Some gardeners can successfully grow tomatoes by sticking a few seeds in the ground and forgetting them; the rest of us struggle with stakes, cages, pesticides and fertilizer in our quest for the perfect homegrown Beefsteak. The good news is that there's a tasty and chemical-free way to improve your tomatoes' flavor, growth and resistance to pests and diseases. Companion planting simply encourages you to arrange plants in beneficial groupings, while keeping 'enemy plants' away from each other. It is important to note that companion planting is not an exact science; some groupings are only beneficial in certain climates, or in locations where certain diseases and pests are present.
Plants that Help Tomatoes Grow: Basil, Carrots, Corn, Marigolds
Basil
Most home gardeners grow basil with tomatoes anyway, as the flavours are a culinary delight! Whether or not basil actually makes tomatoes taste better is up for debate—some gardeners claim that you need several basil plants per tomato to have any effect, while others maintain that basil does no good at all. However, plenty of gardeners swear by the combination. Basil is said to repel flies and mosquitoes; it also attracts bees, which improves pollination. As basil is shallow-rooted, it does not compete for water with deep-rooted tomatoes.
Borage
Borage helps deter tomato worms and cabbage worms, as well as increasing tomato flavor and yield. Borage self-seeds after the first year.
Carrots
'Carrots Love Tomatoes' is the name of a popular companion planting book for a reason. The long taproots break up the soil, helping valuable nutrients and moisture find their way to the roots of the tomato plant.
Dill
Curiously enough, dill is both a friend and enemy of tomatoes. The immature plant improves tomato growth; however, once mature, dill begins to stunt the tomato plants.
Marigolds
Adding a bright splash of colour to any potager, marigolds also give your garden a delicious smell. At least, they should—several varieties of marigold exist, but the fragrant French or Mexican breeds are best for companion planting. These marigolds secrete a substance from their roots which repels nematodes, an effect which lingers in the soil for years after the marigolds have disappeared. As there is some disagreement over the edibility of French and Mexican marigolds, it may be best to plant an edible variety as well as a companion breed in your garden.
Nasturtiums
These edible, pretty flowers function as a 'trap crop' for aphids, luring the insects away from the tomato plants.
Parsley
Another flavor enhancer. Grow basil, parsley and tomatoes together for convenience—the flavours taste wonderful together in pasta sauces and sandwiches.
Plants to Avoid Growing With Tomatoes
Brassicas
Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower all retard tomato growth, and share some pests in common.
Corn
One of the principles of companion planting is to avoid grouping plants which attract the same pests. Tomatoes and corn are both afflicted by the tomato fruitworm (or corn earworm, depending on your point of view!); to avoid infestation, it is best to plant these veggies separately.
Fennel
Fennel is an unpopular herb! The plant dislikes many vegetables; in the case of tomatoes, it is reputed to stunt growth.
Potatoes
Early and late blight affect tomatoes and potatoes respectively. Planting them together can result in cross-contamination and the loss of both crops.
Sarah Tennant - Sarah Tennant is a onetime English major who lives in New Zealand with her husband and two small children. Her interests range from ...
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