The Best Crops to Grow Alongside Garlic for a Productive Garden

Garlic is beloved for its pungent flavor that adds immense depth to dishes across cuisines. But did you know that garlic can also be an invaluable addition to your garden? This versatile vegetable offers benefits beyond just its delicious bulbs. Garlic makes for an excellent companion plant to a wide variety of other crops.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about companion planting with garlic. We’ll explore what plants grow well with garlic, why garlic makes such a great companion, and how interplanting garlic can lead to a healthier, more productive garden

Before diving into specifics on garlic let’s go over a brief overview of companion planting. This is the practice of strategically planting different crops together in a mutually beneficial way. Certain plant pairings can deter pests, increase yields or improve flavor.

Companion planting takes advantage of the natural relationships between plant species. By grouping complementary plants, a garden ecosystem can thrive in harmony. Thoughtful planning allows each plant’s strengths to support others.

When it comes to companion planting, garlic is one of the most useful crops out there. Offering numerous benefits to its neighbors, garlic deserves a prime spot in any garden.

Why Garlic Makes a Great Companion

There are several reasons why pairing garlic with other plants is smart:

• Pest deterrence – The strong scent of garlic repels many common insect pests and animals like rabbits.

• Reduced disease – Garlic prevents fungal infections due to its high sulfur content.

• Promotes growth – Garlic may enhance growth and yields of certain vegetables.

• Flavor enhancement – Some herbs like basil and parsley taste better when grown near garlic.

• Beneficial insect attraction – Garlic flowers attract pollinators to the garden.

With minimal downsides, garlic offers mainly advantages to surrounding plants. Working as a natural protectant and growth stimulant, garlic should be a staple companion plant in all gardens.

The Best Vegetables to Grow with Garlic

Many vegetable crops thrive when garlic is planted nearby. Here are some of the best pairings:

• Tomatoes – Garlic repels aphids, spider mites, and worms.

• Potatoes – Deters potato beetles and improves disease resistance.

• Broccoli, cabbage, kale – Discourages damaging caterpillars.

• Carrots – Helps control carrot fly and fungal issues.

• Beets, parsnips – Improves growth.

• Spinach, lettuce – Repels fungus gnats, a common nuisance pest.

Scattering garlic throughout the vegetable garden blocks many pests and diseases. For cabbage-family crops prone to fungal problems, garlic is especially beneficial. It provides a chemical-free way to protect produce.

Fruit Trees That Thrive with Garlic

Garlic also makes an excellent companion for fruit trees and berries:

• Apple trees – Deters aphids, moths, mites, and scab.

• Stone fruits – Peaches, plums, etc. benefit from garlic controlling Japanese beetles and fungal diseases.

• Strawberries – Helps deter slugs, snails, and birds. Prevents mold.

• Raspberries – Repels beetles.

Plant garlic around the base of fruit trees and berry bushes to harness its protective powers. Just be sure to give bulbing garlic enough space away from shallow tree roots.

The Best Herbs to Grow with Garlic

Many culinary herbs positively interact with garlic:

• Basil – Enhances essential oil production and flavor.

• Parsley – Improves growth and deters carrot fly.

• Dill – Repels aphids and spider mites.

• Chives – Boosts growth and flavor; controls beetles.

• Oregano – Natural fungicide when planted together.

• Thyme – Combination drives away cabbage moths.

Since garlic flowers attract beneficial insects, it can also help pollinate herbs like parsley, sage, oregano, and thyme.

Flowers That Bloom Well with Garlic

Don’t limit garlic to just the edible garden! Many beautiful flowers also thrive when garlic is interplanted:

• Roses – Controls aphids, Japanese beetles, black spot.

• Sunflowers – Repels aphids.

• Dahlias – Deters snails and slugs.

• Marigolds – Reduces nematodes and other pests.

• Geraniums – Improves growth and deters Japanese beetles.

Scattered among ornamentals, garlic provides natural pest protection. It looks quite nice when interplanted with flowers too.

How to Effectively Plant Garlic as a Companion

Now that you know what to plant with garlic, let’s look at how to incorporate it into your garden:

• Crop placement – Position garlic in empty spots between crops, around borders, or near plants it benefits.

• Garlic needs – Must have full sun (6+ hours) and well-drained soil. Dig in compost before planting.

• Planting time – Garlic is planted in fall in most regions and overwinters. Plant 4-6 weeks before first frost.

• Planting method – Break bulbs into individual cloves. Place cloves 2-4 inches apart and 1-2 inches deep.

• Ongoing care – Weed and water when soil dries out. Mulch for moisture retention and weed suppression.

With the right placement and care, interplanted garlic will thrive while benefiting surrounding plants. A little strategic planting goes a long way!

Avoid Pairing Garlic with These Crops

While garlic pairs positively with most plants, there are a few exceptions:

• Legumes – Can stunt growth of beans, peas, soybeans, and peanuts.

• Asparagus – Allelopathic compounds may inhibit asparagus growth.

• Sage – Some reports of stunted growth, possibly from sulfur compounds.

If you’re devoted to growing garlic, consider situating legumes and asparagus elsewhere. There are still plenty of great pairing options!

Reaping the Benefits of Companion Garlic

By thoughtfully incorporating garlic amongst your plantings, you can unlock a number of advantages:

• Pest and disease reduction – Garlic serves as a natural deterrent and fungicide.

• Increased yields – Helps many plants grow better with less pest damage.

• Improved crop flavor – Enhances essential oils of some herbs.

• Less maintenance – Reduces need for chemical pest control sprays.

• Harvest garlic too! – Get a bounty of garlic bulbs in summer after supporting plants all season.

With so many benefits and few drawbacks, garlic is invaluable for any garden. Make room for this versatile companion! Both you and your plants will reap wonderful rewards.

As you can see, garlic has a rightful place beside many crops in the garden. Offering pest protection, disease prevention, and mutually beneficial relationships, garlic should be integrated into any space.

Some key takeaways to remember:

• Garlic deters insects, animals, and diseases when planted strategically

• Pairs well with tomatoes, fruits, herbs, flowers, and many vegetables

• Plant garlic in fall about 4 weeks before frost

• Needs full sun and well-drained soil enriched with compost

• Avoid planting near legumes and asparagus

Employing companion planting strategies with garlic and other crops leads to better results all around. Get ready for your healthiest, most productive garden yet by making garlic a companion planting priority!