Planning Your Garden with Companion Planting

Hi everyone, it’s Mary from Will’s Garden!

Are you ready for our next gardening adventure? I hope your Culinary Herb and Tea Gardens are set up and growing beautifully—isn’t it amazing how fast they grow? This week, we’re diving into the exciting world of vegetable gardening and companion planting.

Let’s start planning your 2025 garden for the healthiest, most productive harvest yet!

Step One: Pick Your Favorite Vegetables to Grow

The first step in planning your garden is deciding what vegetables you’d like to grow. Each year, I make sure to include my basics:

🥕 Tomatoes
🥒 Cucumbers
🍆 Eggplants
🌶 Peppers
🥒 Zucchini
🥬 Lettuce
🌱 Sugar Snap Peas
🎃 Squash

With so many vegetables to choose from Summer Vegetable & Fruit Seeds Non HMO Heirloom , it’s helpful to focus on what you love to eat and cook with. I always prefer heirloom seeds and use natural gardening methods, including organic sprays and fertilizers. This approach is not only better for your health but also for the environment.

Step Two: The Benefits of Companion Planting

Companion planting is the perfect way to plan a successful, naturally pest-resistant garden. By strategically pairing plants, you can:

🌱 Boost Growth – Some plants release natural chemicals that encourage their neighbors to thrive.
🐞 Deter Pests – Herbs and flowers like marigolds, peppermint, and catnip repel harmful insects.
🐝 Improve Pollination – Flowers like lavender attract beneficial pollinators to your garden.
🌿 Maximize Space – Combining plants that grow well together helps you make the most of your garden.

Here are a few great companion planting examples:

• Marigolds protect tomatoes from nematodes and aphids.

• Sunflowers provide a natural trellis for cucumbers.

• Catnip helps repel squash bugs.

• Peppermint keeps pests away while adding a refreshing fragrance.

Not only do companion plants benefit your vegetables, but they also create a stunningly beautiful garden. Eden Brothers Massachusetts Flower Mix

Step Three: Start Indoors with Upcycled Containers and Biodegradable Kits

Starting seeds indoors is a great way to get ahead during the winter months and give your plants a strong start before spring.

Sustainable Seed Starting Options:
♻️ Upcycled Containers – Use egg cartons, yogurt cups, or milk cartons to sprout seedlings.
🌿 Biodegradable Seed Starter Kit – A great eco-friendly option that lets you transplant seedlings directly into the soil.

For a successful indoor setup, add LED grow lights and metal shelving to ensure your plants receive enough light to thrive.

🌱 Grow Lights LED – Provides the perfect light spectrum for strong seedling growth.
🔧 Heavy Duty Metal Shelving – Organizes plants while maximizing space.

Step Four: Choose the Best Soil & Natural Fertilizers

🌱 Fox Farms Potting Soil – An organic, nutrient-rich mix that supports healthy root development.
🐟 Fish Fertilizer for Natural Growth – I use filtered fish tank water to feed my seedlings naturally. If you don’t have access to a fish tank, you can use Neptunes Organic Fish Fertilizer as an alternative.

Fish-based fertilizers boost soil health, improve plant vigor, and enhance natural resistance to disease—perfect for getting strong, healthy seedlings.

Herbs and Flowers to Pair with Your Vegetables

When planning your companion planting, consider these tried-and-true pairings:

🍅 Tomatoes → Pair with basil, marigolds, and parsley for pest control and improved flavor.
🥒 Cucumbers → Grow with sunflowers, dill, and nasturtiums to repel cucumber beetles.
🎃 Zucchini & Squash → Pair with catnip, marigolds, and borage to deter squash bugs.
🌶 Peppers → Partner with oregano, basil, and marigolds to repel pests and enhance growth.
🥬 Lettuce → Combine with chives and garlic to keep aphids away.
🌱 Sugar Snap Peas → Pair with radishes and carrots for improved soil health and pest control.

These combinations not only create healthier plants but also make your garden look vibrant and alive.

Final Thoughts

Companion planting is a fun and rewarding way to plan your garden naturally. By pairing vegetables with the right herbs and flowers, you’ll enjoy:

✔️ Natural pest control
✔️ Higher yields
✔️ A more sustainable, eco-friendly garden

Start thinking about what vegetables and companions you’d like to grow this year, and begin setting up your indoor garden now to get a head start on spring planting.

Next Week: Preparing Your Soil for Spring Planting!

Stay tuned as we discuss planting schedules and the best ways to prepare your soil for spring. Together, we’ll create the garden of your dreams!

🌿 Happy Gardening!

Warmly,
Mary from Will’s Garden

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