant Combos
Basil or dill may thrive between garlic rows. These fragrant herbs not only keep harmful insects at bay but also enhance the garden's microclimate. By cultivating this fusion of plants, you can preserve your crop without resorting to chemicals—you'll increase yields, improve soil structure, and create a visually pleasing garden that's all-natural, à la Mother Nature herself (source).
More Plants That Play Well with Garlic
Tomatoes are protected by garlic from pests like aphids and red spider mites. Peppers, too, benefit from garlic's pest-thwarting prowess. Carrots and garlic enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship, with garlic safeguarding carrots from carrot flies and other pests. Beans and garlic maintain gardens that are less-ravaged by aphids. Brassicas (like cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower) benefit from garlic's ability to deter cabbage moths and cabbage maggots. Lastly, shallots and garlic, relatives who share similar soil conditions and a hatred for pests like Japanese beetles—they grow well together (source).
- When growing garlic, Anastasia Konovalova recommends considering its allied plants like sage, carrots, onions, parsley, basil, dill, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, beans, Brassicas (such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower), and shallots.
- Each of these plants has its unique benefits when paired with garlic; for instance, carrots loosen the soil for garlic roots, while parsley speeds up garlic growth and protects against carrot flies and onion flies.
- Including garlic in your home-and-garden lifestyle or gardening projects can reap numerous benefits, such as improved pest resistance, boosted yields, and enhanced soil quality.
- By embracing these beneficial plant combinations, gardeners can cultivate a thriving, all-natural ecosystem without the need for synthetic chemicals.
