Garlic is one of the best companion crops out there. A natural pest and fungus deterrent with few incompatible neighbors, garlic is a good crop to plant scattered throughout your garden. Keep reading for information about the benefits of garlic and the key to successful garlic companion planting.
Garlic Companion Planting
Companion planting is a great low maintenance, low impact way to improve the health and flavor of your garden. Mainly because of the tendency of some plants to repel certain pests, there are pairings you can make when you plan your garden that just work.
Garlic, in particular, is something of a wonder plant that improves the quality and health of almost anything it’s planted next to. Garlic takes up very little space and can grow in most conditions, as long as it has full sun. As a result, it will thrive near plenty of other plants that may have more specific growing needs and can benefit from its proximity.
Garlic is definitely one of the more pungent plants you can grow. Maybe it’s because of this that makes it’s so good at driving away pests. It’s a great deterrent to all kinds of pests including:
Garlic can even drive away rabbits and deer. If your garden suffers from any of these creatures, try planting garlic next season. It grows best if planted late in the fall, however, so be careful not to miss its planting season. Garlic also naturally builds up sulfur, which is an effective fungicide for neighboring plants.
Plants That Grow Well With Garlic
Because of its many benefits, the list of plants that grow well with garlic is long. Companion plants for garlic include:
Flower plant companions for garlic include:
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Companion plants for garlic that improve garlic’s overall growth include:
Though few, there are some plants that actually suffer when planted near garlic. Be sure to keep asparagus,peas, beans, sage, and parsley far away from it, as their growth can be stunted.
Companion planting is a great way to effectively grow plants without the use of any harsh chemicals. Plant companions for garlic and the like will help ensure a bountiful season. Simply intersperse your garlic throughout the garden to maximize its many benefits.
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FAQs
Here are some plants that would love to be neighbors with garlic, and some that will want to keep their distance. Tomatoes, potatoes, sweet peppers, eggplant, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, lettuce, beets, parsnips, and carrots are all crops that benefit from garlic's powerful odor to deter common pests.
What is the best companion plant for garlic? ›
When planting your garlic, it's worth noting that it companions well with the following plants:
- Tomatoes.
- Fruit trees.
- Potatoes.
- Cabbages.
- Broccoli.
- Cauliflower.
- Kale.
- Carrots.
She advises: 'Peas, beans, melon, and asparagus should not be planted next to garlic, as the potent garlic will actually stunt its neighbor's growth. ' It is recommended to not plant garlic too close to other alliums, including onions and leeks, as it can encourage onion maggots into the area.
What plant does not like garlic? ›
Though few, there are some plants that actually suffer when planted near garlic. Be sure to keep asparagus, peas, beans, sage, and parsley far away from it, as their growth can be stunted.
What plant should garlic follow? ›
Some great companion plants for garlic include cabbage, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, spinach, beets, and chamomile. These plants complement each other's growth and help deter pests.
What happens if you plant garlic too close together? ›
Too close, garlic plants will compete with each other, to their detriment. Their roots compete for the same, finite nutrients. Leaves overlap, competing for sunlight.
Should garlic be planted in the same spot every year? ›
Prepare the soil
For organic matter, I use a well-aged mixture of compost, leaf mold, and aged rabbit manure. To avoid disease problems, don't plant garlic in the same spot two years running. Prepare several shallow furrows in the soil that are 6 inches apart.
What do you cover planted garlic with? ›
Clean straw, chopped leaves, grass clippings or other types of available mulch can be applied 3-6” inches deep. Organic mulch should be loose enough so that the garlic shoots can emerge through it in the spring.
Can I plant peppers next to garlic? ›
Growing garlic as a companion plant with peppers can help repel or deter aphids and certain beetles from taking over the peppers. 4 Planting garlic around peppers, or peppers among garlic, is another way of maximizing garden space for better yields.
Does garlic need full sun? ›
Garlic grows best with full, direct sun and loose, fertile, well-drained soil. Abundant harvests depend on solid plant nutrition. Enhance your garden beds with a generous 3- to 4-inch layer of organic matter, such as compost.
Garlic can be affected by pests such as onion root maggot, which burrow into the bulbs and cause plants to wilt.
What animal does garlic repel? ›
If moles are digging up your well-groomed lawn, look no further than the powerful garlic plant. Grow garlic around or inside your garden to keep the moles away. The pungent smell of garlic growing can quickly repel these destructive critters. Not to mention, garlic helps keep rabbits out of your yard and garden.
What eats garlic in the garden? ›
Thrips – Lastly, thrips are the garlic plant's most common pest. They suck the sap from the plants, gradually slowing growth and bulb production. If the infestation is severe, entire commercial garlic fields can wilt and die. In additional to those above, garlic plants can, on occasion, be feasted on by snails.
What is garlic a good companion plant for? ›
Here are some plants that would love to be neighbors with garlic, and some that will want to keep their distance. Tomatoes, potatoes, sweet peppers, eggplant, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, lettuce, beets, parsnips, and carrots are all crops that benefit from garlic's powerful odor to deter common pests.
What is the best fertilizer for garlic? ›
Chicken manure is a good option as a fertilizer for garlic as it is a great source of nitrogen and also contains phosphorus, potassium, plus other nutrients needed for strong and healthy plants.
Where is the best place to plant garlic? ›
In general, an area with full sun (between 6 and 8 hours a day) is recommended for garlic. If planted in a shady area, the bulbs will not develop properly and will be very small. Look up the specific requirements for the garlic varieties you'd like to grow.
What is a good cover crop for garlic? ›
We do not use commercial fertilizers or pesticides. To improve the quality of your soil you can work in compost, aged manure, well-rotted straw or peat moss. Growing and turning in a cover crop before planting adds lots of organic material. A good cover crop for garlic is Alfalfa, Hairy Vetch, Buckwheat and Red Clover.
Can I plant garlic next to peppers? ›
Growing garlic as a companion plant with peppers can help repel or deter aphids and certain beetles from taking over the peppers. 4 Planting garlic around peppers, or peppers among garlic, is another way of maximizing garden space for better yields.
Can you plant garlic next to tomatoes? ›
Growing tomato plants next to garlic repels spider mites known to ravage the tomato crop. It seems that while most of us love the pungent flavor and aroma of garlic, the insect world finds it less irresistible.
