QUESTION: I’m growing kale in my vegetable garden. I’m planting summer vegetables now. What is a good companion plant for kale? -Dan T.
Companion planting is a great way to make the most of your gardening space by growing plants near one another that benefit one another, by improving their neighbors’ flavor, offering shade, deterring pests or diseases, or providing other perks. We’ve listed the best companion plants for kale below.
- Beans: Kale is a heavy feeder that needs lots of nitrogen, which bean crops won’t compete for and will actually add to the soil.
- Chives: Along with other allium plants, chives will repel lots of the pests that can plague kale plants.
- Cilantro (also known as coriander): Cilantro attracts hoverflies and other beneficial pollinators to the garden.
- Dill: Dill attracts a variety of pollinating insects that will benefit the whole garden.
- Garlic: Garlic and its allium relatives deter lots of the pests that can plague kale crops.
- Leeks: Like all members of the allium family, leeks will repel a variety of garden pests that can pose problems for your kale plants.
- Lemongrass: Lemongrass repels the tobacco cutworms that can plague kale crops.
- Marigolds: Marigold flowers are known for their ability to repel lots of the insects that can be such pests in the garden.
- Nasturtium: Nasturtiums will keep cabbage loopers away from your kale plants.
- Onions: Onions and other alliums repel a whole slew of pesky insects from your kale plants and the rest of the garden.
- Peppers: Pepper plants won’t compete with kale for the nitrogen that kale needs lots of to thrive.
- Shallots: Shallots and other members of the allium family repel lots of the insects that can cause problems for kale and other plants in the garden.
- Sweet alyssum: Sweet alyssum will attract hoverflies, a beneficial pollinator that also feeds on aphids.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes repel diamondback moths from your kale plants, along with other garden pests and diseases.
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