COMPARISON OF
COMPANION PLANTING
GUIDES FOR
MOST COMMON
GARDEN VEGETABLES
copyright © 2009 Plangarden

OBJECTIVE: This guide surveys four companion planting guides to reveal the relative
degrees of agreement among four selected gardening book authors (see references).
However, regardless of consensus, companion planting recommendations are
not always effective due many influences on a vegetable garden. Record your
own observations to determine the best companions in your garden!
HOW TO READ THE TABLES REFERENCES
LEGEND • Carr, Anna 1985. Good Neighbors: Companion Planting for
GOOD companion
Gardeners, Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press.
• Riotte, Louise 1975. Carrots Love Tomatoes, Pownal, VT:
GOOD companion; some
references do not Storey Publishing.
comment if good
• Little, Brenda 2008. Secrets of Companion
BAD companion
Planting, Sandy, UT: Silverleaf Press
BAD companion; some • Smith, Edward C. 2000. The Vegetable Gardener’s
references do not
comment if bad BIBLE, North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing
CONFLICTING info;
some references say
GOOD; others say BAD
copyright © 2009 Plangarden

COMMON PLANT FAMILIES
Brassica/Cabbage – cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, bok choi, kohlrabi, turnips, brussels
sprouts, kale, radish
Legume – “grain legumes”, e.g. beans, peas, soy beans, peanuts; and “forage legumes”, e.g.
alfalfa, clover and vetch
Lettuce (genus Lactuca sativa) – variety of garden lettuces
Onion/allium – Onions, garlic, chives, leeks
Nightshade (Solanaceae) – potato, tomato, petunia, eggplant, bell and chili peppers (Capsicum
genus), tobacco, bella donna
Parsley (Apiaceae) – celery, carrots, parsnips, parsley, dill, coriander/cilantro
Spinach (Amaranthaceae) – spinach, Swiss chard, beets
Squash (Curcurbitaceae) – zucchini (summer squashes), pumpkin, butternut ( winter
squashes), cucumber, melon varieties
Mint (Lamiaceae) – mint, basil, rosemary, sage, oregano, thyme, lavender, marjoram and other herbs
copyright © 2009 Plangarden

Table I
Beans, bush/pole
Bell Peppers
Table II shows other companions
Brassica-Cabbage
Carrots
Corn
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Onion/Allium
Peas
copyright © 2009 Plangarden
Potatoes
Radishes
Spinach
Tomatoes
Zucchini/squash

Table II
Beans, bush/pole TREE & PLANT ALERTS!
Bell Peppers • Apple trees can harm
potatoes
Brassica/Cabbage
• Black walnut trees can harm
Carrots tomatoes and many other
vegetables; keep it at a
Corn
distance from veg garden.
Cucumbers • Keep absinthe wormwood
Lettuce out of veg garden
Onion/Allium
Peas
copyright © 2009 Plangarden
Potatoes
Radishes
Spinach
Tomatoes
Zucchini/squash

LEGEND Beans, bush/pole* Companion rating
Beets /
GOOD companion
Cabbage /
GOOD companion; some
references do not Carrots
comment if good
Corn
BAD companion
Fennel /
BAD companion; some
references do not Onion/allium family
comment if bad
Squash
CONFLICTING info;
some references say Strawberries /
GOOD; others say BAD
*Bush beans and pole beans can have opposite reactions to companion
plants. Check your companion planting guides to make sure that the type
of bean is specified. See Tables I and II.
REFERENCES: 1. Carr, Anna 1985. Good Neighbors: Companion Planting for Gardeners, Rodale Press; 2. Riotte, Louise 1975. Carrots
Love Tomatoes, Storey Publishing; 3. Little, Brenda 2008. Secrets of Companion Planting, Silverleaf Press; 4. Smith, Edward C. 2000.
The Vegetable Gardener’s BIBLE, Storey Publishing.
copyright © 2009 Plangarden

LEGEND Bell/Sweet Peppers Companion rating
Basil
GOOD companion
Beans
GOOD companion; some
references do not Carrots
comment if good
Fennel
BAD companion
Kohlrabi
BAD companion; some
references do not Onions
comment if bad
Oregano & Marjoram
CONFLICTING info;
some references say
GOOD; others say BAD
REFERENCES: 1. Carr, Anna 1985. Good Neighbors: Companion Planting for Gardeners, Rodale Press; 2. Riotte, Louise 1975. Carrots
Love Tomatoes, Storey Publishing; 3. Little, Brenda 2008. Secrets of Companion Planting, Silverleaf Press; 4. Smith, Edward C. 2000.
The Vegetable Gardener’s BIBLE, Storey Publishing.
copyright © 2009 Plangarden

LEGEND Brassica/cabbage Companion rating
Aromatic herbs/Mint family
GOOD companion
Beans, bush
GOOD companion; some
references do not Beans, pole
comment if good
Celery
BAD companion
Onion/Allium family
BAD companion; some
references do not Potatoes
comment if bad
Strawberries
CONFLICTING info;
some references say Tomatoes
GOOD; others say BAD
Ref. 1 – Keep lettuce away from decomposing cabbage family crops like
broccoli, as the latter exudes a toxic chemical.
Ref. 1 – Unlike the nightshade family, brassica generally don’t mind being
planted next to other cole crops as long as the soil is rich in nutrients.
REFERENCES: 1. Carr, Anna 1985. Good Neighbors: Companion Planting for Gardeners, Rodale Press; 2. Riotte, Louise 1975. Carrots
Love Tomatoes, Storey Publishing; 3. Little, Brenda 2008. Secrets of Companion Planting, Silverleaf Press; 4. Smith, Edward C. 2000.
The Vegetable Gardener’s BIBLE, Storey Publishing.
copyright © 2009 Plangarden

LEGEND Carrots Companion rating
Chives/Onions
GOOD companion
Dill
GOOD companion; some
references do not Cucumbers
comment if good
Lettuce
BAD companion
Peas
BAD companion; some
references do not Radishes
comment if bad
Sage
CONFLICTING info;
some references say Tomatoes
GOOD; others say BAD
Ref. 4 – Carrots do not appear to thrive near other members
of the parsley family, like dill and celery.
Ref. 2, 3 - Carrots give off a fluid or “exudate” that seems to
help peas grow more vigorously.
REFERENCES: 1. Carr, Anna 1985. Good Neighbors: Companion Planting for Gardeners, Rodale Press; 2. Riotte, Louise 1975. Carrots
Love Tomatoes, Storey Publishing; 3. Little, Brenda 2008. Secrets of Companion Planting, Silverleaf Press; 4. Smith, Edward C. 2000.
The Vegetable Gardener’s BIBLE, Storey Publishing.
copyright © 2009 Plangarden

LEGEND Corn Companion rating
Beans
GOOD companion
Cucumbers
GOOD companion; some
references do not Melons
comment if good
Peas
BAD companion
Potatoes
BAD companion; some
references do not Squash (winter & summer)
comment if bad
Tomatoes
CONFLICTING info;
some references say
GOOD; others say BAD
REFERENCES: 1. Carr, Anna 1985. Good Neighbors: Companion Planting for Gardeners, Rodale Press; 2. Riotte, Louise 1975. Carrots
Love Tomatoes, Storey Publishing; 3. Little, Brenda 2008. Secrets of Companion Planting, Silverleaf Press; 4. Smith, Edward C. 2000.
The Vegetable Gardener’s BIBLE, Storey Publishing.
copyright © 2009 Plangarden

LEGEND Cucumbers Companion rating
Aromatic Herbs/Mint family
GOOD companion
Beans
GOOD companion; some
references do not Brassica/Cabbage family
comment if good
Celery
BAD companion
Corn
BAD companion; some
references do not Lettuce
comment if bad
Potatoes
CONFLICTING info;
some references say Radishes
GOOD; others say BAD
Sunflowers
Tomatoes
REFERENCES: 1. Carr, Anna 1985. Good Neighbors: Companion Planting for Gardeners, Rodale Press; 2. Riotte, Louise 1975. Carrots
Love Tomatoes, Storey Publishing; 3. Little, Brenda 2008. Secrets of Companion Planting, Silverleaf Press; 4. Smith, Edward C. 2000.
The Vegetable Gardener’s BIBLE, Storey Publishing.
copyright © 2009 Plangarden

LEGEND Lettuce Companion rating
Beets
GOOD companion
Brassica/cabbage
GOOD companion; some
references do not Carrots
comment if good
Cucumbers
BAD companion
Radishes
BAD companion; some
references do not Strawberries
comment if bad
CONFLICTING info;
some references say
GOOD; others say BAD Ref. 1 – Research has shown that lettuce is sensitive to toxins
found in decaying broccoli & broad beans; when these
decomposing plants touch developing lettuce roots, lesions &
rot occur.
REFERENCES: 1. Carr, Anna 1985. Good Neighbors: Companion Planting for Gardeners, Rodale Press; 2. Riotte, Louise 1975. Carrots
Love Tomatoes, Storey Publishing; 3. Little, Brenda 2008. Secrets of Companion Planting, Silverleaf Press; 4. Smith, Edward C. 2000.
The Vegetable Gardener’s BIBLE, Storey Publishing.
copyright © 2009 Plangarden

LEGEND Onion/Allium family Companion rating
Beans/peas
GOOD companion
Beets
GOOD companion; some
references do not Cabbage
comment if good
Lettuce
BAD companion
Sage
BAD companion; some
references do not Strawberries
comment if bad
Tomatoes
CONFLICTING info;
some references say
GOOD; others say BAD
REFERENCES: 1. Carr, Anna 1985. Good Neighbors: Companion Planting for Gardeners, Rodale Press; 2. Riotte, Louise 1975. Carrots
Love Tomatoes, Storey Publishing; 3. Little, Brenda 2008. Secrets of Companion Planting, Silverleaf Press; 4. Smith, Edward C. 2000.
The Vegetable Gardener’s BIBLE, Storey Publishing.
copyright © 2009 Plangarden

LEGEND Peas Companion rating
Brassica/cabbage
GOOD companion
Carrots
GOOD companion; some
references do not Corn
comment if good
Cucumbers
BAD companion
Onion/Allium family
BAD companion; some
references do not Potatoes
comment if bad
Radishes
CONFLICTING info;
some references say Spinach
GOOD; others say BAD
Tomatoes
REFERENCES: 1. Carr, Anna 1985. Good Neighbors: Companion Planting for Gardeners, Rodale Press; 2. Riotte, Louise 1975. Carrots
Love Tomatoes, Storey Publishing; 3. Little, Brenda 2008. Secrets of Companion Planting, Silverleaf Press; 4. Smith, Edward C. 2000.
The Vegetable Gardener’s BIBLE, Storey Publishing.
copyright © 2009 Plangarden

LEGEND Potatoes Companion rating
Apple trees
GOOD companion
Beans
GOOD companion; some
references do not Brassica/cabbage
comment if good
Corn
BAD companion
Peas
BAD companion; some
references do not Tomatoes
comment if bad
CONFLICTING info;
some references say
GOOD; others say BAD
REFERENCES: 1. Carr, Anna 1985. Good Neighbors: Companion Planting for Gardeners, Rodale Press; 2. Riotte, Louise 1975. Carrots
Love Tomatoes, Storey Publishing; 3. Little, Brenda 2008. Secrets of Companion Planting, Silverleaf Press; 4. Smith, Edward C. 2000.
The Vegetable Gardener’s BIBLE, Storey Publishing.
copyright © 2009 Plangarden

LEGEND Radishes Companion rating
Beans
GOOD companion
Brassica/cabbage
GOOD companion; some
references do not Carrots
comment if good
Lettuce
BAD companion
Peas
BAD companion; some
references do not Squash
comment if bad
Tomatoes
CONFLICTING info;
some references say
GOOD; others say BAD
REFERENCES: 1. Carr, Anna 1985. Good Neighbors: Companion Planting for Gardeners, Rodale Press; 2. Riotte, Louise 1975. Carrots
Love Tomatoes, Storey Publishing; 3. Little, Brenda 2008. Secrets of Companion Planting, Silverleaf Press; 4. Smith, Edward C. 2000.
The Vegetable Gardener’s BIBLE, Storey Publishing.
copyright © 2009 Plangarden

LEGEND Spinach Companion rating
Beans
GOOD companion
Brassica/cabbage
GOOD companion; some
references do not Celery
comment if good
Onion/Allium family
BAD companion
Peas
BAD companion; some
references do not Potatoes
comment if bad
Strawberries
CONFLICTING info;
some references say
GOOD; others say BAD
REFERENCES: 1. Carr, Anna 1985. Good Neighbors: Companion Planting for Gardeners, Rodale Press; 2. Riotte, Louise 1975. Carrots
Love Tomatoes, Storey Publishing; 3. Little, Brenda 2008. Secrets of Companion Planting, Silverleaf Press; 4. Smith, Edward C. 2000.
The Vegetable Gardener’s BIBLE, Storey Publishing.
copyright © 2009 Plangarden

LEGEND Tomatoes Companion rating
Asparagus
GOOD companion
Basil
GOOD companion; some
references do not Brassica/cabbage
comment if good
Carrots
BAD companion
Celery
BAD companion; some
references do not Fennel
comment if bad
Onion/Allium family
CONFLICTING info;
some references say Parsley
GOOD; others say BAD
Potatoes
Ref. 2 - Tomatoes generally do not mind being replanted in the
same area year after year as long as it is free of disease and
the soil is healthy and rich in nutrients.
REFERENCES: 1. Carr, Anna 1985. Good Neighbors: Companion Planting for Gardeners, Rodale Press; 2. Riotte, Louise 1975. Carrots
Love Tomatoes, Storey Publishing; 3. Little, Brenda 2008. Secrets of Companion Planting, Silverleaf Press; 4. Smith, Edward C. 2000.
The Vegetable Gardener’s BIBLE, Storey Publishing.
copyright © 2009 Plangarden

LEGEND Zucchini/s.squash Companion rating
Beans
GOOD companion
Corn
GOOD companion; some
references do not Potatoes
comment if good
Radishes
BAD companion
Sunflowers
BAD companion; some
references do not
comment if bad
CONFLICTING info;
some references say
GOOD; others say BAD
REFERENCES: 1. Carr, Anna 1985. Good Neighbors: Companion Planting for Gardeners, Rodale Press; 2. Riotte, Louise 1975. Carrots
Love Tomatoes, Storey Publishing; 3. Little, Brenda 2008. Secrets of Companion Planting, Silverleaf Press; 4. Smith, Edward C. 2000.
The Vegetable Gardener’s BIBLE, Storey Publishing.
copyright © 2009 Plangarden

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