For me, gardening is more than just throwing seeds into the soil; it’s about understanding how different plants can help each other out. I’ve found that companion planting is a key strategy that really boosts the health and productivity of my garden.
I find that selecting the best Walking Onions companion plants really boosts the health of my garden.
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 Walking Onions
Let’s transform your garden together. I’ll show you how to apply companion planting techniques that I use to keep my garden flourishing. We’ll find the perfect plant partners to enhance your garden’s environment.
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Lettuce
I’ve found that Walking Onions are a great companion plant for Lettuce. They help deter pests like aphids and slugs, keeping my lettuce leaves healthy and intact. Additionally, the tall stalks of the Walking Onions provide some shade for the lettuce during hot summer days, preventing it from wilting too quickly.
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Tomatoes
Over the years, I have found that Walking Onions make excellent companion plants for tomatoes. I have noticed that the strong scent of the Walking Onions helps to deter pests that often attack tomato plants. Additionally, the tall and upright nature of the Walking Onions provides some shade and protection for the tomato plants during hot summer days. Lastly, I have observed that the deep root system of the Walking Onions helps to improve soil structure, which in turn benefits the growth and development of the tomato plants. -
Carrots
I first learned about how Walking Onions support Carrots as a companion plant from an old farmer. I have personally experienced that Walking Onions help deter pests that commonly attack Carrots, such as carrot flies. Additionally, the strong scent of Walking Onions can mask the smell of Carrots, making it harder for pests to locate them. Lastly, the tall and upright nature of Walking Onions can provide shade to Carrots, protecting them from excessive sunlight and heat.
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Radishes
Over time I figured out through trial and error that planting walking onions alongside radishes helps to repel pests that can damage the radish crop. I’ve noticed that the strong smell of the walking onions deters insects and other pests from attacking the radishes, keeping them healthy and thriving. Plus, the tall, slender stalks of the walking onions provide some shade for the radishes, helping to keep them cool and protected from the sun.
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Cabbage
This is a pretty common pairing! I’ve found that planting Walking Onions near Cabbage has been a great way to support the growth of both plants. Personally, I’ve noticed that the Walking Onions help deter pests that can harm the Cabbage, keeping it healthy and thriving. Additionally, the tall and sturdy nature of the Walking Onions provides some shade and protection for the Cabbage, especially during hot summer days.
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Peppers
This one comes from the book “Carrots love Tomatoes.” I have found that Walking Onions make great companion plants for Peppers. They help deter pests and provide shade for the pepper plants. Plus, the onions add a delicious flavor to the peppers when harvested together.
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Beans
This was a tip from a reader: Walking onions are a fantastic companion plant for beans. I have personally found that the strong scent of walking onions helps to deter pests that commonly attack beans. Additionally, the tall and upright nature of walking onions provides shade and support for the climbing bean plants, allowing them to grow and thrive. Lastly, the deep root system of walking onions helps to improve soil structure and nutrient availability, benefiting the overall health of the bean plants.
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Garlic
I’ve found that Walking Onions make a great companion for Garlic because they help repel pests that can damage the garlic crop. I’ve also noticed that the tall, slender stalks of the Walking Onions provide shade for the garlic, helping to keep the soil cool and moist. In my experience, planting Walking Onions close to garlic has resulted in healthier, more robust garlic plants. -
Chives
Another tip is to plant Walking Onions near Chives in my garden. I’ve found that the Walking Onions help repel pests that can harm the Chives. Plus, the two plants seem to thrive when they’re close to each other, making for a beautiful and bountiful garden. I’ve had great success with this companion planting in my own experience.
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Strawberries
I’ve found that Walking Onions make great companion plants for Strawberries. They help deter pests like aphids and slugs, keeping my strawberries healthy and pest-free. Additionally, the tall stalks of the Walking Onions provide shade for the delicate strawberry plants, preventing them from getting scorched by the sun. Lastly, the strong aroma of the Walking Onions masks the scent of the strawberries, making it harder for pests to locate them.
What Not To Plant With Walking Onions
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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Strawberries
I learned this the hard way, but planting Walking Onions near Strawberries can negatively impact the growth of the strawberries. The Walking Onions tend to spread quickly and can overshadow the strawberries, limiting their access to sunlight and nutrients.
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Beans
This one came from my neighbor, and I’ve noticed that the Walking Onions negatively impact the Beans. They seem to compete for nutrients and space, resulting in stunted growth for both plants.
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Peas
This also came from Carrots Love Tomatoes. Walking Onions negatively impact Peas because they release a chemical that inhibits the growth of Peas.
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Garlic
Another one I’ve heard around is that Walking Onions negatively impact Garlic. Unfortunately, I don’t have information on why this is the case.
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Potatoes
I’ve heard mixed things on this but Walking Onions can negatively impact Potatoes by competing for nutrients and space in the garden. They may also release chemicals that inhibit the growth of Potatoes.
What Should You Plant Near Walking Onions
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 Walking Onions.
Lettuce and Walking Onions Companion Planting
Walking onions are a good companion plant for lettuce in a vegetable garden. They help deter pests like aphids and carrot flies, and their tall stalks provide shade for the lettuce, preventing it from bolting in hot weather. Additionally, walking onions have shallow roots that won’t compete with lettuce for nutrients.
Carrots and Walking Onions Companion Planting
Yes, walking onions are a good companion plant for carrots in a vegetable garden. They can help repel pests that may damage the carrots and also provide shade for the carrots during hot weather. Additionally, walking onions can help improve the soil by adding nutrients as they grow.
Beans and Walking Onions Companion Planting
Walking onions are a good companion plant for beans in a vegetable garden. They help deter pests like aphids and beetles, while also providing shade to the beans. Additionally, walking onions have shallow roots that won’t compete with the beans for nutrients.
Tomatoes and Walking Onions Companion Planting
Yes, Walking Onions are a good companion plant for tomatoes. They can help repel pests and provide shade for the tomato plants. Additionally, they can also add nutrients to the soil, making them a beneficial addition to a vegetable garden.
Cucumbers and Walking Onions Companion Planting
Walking onions are a good companion plant for cucumbers in a vegetable garden. They help repel pests like aphids and spider mites, while also attracting beneficial insects like ladybugs. Additionally, walking onions can provide shade to the cucumber plants, helping to keep the soil cool and moist.
Zucchini and Walking Onions Companion Planting
Walking onions are a good companion plant for zucchini in a vegetable garden. They repel pests and their deep roots help to improve soil structure. Additionally, they do not compete for nutrients with zucchini.
Peppers and Walking Onions Companion Planting
Walking onions are a good companion plant for peppers in a vegetable garden. They help deter pests like aphids and onion flies, while also providing shade to the pepper plants. Additionally, walking onions can help improve the soil by adding nutrients through their root system.
Peas and Walking Onions Companion Planting
Walking onions are a good companion plant for peas in a vegetable garden. They help deter pests like aphids and carrot flies, and their tall growth provides shade for the peas. Additionally, walking onions have shallow roots that won’t compete with the deeper-rooted peas for nutrients.
Radishes and Walking Onions Companion Planting
Walking onions are a good companion plant for radishes in a vegetable garden. They help deter pests like aphids and carrot flies, while also providing shade to the radishes, which prefer cooler temperatures. Additionally, walking onions have shallow roots that won’t compete with radishes for nutrients.
Squash and Walking Onions Companion Planting
Walking onions are a good companion plant for summer squash in a vegetable garden. They help deter pests like aphids and onion flies, while also providing shade to the squash plants. Additionally, walking onions can help improve soil health by adding nutrients and organic matter.
Tips For Companion Planting With Walking Onions
- Incorporate flowering plants among your Walking Onions can provide nectar and pollen throughout the growing season to keep pollinators in your garden longer.
- Plant a few Walking Onions 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 Walking Onions, providing continuous attraction for beneficial insects and maintaining a balanced ecosystem throughout the growing season.
- When companion planting Walking Onions, 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 Walking Onions?
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