Best Companion Plants For Brassicas That Will

Best Companion Plants for Brassicas That Will

Brassicas, also known as the cabbage family, are a group of vegetables that include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, and collard greens. These plants are all susceptible to a number of pests and diseases, so it's important to plant them with companion plants that can help to deter these problems.

In this blog post, we will discuss the best companion plants for brassicas. We will also talk about what to avoid planting near brassicas, and how to use companion planting to improve your garden's overall health.

Benefits of Companion Planting

Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves planting certain types of plants together in order to benefit each other. There are many different benefits to companion planting, including:

• Attracting beneficial insects: Some companion plants attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which help to control pests.
• Repelling pests: Other companion plants emit chemicals that repel pests, such as marigolds and nasturtiums.
• Improving soil health: Some companion plants, such as legumes, fix nitrogen in the soil, which can help to improve the fertility of your garden.
• Disrupting the life cycle of pests: Some companion plants can disrupt the life cycle of pests, making it more difficult for them to survive.

Best Companion Plants for Brassicas

There are many different companion plants that can be beneficial for brassicas. Some of the best include:

• Alliums: Alliums, such as garlic, onions, and chives, are known for their insect-repelling properties. They can help to deter a variety of pests, including cabbage moths, cabbage loopers, and aphids.
• Marigolds: Marigolds are another great companion plant for brassicas. They emit a chemical that repels nematodes, which can damage the roots of brassicas. Marigolds also attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings.
• Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums are another flowering plant that repels pests. They are also edible, and can be used in salads or as a garnish.
• Potatoes: Potatoes can help to deter cabbage root fly, a common pest of brassicas. The roots of potatoes release a chemical that repels the fly.
• Legumes: Legumes, such as beans, peas, and lentils, fix nitrogen in the soil, which can help to improve the fertility of your garden. This can benefit brassicas, which are heavy feeders.
• Spinach: Spinach is a fast-growing leafy green that can be planted between rows of brassicas. It will help to suppress weeds and improve the soil quality.
• Lettuce: Lettuce is another fast-growing leafy green that can be planted between rows of brassicas. It will also help to attract beneficial insects.
• Carrots: Carrots can help to deter root maggots, a common pest of brassicas. The roots of carrots release a chemical that repels the maggots.
• Beetroot: Beetroot is another root vegetable that can help to deter root maggots. It also has similar growing requirements to brassicas, so it can be planted in the same area.

What Not to Plant Near Brassicas

There are a few plants that should not be planted near brassicas. These include:

• Mustard: Mustard is a member of the brassica family, and planting it near other brassicas can increase the risk of disease.
• Tomatoes: Tomatoes and brassicas are susceptible to the same pests and diseases, so planting them near each other can increase the risk of infection.
• Peppers: Peppers are also susceptible to the same pests and diseases as brassicas, so it is best to avoid planting them near each other.

Conclusion

Companion planting is a great way to improve the health and productivity of your garden. By planting certain types of plants together, you can attract beneficial insects, repel pests, and improve soil health.

If you are growing brassicas, be sure to plant them with some of the companion plants listed above. You will be rewarded with healthier plants and a more bountiful harvest.

Brassicas, such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower, are a popular vegetable to grow in home gardens. But did you know that there are certain companion plants that can help to improve their growth and yield?

Companion planting is the practice of planting certain types of plants together in order to benefit each other. For brassicas, some of the best companion plants include:

• Alliums: Onions, garlic, and chives all help to repel pests that commonly target brassicas, such as cabbage moths and aphids.
• Marigolds: Marigolds release a chemical that helps to deter nematodes, which can damage the roots of brassicas. They also attract beneficial insects that prey on pests.
• Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums can help to attract pollinators, which are essential for the production of brassica seeds. They also contain chemicals that can repel aphids and other pests.
• Legumes: Legumes, such as beans and peas, fix nitrogen in the soil, which can benefit brassicas. They can also help to suppress weeds.

If you're looking to grow healthy and productive brassicas in your garden, I recommend checking out Gardenia Inspiration. This website has a wealth of information about companion planting, including a list of the best plants to grow with brassicas.

FAQ of best companion plants for brassicas

1. What are the best companion plants for brassicas?

The best companion plants for brassicas are those that help to repel pests, attract beneficial insects, or improve the soil. Some of the most popular companion plants for brassicas include:

* Alliums (such as onions, garlic, and chives): These plants help to repel pests such as cabbage moths and cabbage loopers.
* Marigolds: These flowers help to attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which prey on pests.
* Nasturtiums: These plants have a peppery scent that helps to deter pests. They also help to improve the soil by fixing nitrogen.
* Borage: This plant attracts pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, which help to pollinate brassica flowers.
* Legumes (such as peas, beans, and lentils): These plants fix nitrogen in the soil, which can benefit brassicas.

2. What are some of the benefits of companion planting with brassicas?

There are many benefits to companion planting with brassicas. Some of the most notable benefits include:

* Increased crop yields: Companion planting can help to increase crop yields by attracting beneficial insects, repelling pests, and improving soil health.
* Reduced pest and disease problems: Companion planting can help to reduce pest and disease problems by attracting beneficial insects, repelling pests, and providing physical barriers to pests.
* Improved soil health: Companion planting can help to improve soil health by fixing nitrogen, breaking down organic matter, and attracting earthworms.
* Increased biodiversity: Companion planting can help to increase biodiversity in the garden by providing food and shelter for a variety of beneficial insects and animals.

3. What are some of the most common pests that attack brassicas?

Some of the most common pests that attack brassicas include:

* Cabbage loopers: These caterpillars can cause significant damage to brassica leaves.
* Cabbage moths: These moths lay eggs on brassica leaves, which hatch into caterpillars that can also cause significant damage.
* Aphids: These small insects can suck the sap from brassica leaves, causing them to wilt and yellow.
* Snails and slugs: These pests can eat holes in brassica leaves.
* Whiteflies: These small insects can suck the sap from brassica leaves, causing them to become yellow and stunted.

4. How can I protect my brassicas from pests?

There are a number of ways to protect your brassicas from pests. Some of the most effective methods include:

* Companion planting: Companion planting with plants that repel pests can help to keep your brassicas safe.
* Handpicking: If you see pests on your brassicas, you can handpick them and destroy them.
* Using insecticidal soap: Insecticidal soap can be used to kill soft-bodied pests, such as aphids and whiteflies.
* Using neem oil: Neem oil is a natural insecticide that can be used to kill a variety of pests.
* Using row covers: Row covers can be used to protect brassicas from pests, such as cabbage moths and cabbage loopers.

5. What are some of the easiest brassicas to grow?

Some of the easiest brassicas to grow include:

* Bok choy
* Mustard greens
* Arugula
* Kale
* Collards

These brassicas are relatively resistant to pests and diseases, and they can be grown in a variety of climates. They are also relatively quick to mature, so you can enjoy a harvest in a short amount of time.

Image of best companion plants for brassicas

• Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums are a great companion plant for brassicas because they deter pests like aphids and cabbage moths. They also add a splash of color to the garden.
• Marigolds: Marigolds are another good companion plant for brassicas. They also deter pests like aphids and cabbage moths. Marigolds also help to improve the soil quality.
• Potatoes: Potatoes can be planted near brassicas to help repel harmful insects. The potato plant's natural chemicals help to keep away pests like cabbage loopers and flea beetles.
• Onions: Onions are a good companion plant for brassicas because they help to repel pests like aphids and carrot flies. They also help to improve the flavor of the brassicas.
• Garlic: Garlic is another good companion plant for brassicas. It helps to repel pests like aphids, cabbage moths, and flea beetles. Garlic also helps to improve the flavor of the brassicas.