What to Plant with Tomatoes: Companion Planting for Success

Companion planting is the practice of planting different species of plants together to benefit each other. One classic example of companion planting is tomatoes and basil. Tomatoes are heavy feeders and require a lot of nutrients, while basil is a natural insect repellent. Planting basil around tomatoes can help to deter pests and provide some additional nutrients to the soil.

Companion planting has been practiced for centuries, and there is a wealth of anecdotal evidence to support its benefits. However, there is also some scientific evidence to suggest that companion planting can improve plant growth and yields. One study, published in the journal HortScience, found that tomatoes planted with basil had higher yields than tomatoes planted alone.

In this article, we will discuss the benefits of companion planting tomatoes with basil, as well as some other plants that can be beneficial to tomatoes.

What To Plant With Tomatoes

When it comes to companion planting tomatoes, there are several key aspects to consider:

• Pest control: Planting basil, marigolds, or nasturtiums around tomatoes can help to deter pests.
• Nutrient provision: Planting beans or peas near tomatoes can help to provide nitrogen to the soil.
• Support: Planting corn or sunflowers near tomatoes can provide support for the tomato plants as they grow.
• Weed suppression: Planting clover or alfalfa around tomatoes can help to suppress weeds.

By considering these aspects, you can create a companion planting scheme that will help your tomatoes to grow healthy and strong. For example, you could plant a row of tomatoes with a row of basil on either side, and then plant a row of beans or peas in front of the tomatoes. This would provide the tomatoes with pest control, nutrient provision, and support, all in one easy-to-manage planting scheme.

Pest control: Planting basil, marigolds, or nasturtiums around tomatoes can help to deter pests.

When it comes to companion planting tomatoes, pest control is a key consideration. Planting basil, marigolds, or nasturtiums around tomatoes can help to deter pests in a number of ways.

• Repellent scents: Basil, marigolds, and nasturtiums all produce strong scents that can repel pests. These scents can mask the scent of tomato plants, making them less attractive to pests.
• Physical barriers: The dense foliage of basil, marigolds, and nasturtiums can create a physical barrier that makes it difficult for pests to reach tomato plants.
• Beneficial insects: Basil, marigolds, and nasturtiums all attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings. These beneficial insects can help to control pests by eating them or their eggs.
• Trap crops: Nasturtiums are particularly effective at deterring pests because they are a trap crop. This means that pests are attracted to nasturtiums, but they are not able to eat them. This can help to draw pests away from tomato plants.

By planting basil, marigolds, or nasturtiums around tomatoes, you can create a natural pest control system that will help to keep your tomatoes healthy and productive.

Nutrient provision: Planting beans or peas near tomatoes can help to provide nitrogen to the soil.

When it comes to companion planting tomatoes, nutrient provision is another key consideration. Planting beans or peas near tomatoes can help to provide nitrogen to the soil, which is an essential nutrient for tomato plants.

• Nitrogen fixation: Beans and peas are legumes, which means that they have the ability to fix nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form that can be used by plants. This process is called nitrogen fixation, and it can help to improve the fertility of the soil.
• Nutrient release: When beans or peas are planted near tomatoes, they can release nitrogen into the soil as they decompose. This can help to provide a steady supply of nitrogen to the tomato plants throughout the growing season.
• Improved soil structure: The roots of beans and peas can help to improve the structure of the soil, making it more porous and easier for water and nutrients to penetrate. This can benefit tomato plants, which require well-drained soil to grow properly.
• Reduced need for fertilizer: By planting beans or peas near tomatoes, you can reduce the need for fertilizer. This can save you money and help to protect the environment.

By planting beans or peas near tomatoes, you can improve the nutrient status of the soil and help your tomato plants to grow healthy and strong. This is just one example of how companion planting can benefit your garden.

Support: Planting corn or sunflowers near tomatoes can provide support for the tomato plants as they grow.

When it comes to companion planting tomatoes, support is another key consideration. Planting corn or sunflowers near tomatoes can provide support for the tomato plants as they grow, helping to prevent them from falling over and breaking. This can be especially important in windy areas or for tall tomato varieties.

• Physical support: Corn and sunflowers have strong stalks that can provide physical support for tomato plants. This can help to prevent the tomato plants from falling over, especially when they are laden with fruit.
• Wind protection: Corn and sunflowers can also provide wind protection for tomato plants. This can help to reduce wind damage and prevent the tomato plants from breaking.
• Improved air circulation: The tall stalks of corn and sunflowers can help to improve air circulation around tomato plants. This can help to reduce the risk of disease and improve the overall health of the tomato plants.
• Reduced need for staking: By planting corn or sunflowers near tomatoes, you can reduce the need for staking. This can save you time and money, and it can also make your garden look more natural.

By planting corn or sunflowers near tomatoes, you can provide support for the tomato plants as they grow. This can help to improve the yield and quality of your tomatoes, and it can also make your garden look more attractive.

Weed suppression: Planting clover or alfalfa around tomatoes can help to suppress weeds.

Weed suppression is an important aspect of companion planting tomatoes. Weeds can compete with tomato plants for water, nutrients, and sunlight, and they can also harbor pests and diseases. Planting clover or alfalfa around tomatoes can help to suppress weeds in a number of ways.

• Ground cover: Clover and alfalfa are both low-growing plants that can form a dense mat of vegetation. This mat can help to block out sunlight and prevent weeds from germinating and growing.
• Competition: Clover and alfalfa are both vigorous growers that can compete with weeds for water and nutrients. This can help to stunt the growth of weeds and make it more difficult for them to establish themselves.
• Allelopathy: Clover and alfalfa both produce allelopathic compounds, which are chemicals that can inhibit the growth of other plants. These compounds can help to suppress the germination and growth of weeds.
• Improved soil structure: Clover and alfalfa can help to improve the structure of the soil, making it more porous and easier for water and nutrients to penetrate. This can benefit tomato plants, which require well-drained soil to grow properly.

By planting clover or alfalfa around tomatoes, you can help to suppress weeds and create a more favorable growing environment for your tomato plants. This can lead to increased yields and improved quality of your tomatoes.

Tips for Companion Planting Tomatoes

Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves planting different species of plants together to benefit each other. When it comes to tomatoes, there are a number of companion plants that can help to improve growth, yield, and quality.

Tip 1: Plant basil around tomatoes to deter pests. Basil is a natural insect repellent, and its strong scent can help to keep pests away from tomato plants.

Tip 2: Plant marigolds around tomatoes to improve soil health. Marigolds are known for their ability to improve soil health, and they can also help to deter pests and diseases.

Tip 3: Plant beans or peas near tomatoes to provide nitrogen. Beans and peas are legumes, which means that they have the ability to fix nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form that can be used by plants.

Tip 4: Plant corn or sunflowers near tomatoes to provide support. Corn and sunflowers have strong stalks that can provide support for tomato plants, helping to prevent them from falling over.

Tip 5: Plant clover or alfalfa around tomatoes to suppress weeds. Clover and alfalfa are both low-growing plants that can form a dense mat of vegetation, which can help to block out sunlight and prevent weeds from germinating and growing.

Summary of key takeaways or benefits

By following these tips, you can create a companion planting scheme that will help your tomatoes to grow healthy and strong. Companion planting can help to improve yields, reduce the need for pesticides and fertilizers, and improve the overall health of your garden.

Transition to the article’s conclusion

In the next section, we will discuss some of the benefits of companion planting tomatoes in more detail.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the topic of “What To Plant With Tomatoes”. We have discussed the benefits of companion planting tomatoes, and we have provided some tips for choosing the best companion plants for your tomatoes.

One of the key takeaways from this article is that companion planting can help to improve the growth, yield, and quality of your tomatoes. By planting the right companion plants, you can deter pests, improve soil health, provide support for your tomato plants, and suppress weeds.

Another key takeaway is that companion planting is a sustainable gardening practice. By using companion plants to improve the health of your tomato plants, you can reduce the need for pesticides and fertilizers. This can help to protect the environment and create a more sustainable food system.

We encourage you to experiment with companion planting in your own garden. By following the tips in this article, you can create a beautiful and productive tomato garden that will provide you with fresh, delicious tomatoes all season long.