Do you want sweet, juicy tomatoes? 🍅
Then give them the right friends in your garden! Just like people, tomatoes grow better when they’re around good company. This is called companion planting, and it can make your tomatoes taste better, grow faster, and stay safe from pests.
Let’s look at which plants are tomato BFFs — and which ones should stay away!
Why companion planting matters
When you plant the right crops together, they help each other out. Some plants chase away bugs, others improve soil, and some even boost flavor. It’s an easy, natural way to grow stronger plants — no chemicals needed!
Best friends for tomatoes
Here are the top 7 plants your tomatoes will love having nearby:
1. Basil
- Boosts tomato flavor
- Keeps away bugs like whiteflies and mosquitoes
- A perfect pair — even in cooking!
2. Garlic & Chives
- Stop aphids and other pests
- Help prevent tomato diseases
- Add flavor and fragrance to your garden
3. Carrots
- Their long roots grow deep and don’t bother tomato roots
- Great use of garden space!
4. Green Onions
- Repel pests naturally
- Easy to grow and harvest
5. Marigolds
- Beautiful and bold flowers
- Protect tomatoes from nematodes and flying insects
6. Bush Beans
- Fix nitrogen in the soil, which tomatoes need to grow
- A good “team player” in your garden!
7. Lettuce (Bonus!)
- Grows low and doesn’t block tomato sunlight
- Keeps soil cool and moist
What NOT to plant near tomatoes
Some plants don’t get along with tomatoes. They might bring diseases, attract pests, or compete for food and water.
- Corn: Attracts tomato hornworms — no thanks!
- Potatoes: Can spread blight (a serious tomato disease)
- Cucumbers: Compete for space, water, and soil
- Cabbage family (broccoli, kale, etc.): Compete for nutrients and don’t help tomatoes grow
Planning your garden for tomato success
To get the most from your tomato patch, plan before you plant!
Here’s how:
- Give tomatoes space - Airflow stops mold and disease
- Use raised beds or rows - Helps with drainage and sunlight
- Mix in good companions - Basil, marigold, carrots, and beans work best
- Rotate your crops yearly - Prevents soil sickness and pests
- Keep away bad neighbors - Like potatoes and corn — plant them far apart
💡 Pro Tip: Use easyDacha app! It simplifies the process by analyzing your space and suggesting crops that will thrive based on factors like sunlight, water availability, and ground type. It even provides step-by-step to-do lists tailored to your location and climate, ensuring you never miss a critical gardening task.
🌱 Join our pre-launch list today to get early access and make your gardening journey smoother, more productive, and more enjoyable!
🥗 Wrap-Up: Tomato Love Starts with Good Neighbors
If you want big, beautiful tomatoes this year, don’t just plant them and hope. Plan their garden friendships! Choose smart companions like basil, marigolds, and beans — and keep away the troublemakers like corn and potatoes.
Your tomatoes will grow faster, taste better, and stay strong. 🌞🍅