These Are The Six Best Companion Plants For Broccoli To Improve The Overall Health And Flavor Of Your Harvest
Broccoli is a favorite veggie for many, but growing it in your garden can be both rewarding and challenging.
As a cool-season crop, broccoli thrives in milder temperatures. However, it’s not just the weather that can impact its health and yield.
Rather, the secret to a big broccoli harvest might just be the company it keeps.
I’m talking about companion planting, a method of growing different plants close to each other for various benefits – such as pest control, pollination, providing a habitat for beneficial insects, maximizing your use of space, and increasing crop productivity.
Why Companion Plants Benefit Broccoli
Broccoli benefits from companion planting in several ways. Certain plants can deter pests naturally, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
Meanwhile, others can enhance the soil’s nutrient content or help manage space and sunlight more effectively.
Companion plants can also help improve the overall health and flavor of the broccoli, making your gardening efforts more fruitful and your vegetable patch more vibrant.
So, here are some of the best companion plants for this beloved brassica.
barmalini – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only
Garlic
Garlic is a powerhouse when it comes to protecting broccoli. It actually releases sulfur, which not only improves the flavor of broccoli but also acts as a natural repellent against pests like aphids and certain types of beetles.
So, planting garlic around your broccoli can create a protective barrier that smells great to us but is a deterrent to pests. The best part? Garlic simply requires well-drained soil and can be planted in the fall for a late spring harvest, making it easy to sync with broccoli’s growing season.
Beets
Beets can be great neighbors for broccoli as well since they don’t compete for nutrients. Instead, beets can help to loosen the soil around broccoli, which improves the soil structure and helps broccoli’s root development.
Beets also need plenty of phosphorus and relatively little nitrogen, which makes them ideal to plant alongside nitrogen-hungry broccoli.
All you have to do is sow beet seeds directly into well-drained soil and water regularly for best results.
Spinach
Spinach is another excellent companion for broccoli. It helps to shade the soil, keeping the ground cooler and retaining moisture. This can be particularly beneficial during warmer spells.
Spinach also draws nutrients up from lower soil layers, which can then be accessed by broccoli’s roots.
To reap these benefits, simply plant your spinach seeds in early spring or fall, and ensure they receive ample water to avoid them bolting to seed.
Onions
Like garlic, onions are beneficial for broccoli, too, because they can help repel pests. The strong scent of onions is actually believed to mask the odor of broccoli, making it harder for pests to locate their target.
Onions just need a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil. It’s best to plant them in early spring, and they’ll be ready to harvest by late summer or early fall.
Lettuce
Lettuce makes a good companion for broccoli by helping to keep the soil moist and cool, thanks to its broad leaves shading the ground. This is particularly beneficial during hot weather.
Lettuce is also easy to grow and requires only moderate sunlight – making it a versatile companion in a garden that might be shaded by larger broccoli plants.
Marigolds
Lastly are marigolds, which aren’t just pretty flowers but also very effective at repelling pests – including beetles and nematodes that may harm broccoli.
Plus, these bright flowers also attract beneficial insects that prey on pests. So, simply plant marigolds around the perimeter of your broccoli plot for maximum protection and an added splash of color.
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