Garlic is one of the most versatile and flavorful herbs to add to any dish. But its pungent aroma and flavor can be overpowering. If you want to maximize the flavor of your garlic without having it take over your garden, consider companion planting with other herbs and vegetables. Companion planting is the practice of planting two or more plants together for mutual benefit. In this article, we will discuss the best companion plants for garlic, including what qualities to look for and how to maximize their benefits.
The best companion plants for garlic
These are some of my favorite plants to plant alongside broccoli. Lots of cooler weather crops go well when planted alongside garlic. Each plant enhances your garlic crop in some way, and in all likelihood, the garlic will return the favor.
Broccoli
Broccoli and garlic make great companion plants. Growing both of these vegetables together in the same garden can help maximize their yields and flavors. Broccoli is a cool-season crop, while garlic is a warm-season crop, so planting them together gives you the best of both worlds. Broccoli provides shade to the garlic plants, which helps protect them from the sun, while garlic helps to repel harmful pests from the broccoli plants. Additionally, the strong scent of garlic can help to mask the scent of the broccoli and help keep away some pests. Growing these two plants side by side can be a great way to maximize your garden’s productivity.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower is an excellent companion plant for garlic. Not only do the two crops grow well together, but their combination provides a plethora of benefits for the gardener. Cauliflower’s large leaves create a canopy of shade, helping to protect the garlic from direct sunlight. This helps to keep the garlic from drying out or burning, and also helps to keep the garlic’s soil moist. Additionally, cauliflower’s deep root system helps to aerate the soil and provide space for the garlic’s roots to grow. The combination of the two provides a perfect balance of nutrients in the soil, resulting in bigger and more delicious harvests in the garden.
Cabbage
Cabbage is an excellent companion plant for garlic, providing tall foliage to shade the garlic from the sun, and also helping to repel pests. They produce large, dense leaves that do a great job of blocking out the sun’s rays and keeping the garlic cool. It also releases a pungent odor that helps to repel insects and other pests that may be attracted to the garlic. Additionally, cabbage is rich in vital minerals and nutrients, which help to further improve the soil quality, aiding garlic growth.
Peppers
Peppers are a great companion plant for garlic due to their similar growing requirements and the possibility of protecting each other from certain pests. Additionally, they both prefer a full-sun location with well-drained soil that is slightly acidic. The strong odor that garlic emits can help deter pests, while the spicy oils in peppers can also act as a repellent. Additionally, peppers can act as a trap crop for certain pests, drawing them away from the garlic plants. As a bonus, peppers, and garlic both make a tasty combination when cooked together.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes and garlic make a great companion planting combination. Their deep roots bring up nutrients from the soil, while garlic, with its shallow roots, helps suppress weeds and keep pests away. The two plants also help each other to grow better. Garlic can boost the flavor of tomatoes, while tomatoes can shield garlic from the sun and help to keep the soil moist. Growing these two together can help to maximize the yield of your garden and provide you with delicious and nutritious produce.
Eggplants
Eggplants are a great companion plant to garlic, as they provide a number of benefits to the garlic plant. They can help to repel pests such as aphids, spider mites, and flea beetles, which can be damaging to garlic plants. Additionally, they can help to improve the soil quality around garlic plants by fixing nitrogen into the soil, improving its fertility. Eggplants also provide a physical barrier between garlic plants and weeds, reducing competition for resources. Finally, eggplants can provide a tailwind of sorts, as they attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings which prey upon other pests that may damage garlic plants. For these reasons, eggplants are great companion plants for garlic.
Carrots
Carrots help to keep pests away from garlic, but they also add a bit of diversity to the garden. Carrots are an easy-to-grow root vegetable and can provide a great source of nutrition for the garden. They are also great companion plants for garlic because they can be planted in the same bed and will help to improve the soil structure and add additional nutrients. Carrots also help to deter nematodes, which can be a problem for garlic. Additionally, the two plants are not competitive and their root systems can actually help each other, allowing both plants to thrive.
Potatoes
Potatoes are a great companion plant for garlic. Planting them together in the same area will help to improve each plant’s growth and health. Potatoes help to keep the soil well-drained, which helps garlic absorb more moisture. Additionally, the potato plants can help to protect the garlic from pests and disease, as potatoes are a more attractive target for many critters. The garlic also helps to keep the potato plants healthy, as its strong aroma can repel many pests. Planting potatoes and garlic together is a great way to ensure that both crops are healthy and hearty.
Spinach
Spinach is one of my favorite companion plants for garlic, as the two crops have a synergistic effect when grown together. This veggie grows quickly, which helps to provide shade for garlic, and its shallow roots help to keep the soil moist and cool. The strong aroma of garlic also helps to repel some of the pests that might otherwise damage spinach. In addition, spinach is a great addition to any garlic-based dish, adding both flavor and nutrition. Growing spinach and garlic together is a great way to get the most out of your garden and ensure a bountiful harvest.
Kale
Kale has many beneficial qualities that make it an ideal companion for garlic. Kale will help to improve the soil structure, increase water retention and provide a nitrogen boost. Additionally, kale acts as a natural pest deterrent for garlic, deterring aphids, cabbage loopers, and other pests. Kale’s deep root system helps to break up the soil, allowing for better aeration and drainage. Finally, the two plants thrive in similar soil and light conditions, making them a perfect pair in the garden.
Beets
Beets are an excellent companion plant for garlic, as they can help to repel common garlic pests such as aphids, thrips, and wireworms. They also help to improve the soil quality of the area around the garlic plants, adding valuable nutrients such as nitrogen and potassium. Additionally, beets can help to control the spread of weeds, as their dense foliage and root systems can block out the growth of unwanted weeds. Planting beets near garlic can also help to improve the flavor of the garlic, as the presence of the beets can help to enhance its natural sweetness.
Dill
Dill is an incredibly useful companion plant for garlic. Not only does it help to protect garlic from certain types of pests, but it can also help to improve the flavor of garlic. Dill helps to enhance the flavor of garlic by adding a slight anise flavor that complements garlic’s flavor profile perfectly. Additionally, dill’s tall stems also help to provide some shade to help protect garlic from the sun, as garlic prefers to grow in semi-shade. Dill is easy to grow and requires little maintenance, making it a great addition to any garden. So, if you’re looking for a great companion for your garlic, consider adding some dill to your garden!
