How to Use Companion Planting for Great Tomatoes

Herbs go great with tomatoes in the kitchen and they are even more important in the garden to improve the tomato crop. Many other vegetables and ornamentals also go well with tomatoes in the garden.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tomato and Companion Plants

1. Select Some Tomato Varieties and Companion Plants and Get Busy - The following is a list of some of the best tomato companions. Pick some based on available space and preferences and plant with tomatoes either in garden beds or containers.
   
   Asparagus - Tomato plants protect asparagus from asparagus beetles, and in turn, asparagus plants have a chemical that has been shown to kill nematodes, a common cause of root ailments among tomatoes.
   
   Basil –Plant three basil plants to every tomato. Basil repels flies and mosquitoes.
   Don’t just plant one variety, but have fun in the garden and kitchen with varieties like Cinnamon, Genovese, Italian, Red, Purple Lemon and Thai.
   
   Borage - Deters tomato hornworms and cabbage worms. Generally after planting this annual once, it will self seed.
   
   Carrots – As with other taproot plants carrots break up the soil and help water air and nutrients get deep into the soil.
   
   Chives – Help to keep aphids and other general garden pests away.
   
   Garlic - Repels red spider mites and is a great insecticide steeped in water. Just poke cloves one inch into the soil around tomatoes. Once the green garlic is 6-8 inches tall it makes a great addition to tomato and other dishes. Chop the green as well as the soft garlic clove for a great addition to tomato dishes and more.
   
   Lemon Balm – Is in the mint family and is also a great pest deterrent for tomatoes.
   
   Marigolds - Deter nematodes harmful to tomatoes as well as the tomato worm and general garden pests. French marigolds work well planted in between tomato plants to deter aphids and other pests. Slugs love Marigolds so use them as a border to any bed where slugs can be a problem.
   
   Mint - Deters white cabbage moths, ants, rodents, flea beetles, fleas, and aphids. Mint is invasive so it helps to plant it in a container even if it is buried in the garden. Keep mint away from parsley.
   
   Nasturtiums – This flower makes a great barrier around the outside of any vegetable garden. Not only are they beautiful, but they deter wooly aphids, whiteflies, squash bug, cucumber beetles and other pests. They do not need fertilizer and will not compete with the vegetables for nutrients. Generally after planting once they will self seed.

2. Don't Forget the Parsley and Petunias!
   
   Parsley – Is a great companion for tomatoes both in the garden and kitchen. It grows well next to carrots and chives, but keep it away from mint. Parsley has trouble in the heat so it may need to be planted later or earlier than tomatoes depending on the climate zone.
   
   Petunias – Are a wonderful ornamental companion for tomatoes. They repel the asparagus beetle, leafhoppers, certain aphids, tomato worms, and general garden pests. For beautiful hanging baskets, cut a slit in several places in hanging coco baskets and insert one cherry tomato and one purple petunia through each opening.

3. Avoid Some Plants – The following plants are best kept away from tomatoes to discourage infestation: Cabbage, Cauliflower, Corn, Celery, Mature Dill, Potato, Pole Beans, Fennel, and Kohlrabi

[pugetsoundgma]

on 6/13/2009 Tomatoes and nicotiana definitely DO NOT go well together in a planter. I found this out after a dismal showing in one of my planter tubs, and then read an article, after the fact, about nicotiana and tomatoes not being good companion plants! This year I have planted my tomato plant in one tub with heliotrope, petunias, geranium, dianthus and one other plant I can't remember the name of. We'll see how it goes. They all will get full sun for about 8-10 hours a day and are in an area where roses and dahlias and lavendar do well in the ground.

[zannie111]

on 5/13/2008 Great article! Thanks!

[SunflowerOcity]

on 11/16/2007 Thanks OutdoorWoman!Check out the book: http://www.amazon.com/Carrots-Love-Tomatoes-Companion-Successful/dp/1580170277/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195232243&sr=8-1

[OutdoorWoman]

on 11/1/2007 This is great info on companion planting. I just started using that technique this year, and I have to say the results were fantastic. I'm eager to learn all I can about it.