Companion Planting Guide

Pairing the right plants together naturally deters pests, improves pollination, and makes the most of limited garden space — without a single spray.

Good pairings

• Tomatoes + basil — basil repels aphids and whiteflies, and many gardeners believe it improves tomato flavor.
• Carrots + onions — onions mask the scent that attracts carrot flies.
• Beans + corn — corn stalks give climbing beans a natural trellis, and beans fix nitrogen for the corn.
• Marigolds + almost anything — their scent deters nematodes and many common garden pests.

Pairings to avoid

• Tomatoes + potatoes — both attract the same blight, so they're best kept in separate beds.
• Onions + beans — onions can stunt bean growth when planted too closely.