Tomatoes Love Carrots: Companion Planting for Better Tomatoes
It should come a no shock that tomatoes have natural allies in the plant world.
These allies help protect the tomato from pests and predators, leave nutrients in the soil that help the plants and fruit to grow, improve flavor, and in turn benefit from the tomato plant properties.
Friends of the Tomato
As a rule of thumb, consider planting your tomatoes near: carrots, beans, celery, cucumbers, lettuces, mint, garlic, chives, parsley, borage, bee balm, oregano, sage, or marigolds.
Basil and onions are also especially friendly, and can easily be planted between rows.
Roses, peppers, and asparagus really love tomatoes, too; and though they don’t offer tomatoes much in return, they get along well.
Enemies of the Tomato
Keep in mind, too, that tomatoes have natural enemies.
Avoid planting tomatoes near: corn, cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, kohlrabi), potatoes, rosemary, peas, fennel, kale, mature dill (young dill can help tomato plant growth but mature dill stunts it), or walnut trees.
Interested in more?
Check out Louise Riotte’s beautifully narrative Carrots Love Tomatoes, one of my favorite gardening books.
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