optimal beet plant pairings for bountiful harvests - along with those to steer clear of
Improving Your Beet Yield: Top Companion Plants to Boost Crop Health and Quantity
Optimize your vegetable garden by strategic companion planting. A diverse selection of vegetables, herbs, and flowers makes excellent beet companion plants, enhancing crop growth and yield. Discover our recommended beet companions below.
When growing beets, consider these plants to reap the advantages of increased crop production and improved pest resistance:
Pest Deterrents: Allium Members
Allium family members, including garlic, onions, leeks, and shallots, profitably share space with beets due to their strong aroma, which deters numerous pests such as aphids, cutworms, armyworms, rabbits, voles, and deer.
Space-Efficient Intercropping Partner: Lettuce
Swift-growing lettuce complements beets by occupying minimal space and not competing with them for essential nutrients. This enhanced utilization of garden space maximizes yield. When incorporated into warmer months, lettuce provides shade that benefits the beets.
Soil Enrichment: Bush Beans
Nitrogen-fixing bush beans are advantageous companions for beets, as they provide a consistent supply of necessary nutrients, rendering additional fertilization unnecessary.
Co-existence: Cabbage
Cabbage shares similar growth requirements as beets, and both plants coexist harmoniously, as neither negatively affects the other's growth or yield.
Pest Repellent: Catnip
Catnip, a mint family member, efficiently repels various vegetable pests, including flea beetles and aphids, acting as a defensive neighbor for beets.
"Trap Crop": Radishes
Radishes serve as an effective "trap crop" for root maggots. Planting radishes with beets lures pests away from the main crop, helping to minimize potential damage.
Soil Improvement and Shading: Sage
Improve soil structure and create a cool microclimate by growing sage near beets. Its strong scent repels many pests, enhancing overall plant health. Sage is particularly effective in discouraging rabbits from grazing on beets.
Avoid These Companions
While several plants prove beneficial as beet companions, some should be avoided to prevent potential damage:
- Pole beans: Pole beans can shade out beets or intertwine with their foliage, stunting growth.
- Parsley: Parsley is known to stunt nearby plants, so it's best to avoid it as a beet companion.
- Potatoes: Potatoes are voracious feeders competing with beets for water and nutrients.
- Fennel: A chemical-releasing plant, fennel can hinder beet growth; plant it carefully or away from most other vegetables.
FAQs
Can I plant beets next to tomatoes?
Though growing tomatoes as beet companion plants can provide shade and similar watering needs, it is important to note that tomatoes are heavy feeders. To ensure both crops receive the necessary nutrients, feeding the soil is essential. Additionally, two flowers that repel pests often found near beets are marigolds and nasturtiums. Incorporating these into your vegetable garden offers numerous benefits, including pest control and aesthetic enhancement.
Sources:
- Gardener's Path (2021). 7 Beet Companion Plants to Maximize Your Yield. [Online] Available at: https://gardenerspath.com/vegetable-gardening/companion-plants-for-beets/
- Planet Natural (2021). Vegetable Companion Planting. [Online] Available at: https://www.planetnatural.com/companion-planting/vegetables/
- The Spruce (2021). The Best Companion Plants for Beets. [Online] Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/great-companion-plants-for-beets-2653858
- Joe Gardener (n.d.). 15 Best Companion Plants for Beets [Growing Guide]. [Online] Available at: https://joegardener.com/15-best-companion-plants-for-beets/
- Kitchen Gardener (2021). What Plants Can I Plant With Beets? [Online] Available at: https://kitchen-gardener.com/companions-for-beets/
Planting catnip, a member of the mint family, near your beet garden may help repel flea beetles and aphids, creating a protective environment for your crops. Lettuce, known for its swift growth and minimal space requirements, is an efficient intercropping partner for beets, maximizing your garden's yield without competition for essential nutrients. Additionally, sage, with its ability to improve soil structure and provide cool microclimates, can boost your beet garden's health by repelling various pests and creating a more hospitable environment for your beets.
