Companion planting is an age-old gardening technique that involves pairing certain plants together in order to maximize their growth and productivity. When it comes to planting squash, companion planting is a great way to help your squash crop thrive. Squash plants need plenty of suns, moist soil, and enough space to grow, and they benefit from having other plants nearby as well. By choosing companion plants that help attract pollinators and provide natural pest control, you can create a supportive environment for your squash plants. In this article, we’ll discuss the best companion plants for squash and how to use them in your garden.
Companion plants for squash
Picking the right companion plants to grow near squash can enhance your squash harvest at the end of the year and help you get the most out of every square foot of your garden. These are 10 of the most ideal companion plants for squash.
Corn
Corn and squash are a great companion planting combination that has been cultivated by Native American tribes for centuries. It provides a natural trellis for the sprawling vines of squash, while the deep roots of squash help to aerate and fertilize the soil. The large leaves of squash provide some shade for the corn, protecting it from the intense summer sun, while the corn’s tall stalks provide a physical barrier to help protect the squash from pests and other animals. The two crops also share similar nutrient needs, making it easy to maintain healthy, balanced soil. With the right care, corn and squash can provide a bountiful harvest and a long-term sustainable crop rotation.
Beans
Beans are an ideal companion plant for squash. As they are a type of legume, which means they are nitrogen-fixing plants. This means that they take nitrogen from the air and store it in the soil, making it available to the squash plants. The beans also provide a good ground cover, shading the soil and helping to retain moisture, which helps keep the squash plants from drying out. The beans also help to increase the diversity of the soil, reducing the risk of pest and disease problems. Finally, the beans attract beneficial insects, such as pollinators and predators, which help keep the squash plants healthy. All these factors make beans essential companion plants for squash.
Borage
Borage is an excellent companion plant for squash. This is due to the fact that it has the ability to attract pollinators, such as bees and other beneficial insects, to the garden. This helps to ensure that the squash flowers are pollinated and therefore, the squash crop is increased. Additionally, borage acts as a ‘trap crop’ for pests, such as aphids, which would otherwise be attracted to the squash plants. This helps to reduce the need for chemical insecticides in the garden. Furthermore, borage exudes a natural growth hormone from its roots, which helps to promote better growth in squash plants. All of these benefits make borage an ideal companion plant for squash.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a great companion plant for squash as it helps to protect them from pests and also provides essential nutrients to the soil. The strong aroma of chamomile is known to repel many pests including squash bugs, flea beetles, and cucumber beetles. Additionally, chamomile is a member of the daisy family, meaning it is a nitrogen-fixing plant that adds nitrogen to the soil, which is essential for growing squash. By planting chamomile around squash plants, gardeners can help to ensure that their squash plants are happy and healthy, as well as protected from pests. At the end of the season, you can harvest your chamomile for use in tea!
Peas
Peas and squash make an excellent companion planting combination. They are nitrogen-fixing plants, which means that they add nutrients to the soil and help to improve the soil fertility for other plants. Squash, on the other hand, require lots of nitrogen to thrive, so planting peas alongside the squash will provide them with a natural fertilizer. Peas also help to trap aphids and other pests, preventing them from getting to the squash and causing damage. Additionally, the two plants have different root systems, which means they won’t compete for the same nutrients. Finally, the pea vines can act as a natural trellis and provide some shade for the squash plants, which helps to keep them cool and prevents them from wilting in the heat. All in all, peas and squash make an excellent companion planting combination that is sure to produce a healthy and abundant harvest.
Marigolds
Marigolds are an excellent companion plant for squash because they have a unique ability to repel pests. Squash plants are especially vulnerable to pests such as cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and aphids. Marigolds help to reduce the presence of these pests in the garden by producing a strong natural smell that repels them. Additionally, marigolds add a splash of color to the garden and attract beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies, which help to pollinate squash blossoms. All in all, marigolds make an ideal companion for squash plants, providing both pest protection and a beautiful aesthetic. Marigold seeds can be easily saved for next year’s garden, which will save time and money.
Peppermint
Peppermint is an excellent companion plant for squash, as it has a number of beneficial qualities. This herb has a strong scent which can help to repel pests and insects that may otherwise damage squash plants. Additionally, peppermint has been found to attract beneficial insects like bees, which help to pollinate squash plants. Finally, peppermint can act as a natural fertilizer. As it contains a number of essential nutrients that will help to promote the healthy growth of squash plants. All of these qualities make peppermint an ideal companion plant for squash. One that should be considered when planting your garden.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a great companion plant for squash, as it helps to keep pests away from the squash and also helps to improve the flavor of the squash. The lemon balm’s strong aroma and flavor can help to mask the squash’s scent from pests, thus reducing the chances of an infestation. The plant also helps to attract beneficial insects that can help to pollinate the squash and keep other pests away. Additionally, the lemon balm’s citrusy flavor can improve the flavor of squash by adding a hint of lemony flavor when cooked. For best results, plant lemon balm near your squash plants, but keep it away from other plants so that it doesn’t spread its aroma and taste to them.
Oregano
Oregano is an excellent companion plant for squash. The strong aromatic oils of oregano repel many of the insects that often plague squash plants, thus protecting them from damage. Additionally, oregano helps to improve soil fertility and thus increases the vigor of squash plants. The aromatic oils of oregano also work to mask the scent of squash plants, thus helping to reduce the risk of cross-pollination with other varieties of squash. As a result, growing oregano alongside squash plants helps to promote healthy and vigorous growth.
Calendula
Calendula is a great companion plant for squash. Its strong aroma helps to repel pests that may try to feed on the squash plants, while its bright yellow and orange flowers act as a natural attractant for beneficial insects such as ladybugs and hoverflies. These insects help to keep the squash free from pests, allowing it to thrive. Additionally, calendula helps to improve the health of the soil by fixing nitrogen and adding organic matter to it. This helps to provide a better environment for the squash plants to grow in. Calendula is a great companion plant for squash and should be considered in any squash garden.
