Not only does nutrient-rich Garlic offer benefits to humans, but it also entertains its companion plants, minimizing their classic problems.
If you do not feel comfortable using chemical pesticides but wondering about natural means, Garlic is the one you need.
Therefore, continue reading to learn how Garlic acts as a shield and the best plants that enjoy the company of Garlic.
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What are the Benefits of Garlic as Companion Plant?
Garlic (Allium sativum) is one of the most popular herbs all over the globe for its fantastic flavor.
Although this beneficial plant is a perennial vegetable, many people grow it annually.
An adult and mature Garlic can reach almost one and a half feet with an erect growing habit.
Garlic has a delicious flavor and many other advantages, including boosting the immune system and preventing cancer.
But you may ask what is beneficial about using Garlic as a companion plant.
Garlic offers many benefits as a companion plant. Therefore, let us dive right in, shall we?
1. Natural Insects Repellant
Gardeners are often troubled by insects when growing vegetables, but growing Garlic in companion with them is the solution.
Some insects that steer away from Garlic are Aphids, Mites, Caterpillars, Japanese Bettles, and even Mosquitoes.
Therefore, by placing Garlic plants, you can ward off insects from your garden.
2. Attract Pollinating Insects
While standing firm and tall, guarding against eyesore insects, Garlic attracts important pollinators.
Furthermore, Garlic produces pinkish-white flowers from Spring to Summer that also help to attract butterflies.
However, you shall not remove the Garlic scapes if you plan to see beautiful blooms of Garlic.
3. Improves Soil Nutrition
Another important benefit of planting Garlic plants as a companion plants is that they do not announce a competition for nutrients.
But some plants tend to begin nutrition rivalry, causing negative impacts on growth.
Therefore, Garlic is a great companion plant that helps to maintain soil better.
10 Best Garlic Companion Plants
Now you know the benefits of Garlic as a companion plant, but you need to know which ones to keep.
Generally, you need to consider identical or similar plant care requirements before planting them together.
Garlic prefers full sun for at least 6 hours with well-draining soil rich in organic matter of pH 6 to 8.
Therefore, you need to choose plants that have similar growing care requirements.
1. Fruit Trees
Fruiting plants like Apples, Peaches, Apricots, and Pear trees enjoy the companionship of Garlic.
The antifungal property of Garlic bulbs plays a crucial role in preventing potential infection problems.
As a companion plant, Garlic seemingly helps Apple trees fight Apple scab problems and curling leaves in Peaches.
Generally, Garlic will stay on guard throughout all warm seasons but retire during winter.
2. Tomatoes
Growing shiny, juicy Tomatoes without using chemical pesticides is often rare. Some of the sworn enemies of Tomatoes include Spider mites, Aphids, and Beetles.
But intercropping Garlic with Tomatoes can be a great rescuer to keep the plant insects free.
Moreover, you shall preplan the intercropping plant process to protect your young Tomatoes.
Try planting tomatoes between the Garlic plants in the late spring or fall to prevent Tomatoes from weeds.
3. Lettuce
Lettuce is another vegetable that prefers to have Garlic as a companion plant.
By intercropping Lettuce and Garlic, you can increase the yield by efficiently using space.
Planting both Lettuce and Garlic together can eliminate weed growth and repel insects.
4. Potatoes
Do you know? According to a study, Potatoes in the Garlic companionship help control Potato Beetle.
Meanwhile, Garlic’s intense fragrance helps perplex insects that love to feast upon Potatoes.
Therefore, you shall practice intercropping Potatoes and Garlic together.
For efficient intercropping, try circularly planting Garlic around the Potato mound.
5. Carrots
When planted together, Carrots and Garlic share a symbiotic relationship.
Specifically, it means that both plants look out for each other and provide help.
Garlic keeps away insects that feast upon Carrots, such as Carrot flies, whereas the Carrot prevents pest infestation on Garlic.
Therefore, you should grow Carrots between the rigid and tall defense of the Garlic plant.
6. Cabbage
In addition to its antifungal and pest-repellent properties, Garlic is an effective rodent deterrent.
Some animals that dislike the Garlic smell are rabbits, squirrels, moose, and deer.
Hence, surrounding leafy vegetables like Cabbage with Garlic protects them from being eaten by Cabbage loopers, Cabbage maggots, Cabbage worms, and Japanese beetles.
7. Peppers
Another plant that prefers to have the defensive wall of Garlic, along with many other benefits, is Pepper.
Rather than planting the Peppers alone, you shall use Garlic around them to naturally boost the soil quality.
The study also mentions pepper-garlic intercropping as a cost-effective and eco-friendly organic system.
8. Chamomile
If you enjoy Chamomile tea and have it growing in your garden, you should plant Garlic around it.
The intercropping of Chamomile and Garlic seemed to elevate the quality of the Chamomile.
Furthermore, as a companion plant, Garlic helps grow Chamomile.
Similarly, you can use the benefits of Garlic companionship with other herbs like Dill.
9. Roses
Frustrated with bugs eating your gorgeous Roses every time? The intense scent of Garlic is on the rescue to keep your Roses protected.
Moreover, the Stinking Rose protects the sweet fragrant Roses, ironic! Wouldn’t you agree?
Stinking Rose is the common name for Garlic for its strong, intense scent and its relation to the Allium family.
Planting Garlic alongside Roses protects them from aphid infestation.
10. Geraniums
Other than Roses, Geraniums enjoy and get encouraged for better growth from Garlic companionship.
Moreover, Garlic protects the Geranium from insect invasions while attracting pollinators.
For more efficient results, you shall plant two rows of Garlic between the two rows of Geranium.
Some Bad Companion Plants for Garlic
Even though there are tons of plants that prefer to stay around Garlic, some plants do not get along with Garlic.
Moreover, plants’ care need is crucial in determining whether they will go together.
Often the wrong choice of plants for intercropping with Garlic results in more damage with degrading plants’ health.
Due to the sulfur release from the Garlic roots, many plants suffer from sulfur toxicity.
Some of the plants that should not be planted anywhere near Garlic to avoid stunted growth are:
- Beans
- Peas
- Asparagus
- Parsley
- Sage
- Other Alliums
There is an ongoing debate among gardeners on whether to plant Garlic as a companion to Strawberries.
Many gardeners claim keeping Garlic near Strawberries helped to reduce and control pest infestation.
But, some claim that Garlic stunts the growth of Strawberries while discouraging the production of berries.
Therefore, plant Garlic and Strawberries in alternate rows while maintaining a wide gap between them.
Care Tips for Garlic While Planting with Companion Plants
Now the hard part of choosing which plant to grow along Garlic is over. You need to know how to provide optimal care.
Therefore, follow the care routine outlined below to keep Garlic plants happy and healthy.
- Water your plants every three to five days to keep the soil hydrated.
- Apply some fertilizer during early Spring with Nitrogen-rich fertilizers like chicken manure to promote optimal growth.
- If you have flowering plants as companion plants, opt for Phosphoric fertilizers to encourage blossoms.
- Find an optimal place for plants to get full sun for 6 to 7 hours daily.
- Keep a close eye on plants for potential signs of improper conditions and problems.
From Editorial Team
Conclusion!
Maintain the soil well draining with proper aeration and a slightly acidic nature.
Moreover, the adaptable qualities of Garlic act as a shield in the midst of it, protecting and promoting the better growth of its companion plants.
Happy Gardening!
