Companion Plants That Will Keep Pests Away From Your Tomatoes

Companion Planting for Tomatoes: How to Keep Pests Away

Tomatoes are a delicious and versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed in many different ways. But growing tomatoes can be challenging, as they are susceptible to a variety of pests. Fortunately, there are a number of companion plants that can help to deter pests and keep your tomatoes healthy.

In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of companion planting for tomatoes, and we will recommend some of the best companion plants to use. We will also provide some tips on how to plant and care for your companion plants.

What is Companion Planting?

Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves planting different types of plants together. The idea is that certain plants can benefit each other, either by attracting beneficial insects, repelling pests, or improving the soil quality.

There is a lot of scientific evidence to support the benefits of companion planting. For example, one study found that companion planting with marigolds reduced the number of aphids on tomato plants by up to 70%.

Benefits of Companion Planting for Tomatoes

There are many benefits to companion planting for tomatoes. Some of the most important benefits include:

• Reduced pest pressure: Companion plants can help to deter pests from attacking your tomato plants. This is because some plants emit scents that repel pests, while others attract beneficial insects that prey on pests.
• Improved pollination: Some companion plants attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. This can help to improve the pollination of your tomato plants, which will lead to a better harvest.
• Improved soil quality: Some companion plants can help to improve the soil quality around your tomato plants. This can make the soil more fertile and well-drained, which will benefit your tomato plants.

Best Companion Plants for Tomatoes

There are many different companion plants that can be used with tomatoes. Some of the best companion plants include:

• Marigolds: Marigolds are one of the most effective companion plants for tomatoes. They emit a scent that repels pests, such as aphids, whiteflies, and tomato hornworms.
• Basil: Basil is another great companion plant for tomatoes. It not only repels pests, but it also improves the flavor of tomatoes.
• Chives: Chives are a good companion plant for tomatoes because they help to repel pests and improve the soil quality.
• Garlic: Garlic is a strong-scented herb that repels pests. It also helps to improve the flavor of tomatoes.
• Onions: Onions are another strong-scented herb that repels pests. They also help to improve the soil quality.
• Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums are a colorful flower that attracts beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings. These insects prey on pests, which can help to keep your tomato plants healthy.
• Beans: Beans are a nitrogen-fixing plant, which means that they can help to improve the nitrogen content of the soil. This can benefit your tomato plants, as they need nitrogen to grow properly.
• Asparagus: Asparagus is a good companion plant for tomatoes because it helps to repel asparagus beetles.

How to Plant and Care for Companion Plants

When planting companion plants with tomatoes, it is important to choose plants that have similar growing requirements. For example, you should not plant tomatoes with plants that need more water, as this could lead to root rot.

It is also important to plant companion plants at the same time as your tomato plants. This will help to ensure that they get off to a good start.

Once your companion plants are established, you should care for them just as you would care for any other plant in your garden. This includes watering, fertilizing, and weeding.

Conclusion

Companion planting is a great way to deter pests and improve the health of your tomato plants. By planting the right companion plants, you can help to keep your tomatoes healthy and productive.

Companion planting is a great way to boost your tomato plants' health and productivity, and it can also help to keep pests away. Certain plants, when planted near tomatoes, can release chemicals that deter pests or attract beneficial insects that prey on pests.

Some of the best companion plants for tomatoes include:

• Marigolds: Marigolds have a strong scent that repels a variety of pests, including tomato hornworms, aphids, and whiteflies.
• Basil: Basil is a popular herb that not only tastes great with tomatoes, but it also helps to repel pests like aphids and mosquitoes.
• Chives: Chives are another herb that can help to repel pests, as well as improve the flavor of tomatoes.
• Garlic: Garlic is a natural insect repellent that can help to protect tomato plants from a variety of pests.
• Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums are a colorful flower that attracts beneficial insects that prey on pests. They also help to deter aphids and whiteflies.

If you're looking for a way to keep pests away from your tomato plants, companion planting is a great option. To learn more about companion planting for tomatoes, visit Gardenia Inspiration.

FAQ of companion plants for tomatoes to keep pests away

Q: What are some good companion plants for tomatoes?

A: There are many good companion plants for tomatoes, but some of the most popular include:

• Marigolds: Marigolds have a strong scent that deters pests like aphids, tomato hornworms, and whiteflies.
• Basil: Basil helps to improve the flavor of tomatoes and also repels pests like aphids and mosquitoes.
• Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and hoverflies, which prey on pests that damage tomatoes.
• Chives: Chives repel aphids and other pests, and they also help to improve the flavor of tomatoes.
• Garlic: Garlic repels aphids, tomato hornworms, and other pests.

Q: How do companion plants help to keep pests away from tomatoes?

A: Companion plants can help to keep pests away from tomatoes in a few ways:

• They can deter pests with their scent. Some companion plants, like marigolds and nasturtiums, have strong scents that pests find unpleasant. This can help to keep them away from tomatoes.
• They can attract beneficial insects. Other companion plants, like basil and chives, attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and hoverflies. These insects prey on pests that damage tomatoes, helping to keep them in check.
• They can improve the health of tomato plants. Some companion plants, like garlic and onions, can help to improve the health of tomato plants. This makes them more resistant to pests and diseases.

Q: What are some companion plants that I should avoid planting near tomatoes?

A: There are a few companion plants that you should avoid planting near tomatoes, as they can attract pests or diseases. These include:

• Kale: Kale can attract the tomato hornworm, a major pest of tomatoes.
• Broccoli: Broccoli can attract the cabbage looper, another major pest of tomatoes.
• Cabbage: Cabbage can attract the diamondback moth, a pest that can damage both tomatoes and cabbage.
• Dill: Dill can attract spider mites, a pest that can damage tomatoes.
• Fennel: Fennel can attract the black swallowtail butterfly, which lays its eggs on tomatoes. The resulting caterpillars can damage tomatoes.

Q: How far apart should companion plants be planted from tomatoes?

A: The exact distance that companion plants should be planted from tomatoes depends on the specific plants involved. However, as a general rule of thumb, companion plants should be planted at least 12 inches away from tomatoes. This will help to prevent the spread of pests and diseases between the plants.

Q: What are some other benefits of companion planting with tomatoes?

A: In addition to helping to keep pests away, companion planting with tomatoes can also provide other benefits, such as:

• Improved pollination: Some companion plants, like basil and chives, attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. These insects help to pollinate tomatoes, which can lead to increased yields.
• Improved soil health: Some companion plants, like garlic and onions, can help to improve the soil health around tomatoes. This can make the soil more fertile and better able to support healthy tomato plants.
• Reduced need for pesticides: Companion planting can help to reduce the need for pesticides in the garden. This is because companion plants can help to deter pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical intervention.

Image of companion plants for tomatoes to keep pests away

5 different images of companion plants for tomatoes to keep pests away, from Pinterest:

1. French marigolds. These bright orange and yellow flowers are a natural insect repellent, and they can help to deter pests such as aphids, tomato hornworms, and whiteflies.
2. Nasturtiums. These colorful flowers are another good choice for companion planting with tomatoes. They can help to attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and hoverflies, which prey on tomato pests.
3. Basil. This classic herb is a great companion plant for tomatoes because it helps to improve the flavor of the tomatoes. It also helps to deter pests such as thrips and tomato hornworms.
4. Chives. These pungent herbs are another good choice for companion planting with tomatoes. They help to repel aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies.
5. Lavender. This fragrant herb is not only beautiful, but it also helps to repel pests such as mosquitoes, moths, and beetles.