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Creating a successful vegetable garden in Zone 3 requires careful planning and the right plant choices. Companion planting is a natural way to improve plant health, repel pests, and boost yields. Here are the top 10 companion plants that thrive alongside vegetables in Zone 3 gardens.
1. Marigolds
Marigolds are renowned for their pest-repelling properties. Plant them near tomatoes, peppers, and beans to deter nematodes, aphids, and beetles. Their bright blooms also add visual appeal to your garden.
2. Basil
Basil is a versatile herb that benefits tomatoes by improving flavor and repelling pests like thrips and mosquitoes. It also attracts beneficial insects that help control garden pests.
3. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are excellent trap crops, attracting aphids and whiteflies away from vegetables. They also repel squash bugs and cucumber beetles, making them a valuable companion plant.
4. Carrots
Plant carrots with onions or chives to repel carrot flies and improve growth. The strong scent of onions confuses pests, protecting your carrots naturally.
5. Beans
Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, enriching it for neighboring plants like corn and squash. They also grow well alongside cucumbers and radishes, promoting a healthy garden ecosystem.
6. Cucumbers
Cucumbers benefit from planting near nasturtiums and beans. These companions help repel cucumber beetles and improve overall plant health, leading to better yields.
7. Lettuce
Lettuce grows quickly and benefits from being shaded by taller plants like peas or broccoli. Companion planting helps reduce pests and keeps the soil moist.
8. Peas
Peas are great nitrogen fixers and can be grown alongside carrots and radishes. They also provide shade for cooler season crops, extending your growing season.
9. Radishes
Radishes grow quickly and can be planted with carrots and lettuce. They help loosen the soil and attract beneficial insects that prey on pests.
10. Spinach
Spinach benefits from being planted near strawberries and peas. It prefers partial shade, which can be provided by taller companion plants, and helps improve soil health.