Don't Miss Out on This Companion Planting Guide for All Seasons

If your garden has been plagued by pests, patchy growth, or disappointing yields, it might not be your soil or seed quality. It could be your planting strategy.

Many gardeners stick to traditional row planting without realizing they’re missing out on one of the most effective and natural ways to improve their garden’s success: companion planting.

Companion planting is more than a gardening trend. It’s a time-tested technique that pairs specific plants together to create a more balanced, productive, and pest-resistant garden — all as part of a successful year-round garden strategy.

If you’ve ever had to spray more than you’d like or watched one crop thrive while its neighbor struggled, it may be time to consider a better pairing strategy.

What Is Companion Planting (and Why It Works)

Companion planting is the practice of growing specific plants side-by-side so they help each other thrive naturally, using the natural features of each type of plant. If you’re new to the idea, a companion planting guide can help you get started.

Together, certain pairings of plants can support each other by:

• Improving soil nutrition: Deep-rooted plants, like carrots or comfrey, help bring nutrients up from deeper layers of the soil. These nutrients then become available to nearby shallow-rooted plants, creating a more balanced and naturally enriched growing environment.
  
  
• Providing protection: Tall or sturdy plants can act as living shade structures, helping protect sun-sensitive crops from heat stress. Others serve as natural trellises for climbing vegetables or create windbreaks that reduce plant damage and soil erosion.
  
  
• Reducing pests naturally: Some plants release strong scents that confuse or repel pests, while others attract insects like ladybugs or bees. This creates a healthier garden where your garden works to keep pests in check without the need for chemical sprays.

Year-Round Companion Planting 101: What to Plant and When

Companion planting isn’t limited to any one growing season.

With the right plants and a little bit of planning, you can use companion planting to support your garden and boost your harvests through every season. That’s the foundation of a truly productive year-round garden.

Spring

In early spring, your garden is waking up. You’re often working with cool soil, unpredictable weather, and the goal of getting a strong start.

Try:

• Peas and carrots make a strong combination. Peas climb while carrots grow down, so they don’t compete for space.
  
  
• Lettuce and radishes grow well together too. The radishes mature quickly and help loosen the soil, giving lettuce roots more room to spread.

Summer

Summer brings heat, rapid plant growth, and increased pest pressure. Companion planting during this time is often about managing space and keeping pests in check.

Try:

• Tomatoes and basil are a classic pairing. Basil helps repel pests and may even improve the flavor of your tomatoes.
  
  
• Corn, beans, and squash, often referred to as the “Three Sisters,” these three crops are tried and true for their ability to grow well together. Corn offers support for the beans, beans enrich the soil, and squash spreads to shade the soil and keep weeds down.

Fall

As temperatures begin to drop and moisture levels rise, fall is a time to protect your soil and extend your harvest.

Try: 

• Beets and onions work well together. Onions help deter pests that might target root vegetables.
  
  
• Spinach and garlic are another smart match. Garlic helps prevent fungal issues that can be common in damp fall conditions.

Winter (with Greenhouse Support)

In colder months, a greenhouse can help you maintain a more controlled area to continue your growing season. Companion planting in winter is about resilience and working with hardy crops.

• Kale and garlic both tolerate colder temperatures and grow well side by side.
  
  
• Chard and winter lettuce are a good pairing for variety and consistent harvests in a protected space.

Take on Companion Planting Like an Expert Gardener

Once you’ve got the basics down, these best practices will help you make the most of any companion planting guide and your garden.

Start With A Goal In Mind

Think about what you’re trying to accomplish: Are you hoping to reduce pests? Improve soil health? Maximize space? Knowing your main objective can help you choose the right plant combinations and garden layout.

Pay Attention To Plant Size And Spacing

Not all companion plants grow at the same rate or to the same size. Tall or sprawling plants can easily crowd out smaller ones if you’re not careful. Make sure your layout gives each plant enough room to grow without competing too heavily for light or root space.

Use Scent To Your Advantage

Many herbs and flowers have strong aromas that confuse or deter pests. Mixing in plants like basil, dill, or marigolds can help keep unwanted insects away, while also attracting beneficial ones like pollinators and predatory bugs.

Rotate Your Pairings Each Year

Just like crop rotation, changing up your plant pairings each season can help prevent disease and nutrient imbalances. Avoid planting the same combinations in the same spot year after year.

Observe And Adjust

No two gardens are exactly the same. Pay attention to how your plants are doing — if one seems stunted or stressed, it could be struggling with competition. Don’t be afraid to adjust your layout mid-season based on what you’re seeing.

Keep Incompatible Plants Apart

Some plants simply don’t get along. They may compete too heavily for resources or attract the same pests. If you’re not sure about a pairing, a quick check with a trusted companion planting guide (like this one from the Farmers’ Almanac) can help you steer clear of combinations that work against each other.

Why Companion Planting Thrives in a Greenhouse 

If you take one thing away from this companion planting guide, let it be this: a greenhouse takes out a lot of the guesswork from your year-round garden.

With steady conditions, your plant pairings can do what they’re meant to do without being thrown off by weather or pests. It’s one of the best ways to make your year-round garden more successful.

In a greenhouse
, your plants will enjoy:

• More Stable Conditions: In Texas, the weather can change on a dime. Late frosts, heavy rain, or those famous Texan heat waves can stress your plants and throw off their natural partnerships.
  
  
• Natural Pest Control: When used inside a greenhouse, companion planting is a great way to manage pests without chemicals. Strong-smelling herbs like basil, dill, or mint can confuse harmful insects or attract helpful ones like ladybugs and hoverflies.
  
  
• Longer Growing Seasons: One of the biggest benefits of a greenhouse is the ability to grow food longer into the year. In some places, a greenhouse means you can garden all year long.
  
  
• Better Use of Space: In smaller garden spaces, it helps to think vertically. Inside a greenhouse, you can use companion planting to layer crops — tall plants in the back, ground-huggers in the front, or fast growers around slow growers.
  
  
• Easier Soil Management: When your garden is under cover, it’s easier to keep your garden’s soil healthy. You can use companion plants to improve the soil, like beans that add nitrogen, or plant trap crops that draw pests away from your main vegetables. 

Grow a Year-Round Garden with Confidence

Companion planting is a simple, proven way to boost plant health, reduce pests, and get more from your garden, naturally. 

With the added protection of a greenhouse, you can keep those benefits going through every season.

Whether you're planting in raised beds or planning your next greenhouse setup, the right plant pairings make all the difference.

Ready to build a space that supports your garden year-round?