GROW BETTER FRUIT WITH COMPANION PLANTING

A Country Garden Journal may earn commission for purchases made after clicking links on this page. Learn More. This comes at no extra cost to you.

GROW BETTER FRUIT WITH COMPANION PLANTING

Fruit Companion Planting is the study of how some plants grow happily together. And others just plain don’t! Companion planting is often used in vegetable gardening, but ignored when planting fruit trees, berry bushes, and grapes.

Once planted, a fruit tree will quickly establish a deep root system and top growth. Trying to dig up and move it if you are sorry where you planted it isn’t going to be easy. Plus, your expensive fruit tree could die from transplant shock.

Grape vines also can create problems. Most of the roots will be in the first 5 feet of soil. But some roots grow as deep as 40 feet. Some trees don’t grow that deep. Choose your planting site carefully so you don’t suffer regrets.

Just consider how much fun moving furniture is. (NOT!)

Always plan carefully before you order your tree or plant from the garden nursery. After it arrives in the mail is no time to make an important decision about planting location. And making sure it will get along well with it’s “neighbors” is part of that decision.

Plants have idiosyncrasies. Some don’t grow well together because:

• They require a different soil pH.
• Produce chemicals that will “put off” certain of their neighbors.
• Don’t like shade produced by taller plants, shrubs, or trees.
• And still others require shade.
• Don’t appreciate being crowded, and will compete for space, both above the ground and below it.
• And some plants are complete “hogs” for water and nutrients.
• Certain plants attract insects and diseases that will spell trouble for neighboring plants.
• And, there are always exceptions to every rule.

IT’S JUST NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE!

Companion Planting is not an exact science. It has been studied for decades, and gardener’s opinions are going to differ.

Certain varieties of the same plant or tree might have greater resistance to specific diseases. Others might be just plain weaklings.

Refer to this Companion Planting List to avoid disappointment prior to ordering your plants and trees.

Use the Table Of Contents to bounce from one section to the other.

Flowers, Herbs, Vegetables, and Fruits are often planted near each other. The modern potager vegetable gardens often incorporate dwarf fruit trees and berries within them. Take time to make sure all of these “neighbors’ will dwell happily together.

In this Companion Planting List:

• Vegetables are listed in BLACK.
• Fruits are in RED.
• Herbs are in GREEN.
• Flowers are in BLUE.

Let’s get started!

FRUIT COMPANION PLANTING

Fruit Trees, Berry Bushes, and Grape Vines are all included in this List.

APPLE

LOVES:  Asparagus, Basil, Blackberries, Chamomile, Chives, Clover, Comfrey, Daffodils, Foxgloves, Garlic, Horseradish, Lavender, Leeks, Marigolds,Nasturtiums, Onions, Roses, Squash (Summer and Winter), Strawberries

HATES:  Carrots, Conifers, Eggplant, Grass, Peppers (Hot and Sweet), Potatoes, Tomatoes, Walnut

FRUIT COMPANION PLANTING:  NOTE

Marigolds are frequently planted in the vegetable garden to chase away bugs. Just be certain of your variety! Beware of the Mexican Mint Marigold (Tagetes Lucida). It is often used as a Tarragon substitute in Mexico. Sounds harmless enough, but it behaves like a herbicide around Beans and anything in the Cabbage family. I would also not want it anywhere near my fruit bearing plants and trees.

APRICOT

LOVES:  Asparagus, Basil, Chives, Clover, Comfrey, Daffodils, Garlic, Horseradish, Lavender, Leeks, Nasturtiums, Onions, Peaches (and Nectarines), Plums, Squash (Summer and Winter), Tansy

HATES:  Conifers, Eggplant, Grass, Mustard, Oats, Peppers (Sweet and Hot), Potatoes, Sage, Tomatoes, Walnut

BLACKBERRIES

LOVES:  Apple, Bee Balm (Monarda), Blueberries, Borage, Chives, Garlic, Grapes, Hyssop, Lemon Balm, Mint, Strawberries, Sunflower, Tansy

HATES:  Clover, Conifers, Eggplant, Grass, Peppers (Hot and Sweet), Potatoes, Raspberries, Roses, Tomatoes, Walnut

BLUEBERRIES

LOVES:  Basil, Blackberries, Cranberries, Dewberries, Endive, Gladiolus, Hyacinths, Parsley, Peppers (Sweet and Hot), Potatoes, Radishes, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Sage, Strawberries, Thyme, Tulips, Yarrow

HATES:  Clover, Grass, Tomatoes

FRUIT COMPANION PLANTING:  NOTE

Blueberries have very shallow roots. Keep clover completely away from the base of the plant or it will choke out and kill your bush. Clover has such a tight root system, it is difficult to get a spade through it so you can dig it up. Just imagine how tough it is for plants to compete with anything this aggressive.

CHERRY

LOVES:  Asparagus, Catnip, Chives, Garlic, Horseradish, Lavender, Leeks, Nasturtiums, Onions, Squash (Summer and Winter)

HATES:  Conifers, Eggplant, Grass, Peppers (Hot and Sweet), Potatoes, Tomatoes, Walnut, Wheat

FRUIT COMPANION PLANTING:  NOTE

Walnut Trees, Cedar Trees, and any type of Conifer cause great problems for the gardener. The roots and leaves exude a chemical that is harmful for many plants. Plus, they greedily eat up nutrients that other plants and trees need. Keep them at a safe distance!

CURRANTS

LOVES:  Basil, Chamomile, Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Yarrow

HATES:  Clover, Grass

GOOSEBERRIES

LOVES:  Basil, Beans (Bush and Pole), Chives, Tomatoes

HATES:  Clover, Grass

GRAPES

LOVES:  Asparagus, Basil, Beans (Bush and Pole), Blackberries, Chives, Clover, Garlic, Geraniums, Hyssop, Lavender, Mint, Nasturtiums, Oregano, Peaches (and Nectarines), Peas, Rosemary, Tansy

HATES:  Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chinese Cabbage, Collards, Eggplant, Grass, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Mustard, Peppers (Hot and Sweet), Potatoes, Radishes, Tomatoes, Turnip

MELONS

LOVES:  Beans (Bush and Pole), Borage, Carrots, Catnip, Chamomile, Chives, Corn, Cucumber, Garlic, Jerusalem Artichokes, Leeks, Lettuce, Marigolds, Morning Glory, Nasturtiums, Okra, Onions, Oregano, Peas, Pumpkin, Radishes, Salsify, Spinach, Squash (Summer and Winter), Summer Savory, Sunflowers

HATES:  Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chinese Cabbage, Clover, Collards, Eggplant, Grass, Kale, Kohlrabi, Mustard, Peppers (Hot and Sweet), Potatoes, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Turnips

PEACHES AND NECTARINES

LOVES:  Apricot, Asparagus, Basil, Chamomile, Chicory, Chives, Comfrey, Cosmos, Garlic, Grapes, Horseradish, Lavender, Leeks, Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Onions, Squash (Summer and Winter), Strawberries, Tansy

HATES:  Almond, Conifers, Eggplant, Grass, Peppers (Hot and Sweet), Plums, Potatoes, Raspberries, Tomatoes, Walnut

FRUIT COMPANION PLANTING:  NOTE

Keep grass away from the base of your fruit bearing plants and trees. It will provide way too much competition for moisture and nutrients, and your fruit crop will suffer.

PEARS

LOVES:  Chamomile, Chives, Comfrey, Daffodils, Garlic, Horseradish, Lavender, Leeks, Nasturtiums, Squash (Summer and Winter)

HATES:  Conifers, Eggplant, Grass, Peppers (Hot and Sweet), Potatoes, Raspberries, Tomatoes, Walnut

PLUMS

LOVES:  Apricot, Asparagus, Chamomile, Chives, Comfrey, Garlic, Horseradish, Lavender, Leeks, Nasturtiums, Onions, Squash (Summer and Winter), Strawberries

HATES:  Almond, Conifers, Eggplant, Grass, Peaches (and Nectarines), Peppers (Hot and Sweet), Potatoes, Tomatoes, Walnut

RASPBERRIES

LOVES:  Blueberries, Chamomile, Chives, Garlic, Leeks, Nasturtiums, Onions, Tansy, Turnips, Yarrow

HATES:  Beets, Blackberries, Clover, Conifers, Eggplant, Grass, Peaches (and Nectarines), Pears, Peppers (Hot and Sweet), Potatoes, Roses, Tomatoes, Walnut

FRUIT COMPANION PLANTING:  NOTE

Black and Purple Raspberries should never be planted within 600 feet of Red Raspberries.

RHUBARB

LOVES:  Asparagus, Beans (Bush and Pole), Blueberries, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chinese Cabbage, Collards, Columbines (Aquilegia), Garlic, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Kohlrabi, Mustard, Onions, Turnips

HATES:  Clover, Eggplant, Grass, Peppers (Hot and Sweet), Potatoes, Tomatoes

STRAWBERRIES

LOVES:  Apple, Asparagus, Beans (Bush and Pole), Blackberries, Blueberries, Borage, Chives, Chrysanthemums, Hellebore (White), Lavender, Leeks, Lettuce, Marigolds, Nettle, Onions, Peaches (and Nectarines), Peas, Plums, Potato (Sweet), Sage, Spinach, Squash (Summer and Winter), Thyme

HATES:  Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chinese Cabbage, Clover, Collards, Eggplant, Garlic, Gladiolus, Grass, Kale, Kohlrabi, Mint, Mustard, Peppers (Hot and Sweet), Potatoes, Radishes, Rosemary, Tomatoes, Turnips