How to Use Onion as a Companion Plant

Companion planting is the process of planting different types of plants in close proximity of each other to help create a better environment for the plants. Through companion planting you can provide nourishment and a natural bug repellent at the same time by just planting two different plants next to each other. Certain plants work better than others for this purpose, and onions are one of those.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Onion "sets" or seeds
• Vegetable garden

1. Know that onions are another staple in most kitchens and they can help out your vegetable garden as well. Some gardeners believe that onions planted near carrots can help keep away carrot rust flies and root maggots (the result of carrot rust flies) and planted near potatoes they can help keep away Colorado potato beetles. Onions are easy to grow from seed or you can buy sets and plant them directly into the garden.

2. Plant your onions near cabbage, beets, strawberries and lettuce. Summer savory, another herb, planted near onions can improve their flavor as well.

3. Harvest your onions when the tops turn brown. When the tops begin to turn yellow, knock them over. You can dry them right in the garden, making sure they don't touch each other. The tops should be laid over the drying onions to protect them from scalding from the sun.

4. Don't plant onions near peas, beans and sage, they do not compliment each other in the garden.