7 Great Tomato Companion Plants To Grow Together

One factor in guaranteeing gardening success is purchasing high quality vegetable seeds. Having the right skills and practices can make all the difference, too. While reducing pests is arguably the most common motivation for gardeners to pair certain plants together, companion planting has a number of other advantages. Did you know that some companion planting strategies might help your garden fight off weeds and diseases? Moreover, certain plant pairings can boost pollination, attract pest-eating beneficial insects, and enhance soil fertility or structure. Today, we'll be discussing some research-supported tomato companion plants for the best harvests.

Thyme

Thyme is an excellent tomato companion plant if yellow-striped armyworms are an issue in your yard.

According to studies, interplanting thyme (or basil) with tomatoes decreased the number of eggs that adult armyworms laid. A great living mulch for tomato plants is thyme. But bear in mind that, as it is perennial, the plants will need to be transplanted when tomato plants are moved to a new position in the garden each year.

Radish

To lure flea bugs away from your tomato plants, sow radish around the base of the plants. These tomato companion plants must be located right next to your tomatoes, since flea beetles can't travel very far. Flea beetles will typically gnaw ragged holes in radish leaves rather than young tomato plants, as it is more appealing to them.

Basil

Basil is one of the most crucial tomato companion plants for the garden, particularly when it comes to warding off thrips and tomato hornworms. This is, of course, in addition to it being a superb tomato partner on a dish.

Dill

Several different beneficial insects, including ladybugs, lacewings, parasitic wasps, and others, get nectar and pollen from the small flowers of dill. For tomatoes, small parasitic wasps that feed on dill flowers also lay their eggs in pest larvae like tomato hornworms and fruit worms. Dill should always be present in large quantities when you grow tomatoes, and letting it blossom will aid to attract beneficial insects.

Oregano

Oregano is an essential herb to have in your tomato patch since it not only tastes wonderful but also makes a great tomato companion plant.

The plants and flowers of oregano support a wide variety of beneficial insects that prey on pests. These are available in customizable herb seed packs, which also include many of the tomato companion plant varieties mentioned in this list.

Winter Rye

Due to its capacity to reduce weed growth around tomato plants, we've included this cover crop here. There are around 16 distinct allelochemicals in winter rye (compounds that restrict the growth of neighboring plants). It is among the best examples of cover crops that can deter weed development.

Rye should be sown as a winter cover crop in the fall for this plant relationship. Mow the plants to the ground as soon as they begin to bloom in the spring. Leave the residue where it is and plant your transplants right through it.

Oats

The best cover crop for beginners is oats. In regions with frequent cold temperatures, they work well. In the spring, you may grow tomatoes right through the residue. By protecting the soil over the winter and early spring and generating an impenetrable mat, oats work well at controlling the growth of weeds.

With combination of a few of these companion plants, you’ll be well on your way to plentiful tomato harvest seasons!