Top Picks for Accompanying Vegetables in Summer Squash Gardens
Goin' gardening? Got some squash? Let's boost your summer squash game with some killer companion plants! Here's the scoop on 11 amazing plants that'll help you grow more squash like never before.
1. Beans
What's up, fellow plant friends! Beans and summer squash are like peas in a pod – they share similar growing conditions and beans even add some important nitrogen to the soil your squash loves! Plant 'em together, and your garden will be poppin'!
2. Leeks
Leeks are the secret guardians of your squash patch. With their strong scent, leeks can fool pesky pests into steering clear of your squash. Plus, they don't take up much space, making them the perfect squash buddy.
3. Lettuce
Light and lean, lettuce slips into your garden with ease, leaving plenty of room for squash to spread out. With their quick growth, lettuce can be planted alongside young squash plants, maximizing your garden's yield!
4. Peas
Think of peas as vines of yore – they can climb trellises vertically, while summer squash takes over the ground. Peas also improve the soil with nitrogen, essential for squash health.
5. Radishes
Radishes are the ultimate space savers. Quick-growing and versatile, they'll help break up the soil, making it easier for squash roots to expand. And, they're capable of luring certain pests away from your precious squash!
6. Spinach
Tiny but mighty, spinach grows well with squash in cooler weather. Plus, by cultivating them together, you'll save space and ensure those pesky pests find themselves bewildered!
7. Tomatoes
Ah, tomatoes and summer squash – a perfect match. Both share similar requirements for growth and tomatoes even benefit from squash's living-mulch effect, keeping weeds at bay.
8. Oregano
Calling all herb enthusiasts! Oregano isn't just tasty in your recipes – it attracts important pollinators to the garden, ensuring your squash gets pollinated.
9. Basil
Basil not only complements summer squash deliciously, but it also helps repel pesky mosquitoes and flies while literally enhancing the flavor of your squash!
10. Borage
Looking for some bright blue in your garden? Borage will not only lure in those vital pollinators but also keep unwanted pests like tomato hornworms at bay. Once it's done blooming, borage leaves can even double as garden mulch!
11. Marigolds
Marigolds are always a garden party favorite. They'll help attract pollinators and repel pests like mosquitoes, making your squash have the best time possible amidst the garden festivities.
Now you're armed with the knowledge to create the ultimate squash patch! Start sowing and keep that squash calendar full with recipes galore. Leave the pests jealous as they gaze upon your bounty from afar. Happy gardening!
- Southern Living recommends growing beans with your summer squash for a harmonious garden partnership that benefits both plants.
- If you're looking to create a fruitful herb garden, consider adding aromatic oregano, as it attracts pollinators essential for squash growth.
- For gardeners who love the combination of gardening ideas and lifestyle, try planting tomatoes alongside summer squash to reap the rewards of their compatible growth habits.
- Incorporate basil into your vegetable garden not only for its culinary value, but also for its pest-repelling qualities that enhance the flavor of your summer squash.
- For those looking for suggestions on how to optimize their home-and-garden space, try interplanting radishes with summer squash to improve soil conditions.
- Lettuce and leeks are excellent companions for summer squash, as they do not compete for space and help deter pests from encroaching on your squash patch.
- Squash gardening enthusiasts might find it intriguing that borage, with its vibrant blue flowers, can lure in pollinators while keeping unwanted pests like tomato hornworms at bay.
- Another garden friend for your squash is marigold, which attracts pollinators and repels mosquitoes, creating an inviting ecosystem for your summer squash to thrive.
- While using vegetable garden companion plants, be sure to include pea vines as trellis climbers that not only improve soil health but also let squash effectively spread out on the ground.
- If you're seeking a unique and beneficial companion plant for your squash, consider adding squash-loving spinach to your garden plot in cooler weather, maximizing space and keeping pests guessing.
- To ensure your garden is an all-season haven for treasured home-grown fruits and vegetables, consider adding discussion-worthy squash varieties, such as those recommended in Southern Living's gardening articles, to your gardening to-do list for a year-round harvest of delightful flavors and bountiful yields.
