I love to harvest onions. They smell warm and onion-y, and since I am pretty much willing to throw them into anything, they are always a welcome harvest. Onions are super duper easy to grow, but I like to use companion planting anyway.
Mostly, onions provide protection for other plants {the smell masks the presence of other plants, which tricks pests into thinking it’s not worth stopping off for a bite to eat}. There are a couple of plants, though that onions do well with.
I’ve come up with a handy dandy list of companion plants for onions, because, as I’ve mentioned before, lists are awesome.
- Lettuce. Lettuce has a different root depth than onions, so it won’t compete for underground soil space if it is planted together.
- Carrots. Again, carrots have different depths than onions, so they do well in tight quarters.
- Cabbage. Anything in the cabbage family {Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, etc.} all do well WITH onion.
- Chamomile. Chamomile improves the flavor of onions.
- Summer Savory. Like Chamomile, savory is rumored to improve the flavor of onions.
- Strawberries. Strawberries really benefit more from onions. Onions help strawberries fight off disease.
- Leeks. Leeks can confuse onion flies–and therefore deter them.
Do you grow onions? Do you use companion planting when you do?
~Mavis
SHARE:
Ann Carpenter says
When you companion plant do you MIX the seeds? layer the seeds? reseed when one has started to grow? Sorry I ma asking what may seem stupid questions but I have never heard of this except to maybe plant marigolds around the garden to deter pests.
Deirdre says
Hi Ann, companion plants are used to deter garden pests just as marigolds do,
specific herbs aid specific plants by encouraging healthy environment and growth.
Makes kitchen gardening fun I find.
D McNally says
Can you grow green onions in the same planter with tomatoes? Spring onions.
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes!
Joe C. says
Hello Mavis,
I have a Cherry tomato on one side and onion/scallions on the other side of a small raised planter. I’ve tried to put Marigold between them but they keep dying within 4 or 5 days of planting. What am I doing wrong?