How We’re Companion Planting in Our Garden This Year
Pairing Plants for Better Growth, Pest Resistance, and Harmony in the Garden
Spring has officially arrived here at Wild Faith Acres, and with syrup season wrapped, we’re shifting our focus back to the soil—seed trays on every surface, garden maps spread out across the table, and dreams of warm tomatoes and vibrant blooms pulling us forward.
This year, we’re leaning more intentionally into companion planting—pairing specific plants together not just for space-saving or beauty, but to actually support one another in growth, deter pests, and create a more resilient garden ecosystem.
If you’re new to companion planting or just looking for fresh layout ideas, I thought I’d share a little peek into our garden plans and why we’re pairing certain plants together this season.
⸻
What Is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is the practice of grouping plants that benefit each other—whether that’s by improving soil, attracting pollinators, deterring pests, or enhancing flavor. It’s nature’s way of teamwork, and when it works well, it can reduce the need for intervention and make the garden healthier overall.
It’s not an exact science (and every garden is different), but over the years, we’ve noticed how certain combinations just work—and this year we’re building on that.
⸻
A Look at Our Layout
We’re working with a few distinct spaces this year:
• A 15x20 ft vegetable garden for high-yield food crops
• A flower and herb section (with raised beds and in-ground rows)
• A pumpkin tunnel and a separate tomato section
Here’s how we’re using companion planting across those areas:
⸻
1. Tomatoes + Basil + Marigolds
This is a classic trio we keep coming back to.
• Basil is said to improve tomato flavor and can help repel aphids and whiteflies.
• Marigolds deter nematodes and beetles, and draw in pollinators.
• All three thrive in full sun, rich soil, and regular watering.
We’ll keep these in a separate area where we can use a twine trellis for the tomatoes and interplant the basil and marigolds below.
⸻
2. Cucumbers + Nasturtiums + Dill
This grouping is all about pest control and pollination.
• Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for aphids and flea beetles and attract pollinators.
• Dill helps repel cucumber beetles and supports beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps.
• Dill’s feathery foliage also doesn’t compete much for space.
We’ll let the cucumbers climb and plant dill and nasturtiums along the base.
⸻
3. Moschata Squash Varieties + Trap Crops
This year, we’re skipping corn altogether and focusing on growing Moschata squash varieties like Long Island Cheese Pumpkins and Zucchini Rampicante. These types are naturally more resistant to squash vine borers, which were a major issue in our garden last year.
We’re also planting a trap crop specifically for squash bugs and vine borers—sacrificial plants that draw pests away from our main squash patch. It’s a small shift that we hope makes a big difference in keeping our plants healthy without constant intervention.
Note: If you are growing corn this year, the Three Sisters method (corn + beans + squash) is a wonderful companion planting tradition worth exploring.
⸻
4. Brassicas + Onions + Calendula
Brassicas (like cabbage and broccoli) tend to attract pests like cabbage worms and flea beetles—so we’re pairing them with:
• Onions, which help deter many pests with their strong scent
• Calendula, which attracts predatory insects and can distract aphids
Calendula also adds beauty and is easy to tuck in between rows.
⸻
5. Lettuce + Carrots + Radishes + Herbs
For our cooler-loving crops, we’re doing a layered, tight-space bed:
• Radishes help break up the soil for carrots to grow more easily.
• Lettuce provides light shade for both.
• Chives or parsley nearby can help with pest control and flavor enhancement.
This combo works great in succession planting for early spring and fall harvests.
⸻
6. Companion Herbs for the Whole Garden
We also try to work in herbs throughout the garden for both beauty and balance:
• Chamomile near brassicas and alliums
• Borage near strawberries and squash
• Lemon balm and mint (kept in containers!) to deter pests
• Yarrow, calendula, and dill sprinkled throughout to draw in beneficial insects
Herbs really are the unsung heroes of a thriving garden.
⸻
Lessons Learned from Last Year
Last year, squash vine borers and squash bugs were our biggest challenge—despite our best efforts, they took out more than a few plants before the season ended. This year, we’re taking a more layered approach to prevention that works with our setup (like the pumpkin tunnel, which makes row covers tricky).
We’re focusing on:
• Growing more resistant Moschata varieties like butternut and tromboncino
• Planting trap crops specifically to draw pests away from our main squash beds
• Interplanting with herbs and flowers like dill and nasturtiums, which help deter and distract pests while supporting pollinators
We’re also experimenting with buckwheat as a summer cover crop in areas where wildflowers grew last year. It’s fast-growing, great for weed suppression, and beloved by pollinators. Plus, it adds a beautiful layer of life to spaces we aren’t actively cultivating.
It’s all about working with the land instead of constantly fighting against it—and we’re hopeful these small shifts will lead to stronger, healthier plants all season long.
⸻
The Beauty of Experimenting
At the end of the day, companion planting is part intuition, part observation, and part wild experiment. What works in one garden may not in another, and sometimes the best discoveries come from just trying something and seeing what happens.
We’re always learning, always adjusting, and always growing—just like the garden.
⸻
Whether you’re planting a few pots on a patio or mapping out rows like we are, I hope this post gives you some inspiration for pairing your plants with purpose this season. If you have any favorite combos that work well in your space, I’d love to hear them!
Happy planting,
Jenn
Wild Faith Acres