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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.
The Fruits, ETC. in this article are listed ALPHABETICALLY.
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.
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.
Plants that get along well together are listed as “LOVES.” Plants that battle things out are listed as “HATES.”
In this Companion Planting List:
- Vegetables are listed in BLACK.
- Fruits are in RED.
- Herbs are in GREEN.
- Flowers are in BLUE.
The Fruits, ETC. in this article are listed ALPHABETICALLY.
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
Great information! I had no idea some of these plants/trees/bushes hated each other. Makes sense now though.
Thanks, Linda. Yes, plants and trees are like people. Some just plain don’t get along with their “neighbors.” It will save the avid gardener a lot of money if they know to plant certain things together, and keep others apart.
I have been recently trying companion planting around my apple, peaches and cherry trees. I have an abundance of purslane that I love adding to my salads. Would this be a good companion plant to my fruit trees? It certainly is easy to grow! It comes up everywhere in the vegetable garden too. I wonder if I should leave it when I’m weeding?
Purslane grows well with cabbage, lettuce, beets, turnips, radishes, carrots, basil, and especially, corn. I have not heard of anyone growing it around fruit trees. They don’t even appreciate having grass grow right up to the tree trunk. If you do plan to experiment, I would recommend NOT planting purslane around a peach tree. They have very shallow roots, and would not like the competition for water and nutrients. The same would go for blueberries, since they also have very shallow roots. Hope this helps.