Have you planted your zucchini yet? If you are looking to maximize space in your garden this summer, companion planting is definitely the way to go. Below is a list of my favorite 10 Companion Plants to Grow with Zucchini.
I love to plant zucchini in the garden because it’s so freaking expensive in the store. One plant will produce a ton of zucchini–making it a small space investment with big yields.
Zucchini is super susceptible to a couple of pests, though, so I try to use companion planting as part of my zucchini growing game plan.
Here’s my list of top 10 companion plants to grow with zucchini.
Nasturtiums. Nasturtiums repel pests.
Parsley. Parsley also deter pests from zucchini.
Spinach. Spinach benefits from the shade zucchini provides in the dead of summer, and zucchini benefits from the nutrients spinach leaves behind.
Radish. Radishes repel squash vine borers and beetles.
Garlic. Garlic repels aphids. And vampires.
Corn. Corn also helps to deter squash vine borers.
Beans. Beans fix nitrogen to the soil, zucchini love nitrogen.
Peas. Second verse, same as the first: these do the same thing as beans.
Borage. Attracts bees, which you will need to pollinate the zucchini.
Mint. Mint also deters aphids.
Zucchini plays nice with most plants {except potatoes, since they share a lot of the same pests}, but these ones are my fav because they actually provide some level of nutrients or protection for the zucchini.
How about you, what do you plant next to your zucchini?
~Mavis
Charleen says
Last year I had a huge problem with vampires sucking my zucchini dry. I am glad to know that garlic will work on Zucchini vampires as well. Thanks so much for the info!
Patty from the NW says
Ahh great idea for those vampires… I will need to add garlic too 🙂
Patty from the NW
Patty from the NW says
Oh thank you Mavis :).
I have had good success growing a couple of zucchini plants the last couple of years in my 4X4 raised box. Do you start with seeds or starters. I couldn’t find starters last weekend but I have seed packets. I plan to plant some this coming weekend.
I didn’t know what were good companion plants to also put with these. Your article helps so much. Also do you have a good recipe for a natural pest spray? I am already seeing my lettuce plants having been eaten a bit. and last year we had slugs…gross!! Do you have suggestions for these guys too? And, since I am asking a million questions to you, do you have a suggestion of how to store extra zucchini? Do you freeze it if you have abundance? We had so much with just 2 plants for my husband and myself….Thank you SOOOOO Much 🙂
Your neighbor Patty from the NW here in GH
Have a great day with all this beautiful weather~
Mavis Butterfield says
It’s a toss up. Sometimes I’ll start my zucchini from seed in the garden and sometimes I’ll start them in the house under grow lights and transplant them out. If you are looking for starts the Farmer’s market always has a nice selection. Also, I used Sluggo in the garden. Works like a charm. 🙂
Patty from the NW says
Thank you Mavis
mary payne says
i grate my extra and freeze it in 1 cup portions…just right for zucchini loaf in the winter…also drop a bag into soups and stews….hidden extra fiber as you dont even know that it is in there…trade it to someone for their extra stuff…many people quit growing squash and zucchinis as they produce to much.
Janae Miller says
This works so well! I do the same! 🙂
NanB says
I have had a lot of luck freezing my zucchini, I grate it with a large size cheese grater, shake a little salt on it and put it in a colander for a hour or two, then I put it in freezer bags, 2 cups of zucchini per bag, for using in breads, spaghetti sauce etc…. It keeps very well and easy to use in recipes.
Moe says
I know its been years since you posted your questions but… in regards to slug prevention, I read in an organic gardening book that beer attracts slugs! Bury a bottle of beer close to your plant and they will crawl in but wont come back out. I havent tested it out yet but I intend to do so if I spot slugs this year!
GINA says
I’ve been doing lots of reading about companion planting. I have tried it some in the past, but I am so CLUELESS LOL!
Does anyone have any actual pictures of beds that are planted with companions? I just need to see it – how far to plant as a companion so that the plant doesn’t choke out the companion? I would really love to see some pictures of some beds planted with companions. I guess I’m a completely visual learner 🙂
I’m just planting my garden here in mid MO and am hoping to do everything I can to maximize my small area and help my plants do well.
THANK YOU!
Preppy Pink Crocodile says
Gina- Pinterest will be your best friend here. Just type in companion planting in the search box and you will get all the visuals you can dream of!
KK @preppycrocodile
Spring Bentley says
I have always been interested in the ‘ Three Sisters’ theory. It is an Native American Indian tradition…Google it!
Preppy Pink Crocodile says
Oooh I didn’t realize radish repelled SVB! We get it wicked bad in our community garden here. Will add radish to that area this year to see if it helps for sure! Thanks for the tip.
sclindah says
The South is terrible for squash bugs and borers. The best things I’ve found is to plant catnip with your squash plants. It works great at repelling those horrible squash plant killers!
Carrie says
I may try the catnip tip! My concern would then be if the neighborhood cats would be getting their fix then rolling, digging or pooing in my beds…
Kim King says
Hi..we live in Phoenix , AZ…zucchini, tomatoes and Eggplant do great but attract tons of ants…how can I safely eliminate the ants without killing off my plants?
Thanks
Wolfe says
I suspect that peppers do not help zucchini. This is the first year that I did not have good yields from my zukes, and they were surrounded by bells and chillies. The chili peppers didn’t care.