I think of gardening as a way to understand the relationships between plants, not just planting them. I use companion planting extensively to help my garden grow healthier and more plentiful.
I find that selecting the best Asparagus companion plants have been great way to level up my gardening.
What is Companion Planting?
This gardening practice, known as companion planting, strategically places certain plants together to maximize health and productivity and to minimize pest-related disturbances.
Best Companion Plants For Asparagus
I’d love to show you the ropes of companion planting. With a few tips and some insider knowledge, you’ll see just how much it can enhance your gardening game. Let’s start this exciting journey to a healthier garden together!
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Tomatoes
I’ve found that planting asparagus alongside tomatoes helps to repel harmful pests and insects that can damage the tomato plants. Additionally, asparagus has deep roots that can help to improve soil quality and nutrient uptake for the tomato plants. Just make sure the tomatoes don’t shade out the asparagus when they’re smaller.
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Parsley
Over the years I have found that planting parsley with my asparagus has been incredibly beneficial. I’ve noticed that parsley helps to repel harmful insects that can damage my asparagus crop. Additionally, the strong scent of parsley seems to attract beneficial insects that help to pollinate my asparagus plants. I’ve also found that parsley helps to improve the flavor of my asparagus when they are harvested together. -
Basil
I first learned about using basil as a companion plant for asparagus from an old farmer. I’ve personally found that planting basil near my asparagus helps to repel pests and improve the flavor of both plants. Additionally, the basil attracts beneficial insects that can help pollinate the asparagus and keep harmful pests at bay.
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Marigolds
Over time I figured out through trial and error that planting marigolds alongside asparagus greatly benefits the growth of both plants. I noticed that the marigolds acted as natural pest repellents, keeping harmful insects away from my asparagus. Additionally, the marigolds attracted beneficial insects like ladybugs, which helped to control any potential pest problems. Lastly, the vibrant colors of the marigolds added a beautiful touch to my asparagus patch, creating a visually appealing garden.
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Nasturtiums
This is a pretty common pairing! I’ve found that planting nasturtiums near my asparagus has been a game-changer. They act as a natural pest repellent, keeping those pesky bugs away from my asparagus. Plus, their vibrant flowers add a pop of color to my garden, making it even more beautiful.
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Chives
This one comes from the book “Carrots love Tomatoes.” I’ve found that planting chives alongside asparagus has been a great companion for my asparagus plants. Chives help deter pests like aphids and nematodes, which can harm asparagus. Plus, their strong scent seems to confuse and repel insects that may be attracted to asparagus.
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Dill
This was a tip from a reader: Asparagus and dill make great companion plants in my garden. I have found that planting dill near my asparagus helps to deter pests like aphids and spider mites. Additionally, the strong scent of dill seems to attract beneficial insects that help pollinate the asparagus flowers. Overall, I have noticed healthier and more productive asparagus plants when grown by my dill.
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Cilantro
I’ve found that cilantro is a great companion plant for asparagus. It helps to repel pests that can damage the asparagus plants, keeping them healthy and thriving. Additionally, cilantro attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs, which can help control any pests that do manage to make their way to the asparagus. Lastly, cilantro’s deep roots help to improve the soil structure, providing a better growing environment for the asparagus. -
Sage
Another tip is to plant sage near your asparagus. I’ve found that sage helps to repel pests that can damage asparagus plants, keeping them healthy and thriving. Additionally, the strong aroma of sage can mask any odors that may attract pests to your asparagus. In my experience, planting sage near asparagus has resulted in a bountiful harvest year after year.
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Thyme
I’ve found that Thyme is a great companion plant for Asparagus. It helps to deter pests and insects that can harm the Asparagus plant. Additionally, Thyme’s strong aroma can mask the scent of Asparagus, making it less attractive to pests. Lastly, Thyme’s shallow root system doesn’t compete with the deep roots of Asparagus, allowing both plants to thrive together.
What Not To Plant With Asparagus
Just like there are plants that play well together, there are others that don’t get along. Here are some plants that you’re going to want to avoid putting into close proximity to each other. Most of these aren’t the end of the world if it happens, we only have so much garden space after all, but where it makes sense, keep these in mind.
NOTE: You’ll notice some of these plants might also be a companion plant listed above. With each pairing there are benefits and drawbacks, so I’ve listed drawbacks here if any exist.
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Garlic
I learned this the hard way – planting garlic near asparagus can actually stunt the growth of the asparagus. The garlic releases chemicals that can inhibit the growth of the asparagus, so I had to separate them in my garden.
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Onions
This one came from my neighbor and I’ve noticed that the asparagus doesn’t do well when planted near onions. I’ve seen that the onions can stunt the growth of the asparagus and compete for nutrients, leading to smaller and less productive asparagus plants.
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Potatoes
This also came from Carrots Love Tomatoes. Asparagus negatively impacts Potatoes because they release chemicals that inhibit the growth of Potatoes.
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Tomatoes
This is a mixed bag, but from some people this is find, others say that asparagus negatively impacts tomatoes because it releases a chemical that inhibits the growth of nearby tomato plants.
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Parsley
I’ve heard mixed things on this but some sources say that asparagus can negatively impact the growth of parsley by competing for nutrients in the soil.
What Should You Plant Near Asparagus
In addition to the list below, there are some common plants you likely already have in your garden that I thought you might want to know. These veggies make up much of my garden, so here is what you need to know about companion planting them with Asparagus.
Lettuce and Asparagus Companion Planting
Asparagus is a mixed bag when it comes to being a companion plant for lettuce in a vegetable garden. Asparagus has deep roots that can compete with lettuce for nutrients and water, potentially stunting its growth. Additionally, asparagus can shade out lettuce plants, reducing their access to sunlight.
Carrots and Asparagus Companion Planting
In some ways asparagus isn’t a great match because it has deep roots that can compete with carrots for nutrients and water, potentially stunting their growth. Additionally, asparagus can shade out the carrots, reducing their access to sunlight.
Beans and Asparagus Companion Planting
These are fine to plant near each other, their roots are different depths and beans are a nitrogen fixer.
Tomatoes and Asparagus Companion Planting
These are perfectly fine to plant with each other, there are some that say they can compete some, but I haven’t found that to be true.
Cucumbers and Asparagus Companion Planting
It’s worth noting that sometimes because asparagus has a deep root system it can compete with cucumbers for nutrients and water, potentially stunting their growth.
Zucchini and Asparagus Companion Planting
Asparagus is not a good companion plant for zucchini in a vegetable garden because Asparagus has different soil and water requirements than zucchini.
Peppers and Asparagus Companion Planting
Asparagus is not a good companion plant for peppers in a vegetable garden. Asparagus has different soil and watering requirements than peppers, and it can also shade out the pepper plants due to its height.
Peas and Asparagus Companion Planting
Yes, asparagus is a good companion plant for peas in a vegetable garden. Asparagus helps to repel pests that can damage peas, and both plants have similar soil and watering needs. Additionally, asparagus can help to fix nitrogen in the soil, which can benefit the growth of peas.
Radishes and Asparagus Companion Planting
Sometimes depending on your timing, asparagus can shade out radishes, reducing their access to sunlight. So just make sure to plant your radishes early enough so you harvest before the asparagus gets too tall.
Squash and Asparagus Companion Planting
Asparagus has different soil and water requirements than summer squash, and can also compete for nutrients and space in the garden. It’s best to plant them separately to ensure both plants thrive.
Onions and Asparagus Companion Planting
Asparagus is not a good companion plant for onions in a vegetable garden. Asparagus has a deep root system that can compete with onions for nutrients and water, potentially stunting their growth. Additionally, asparagus can shade out the onions, reducing their access to sunlight.
Tips For Companion Planting With Asparagus
- Incorporate flowering plants among your Asparagus can provide nectar and pollen throughout the growing season to keep pollinators in your garden longer.
- Plant a few Asparagus each week of your so you have some ready to harvest each week instead of all at once. This will make it so you can eat what is ready without going to waste or having too many at once.
- Plan your garden so that different plants bloom consecutively alongside Asparagus, providing continuous attraction for beneficial insects and maintaining a balanced ecosystem throughout the growing season.
- When companion planting Asparagus, pair tall plants that provide shade with lower-growing, shade-tolerant plants to make the most efficient use of space and light.
- Plant legumes such as peas and beans near plants that require a lot of nitrogen. Legumes fix nitrogen in the soil, enriching it for plants that are heavy feeders.
Your Turn!
- What have you learned about companion planting for Asparagus?
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