The best companion plants for tomatoes: the opinion of professional gardeners

Tomatoes and basil make a delicious duo not only in caprese salad, but also in the garden. “Basil is an excellent partner plant for tomatoes. It doesn’t compete directly with them for space or nutrients, but it can repel pests: the strong smell of the grass masks the aroma of the tomatoes, and it makes it harder for insects to find them to lay eggs. Some studies show that basil stimulates the growth of tomato roots, which ultimately promotes fruit development,” explains Isabelle Branstrom, head of plant breeding and the seed company.

This close relative of common shallots, leeks and onions is not only surprisingly beautiful in flower, tasty on the plate and good for the digestive tract – as professional gardener Richard Zondag explains, chives are also one of the plants that repel tomato pests. “And when it flowers, it attracts bumblebees, which help pollinate the tomato flowers – that’s an added bonus,” adds Richard.

Tomato soup, homemade tomato sauce, Hungarian appetizer… Dishes in which tomatoes are combined with garlic can be listed for a very long time. But their friendship is not limited to cooking: professionals include garlic in the list of useful plants to grow along with tomatoes. “Garlic’s strong odor repels pests like aphids and spider mites, and reduces the risk of tomatoes becoming infected with fungus and other diseases,” says Carrie Spoonmore, an employee at a seed and delivery company. of plants by mail order.

Lettuce is renowned for its productivity, early ripening and taste. In addition, according to experts, it is one of the top 5 best neighboring plants for tomatoes. “Lettuce grows low to the ground – this helps minimize weeds and conserve moisture. At the same time, the lettuce itself will benefit from the partnership with the tomatoes: it prefers cool weather and will appreciate the shade cast by the tomatoes,” says Branstrom.

Sage is another friend of tomatoes that professional gardeners advise you to pay attention to. Companion plants for tomatoes often work because of their scent, and sage is one of them—as fertilizer company employee Misty Mathis explains, its specific aroma repels cabbage moths and carrot flies .

Gardening advice on tomato companion plants rarely goes without mentioning thyme: the smell of thyme is hated by ants, aphids, leafhoppers, wireworms and cutworms. “Thyme also attracts beneficial insects that help pollinate tomatoes and kill pests,” adds Spoonmore.

Do you want your garden to look more spectacular than a chic flower bed? Plant marigolds among the tomatoes! As Katie explains, they contain the chemical limonene, which repels whiteflies, which can be a nightmare for gardeners.

“In addition, marigolds attract insects that destroy parasites,” adds the expert. But that’s not all – enjoy an added bonus: parviflora marigold and fine-leaved marigold are edible, and their petals can be added to salads, flavored in butter with them, or used to color baked goods. ‘a bright yellow color.

“Nasturtiums are plants that improve the growth and yield of tomatoes. They repel aphids and whiteflies, and their round leaves cover the soil like a blanket to keep it from drying out, keeping the tomato roots cool,” says Mathis.

Planting these plants with tomatoes will help get rid of root nematodes: asparagus produces a compound toxic to these pests. It also produces a natural fungicide that helps prevent downy mildew and botrytis infestation. At the same time, tomatoes protect asparagus: they produce solanine, which repels asparagus beetles. Perfect symbiosis!

There are plants that make it easier to care for tomatoes, but there are also those that will not allow you to collect a rich harvest. These include:

Even more interesting materials can be found in our Telegram channel.