Garlic Companion Plants To Add to Your Garden

If you’re planning your seasonal garden right now, you’ll want to know the best garlic companion plants to add to support the growth of this culinary favorite. However, some species don’t get along well with the bulb, so it’s important to plan ahead and plant strategically. Join us as we discuss the perks of companion planting and the best garlic companion plants to help you get started.

Why companion planting?

Diversity is the cornerstone of any healthy ecosystem, and your garden is no exception. Here are some of the ways you can boost productivity by cultivating certain species together:

Creates symbiotic relationships between plants

In nature, beneficial relationships are everywhere. Trees communicate with each other through fungal networks deep beneath the surface, friendly insects pollinate crops, and plants give nutrients back to the soil when they die off. There are countless ways the plants in your garden can benefit each other. You just need to plan accordingly to make the most of these companion plant relationships. 

Garlic has powerful antifungal and antibacterial properties that make it a valuable player in your garden’s ecosystem. You can plant it alongside veggies that are highly susceptible to mildew, fungus, and other various blights. In turn, these neighbors may provide ground cover to ensure the soil stays moist for your garlic bulbs. 

Companion plants can draw away pests from other plants

Unless you’re growing in a heavily controlled environment and using lots of pesticides, pests are bound to find their way into your garden. However, certain companions can lure these critters away from your prized plants by serving as a dietary decoy.

Garlic’s pungent odor can also drive away pests like onion flies, aphids, and fungus gnats. Meanwhile, the colorful flowers can attract beneficial pollinators to your plot. 

Enhances soil 

In general, the characteristics of each species in your garden should work well with the others. One common example of this is planting beans and legumes to increase nitrogen in their soil.

Garlic roots are great at breaking up tough, compacted soil to make way for more tender crops. Additionally, the chemical properties of the bulb can inhibit nearby plants from absorbing heavy metals. It can also encourage healthy enzyme activity and boost nutrient availability for other neighbors. 

Best garlic companion plants for the garden

When it comes to companion planting with garlic, you’ll find many different pairings that benefit every species in your plot. Here are some of the best companions to help your garlic grow: 

Vegetables

Plenty of companion plants reap the rewards of growing near garlic. These include nightshades, such as tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplant, and brassica companion plants like broccoli and cauliflower. You’ll also find that certain root crops like beets and carrots make good neighbors for garlic.

The growth habits of garlic and many vining plants like cucumber also support each other. Cucumbers offer valuable ground cover for garlic, while garlic returns the favor by helping cucumber plants resist mildew. 

Fruits

Due to its powerful antifungal properties, garlic is a great companion for fruit trees. Whether you grow figs, satsumas, peaches, or blackberries, consider planting a ring of garlic around the base of each plant. The sulfur-rich bulbs will deter aphids, spider mites, and other pests and protect your trees and bushes from disease. 

Flowers and herbs

Certain flowers, including marigolds, nasturtiums, roses, and geraniums, have different nutrient needs than garlic but thrive under the same growing conditions. So, they tend to balance each other out. Dill, tarragon, yarrow, and chamomile will also thrive alongside these bulbs. Many gardeners also claim that garlic and basil boost each other’s flavor profiles.

What not to plant with garlic

Some combinations are just bad for everyone in the garden. Here are some plants you’ll want to keep far away from your garlic:

Vegetables

Asparagus, beans, and peas don’t make good neighbors for garlic. In fact, you might find that all your plants exhibit stunted growth when these species are near one another. And although garlic and onions are closely related, they can compete for essential nutrients. 

Flowers and herbs

You’ll also want to plant parsley and sage in another part of your garden to avoid stunted growth. However, most other herbs and flowers make excellent garlic companion plants. 

Fruits

While some claim that garlic and fruits like strawberries grow well together, others believe they inhibit one another. You might need to test how they perform in your own garden to decide for yourself.

Ensure your garden thrives with Whitwam Organics!

No matter how your garden grows, Whitwam Organics is here to help! Through hands-on consultations with gardening experts and our extensive catalog of live plants and seeds that thrive in Florida’s hot, humid climate, we provide countless resources for local gardeners.

Whether you’re new to gardening or a seasoned professional, we’re here to ensure your crops thrive! Contact us today for more information about our services.