Carrot Companion Plants: The Do’s and Don’ts

Companion planting with carrots can make the difference between a bountiful harvest and a measly return on your efforts. By carefully selecting the right species to grow alongside your root crops, you can maximize space, repel pests, attract beneficial insects, and create the perfect environment for your carrots. 

Before filling your cart with seeds and starts, make sure you know the effects each plant will have on your main crop. 

Today, we’re serving up all the juicy details on companion planting with carrots so you can avoid heartache at harvest time.

Plants to pair with carrots in your garden

Every plant in your garden has particular needs. Some are heavy feeders, while others actually leach essential elements like nitrogen into the soil. Certain species like to send their roots straight down, and others tend to sprawl just beneath the surface.

Companion planting uses each species' attributes to find its perfect mate. This practice is especially helpful in organic gardening, as it can reduce the need for pesticides and other chemical applications. 

Consider this your companion-planting guide for carrots!

Onions help keep carrot pests away from your garden

Carrot rust flies are one of the main pests that feed on the crop. The larvae tunnel through tender roots and remain hidden even after harvest. You might not discover them until you slice open your veggie and find the mush they’ve left behind. 

Fortunately, onions and other alliums, such as garlic, scallions, and shallots, can deter these pesky insects. Their pungent smell is often enough to keep them away.

Additionally, alliums’ shallow roots won’t compete with your carrots. Better yet, they take longer to mature, so they’ll protect your crop until harvest time.

Rosemary deters carrot rust flies

If alliums aren’t enough to keep carrot flies at bay, consider bordering your garden beds with rosemary plants. These fragrant perennials can mask the scent that draws these bugs to your crop. 

In addition to repelling certain pests, rosemary also supports beneficial insects like ladybugs, butterflies, and bees. And unlike annuals, the herb will continue working hard year after year. 

Marigolds are perfect for attracting beneficial insects

Marigolds are another companion plant that does double duty in the garden. Their bright colors attract hoverflies, ladybugs, and pollinators. At the same time, they deter harmful pests such as nematodes, psyllids, and cabbage moths. Plus, they’ll add joyful pops of yellow and orange to the landscape.

This is another one to place around the edge of your plot instead of interplanting among your carrots. 

Legumes will enrich the soil around your carrots

Legumes are famous for their nitrogen-fixing abilities. They absorb the nutrient from the air and deposit it in nodules on their roots, eventually releasing it back into the soil. 

You can plant beans, peas, or lentils alongside your carrots to help ensure they have healthy soil with plenty of nitrogen. This combination might not be the best-kept gardening secret, but it’s certainly effective!

Tomatoes provide perfect shading for carrots

Tomatoes and carrots aren’t just tasty together in a salad. These two plants can actually benefit each other in your garden bed. Tomatoes produce an organic compound called solanine that deters harmful pests. Meanwhile, carrots lure beneficial bugs, such as certain parasitic wasps that fight off tomato hornworms.

You can also grow these plants together to maximize space in your garden. Consider placing tomatoes in the center of the bed with carrots filling in the outer edges. On hot, sunny days, the towering tomatoes will provide much-needed shade to the carrots below.

Lettuce can keep soil moist for your carrots

Companion planting with lettuce is another way to make the most of your carrot plot’s square footage. This light feeder has shallow roots that won’t compete with your carrots for essential nutrients, even when you space them as close as 3” apart. Lettuce will help shade the soil below, which reduces evaporation and keeps your growing medium nice and moist. 

Plants to avoid pairing with your carrots in the garden

Not every plant plays nicely with carrots. In fact, certain herbs and vegetables could be detrimental to your crop. Here are three to avoid growing nearby.

Potatoes would compete with carrots for nutrients

Both carrots and potatoes require substantial underground real estate. When planted in close proximity, they compete for resources and ultimately stunt one another. You have to consider the harvesting process, too. Pulling potatoes from the ground is highly disruptive and can stunt your growing carrots. 

These two crops also have very different water needs. More drought-resistant carrots can rot in soil moist enough to support potatoes. 

Finally, carrots and potatoes are susceptible to many of the same diseases and pests. Planting them together increases the risk of serious problems. 

Celery demands too much water to pair with carrots 

Carrots and celery are another doomed combination. Celery requires much more water than carrots can tolerate. Additionally, they’ll compete with each other for many of the same nutrients. Celery roots can even strangle delicate carrots if they’re too close together. 

To make matters worse, they tend to attract the same harmful pests, like carrot rust flies. For the best results, keep these two apart. 

Dill would actually attract certain pests

Dill can be a magnet for problematic insects, including aphids, spider mites, and carrot flies. It also produces chemical compounds that hinder the growth of carrots. 

Finally, carrots and dill are both members of the Apiaceae family, also known as Umbelliferae. As close relatives, they can cross-pollinate with one another. The resulting seeds will produce something in between that’s likely inedible. We suggest giving these two plenty of space. 

Whitwam Organics is your go-to expert in everything gardening!

Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or you’re planning for your first vegetable garden, Whitwam Organics has everything you need to succeed. From plants and seeds to expert advice, we’re your one-stop garden shop. 

We’re dedicated to sharing our passion for gardening with the world. Our in-person and virtual consultations can help you master your landscape or office sanctuary. We can’t wait to hear from you!