Broccoli is a highly nutritious vegetable with typically a yellow flower. This cold season plant is so rich in nutrients that it is sometimes called “the crown jewel of nutrition.” In this feed we will get to know some broccoli companion plants that can be planted alongside Broccoli for a beneficial Companionship.
If you’re already growing this veggie or you intend to start and are looking for the right plant to pair the broccoli, you’re in luck. I’ll be going through some benefits of broccoli companion planting while including plants that can satisfy that need. I’ll also leave you with some invaluable tips on plants not to pair with broccoli.
Companion planting not only gives you the chance to enjoy another plant but also sets your garden up to still look good when your seasonal plant dies.
Growing Broccoli in Your Garden
Broccoli is a cold season plant meaning it thrives in cooler temperatures. Summer temperatures higher than 75 degrees Fahrenheit will affect the growth of this nutritious vegetable.
Broccoli is a member of the cabbage family that includes other veggies like Brussels sprouts and cauliflower. It grows best when planted in spring or fall and matures in only 6 to 8 weeks.
Before we dive right in, let me show you what exactly companion planting is and how it affects nutrition’s crown jewel (broccoli).
What is Companion Planting?
I, for one, feel better when I’m with my partner, family, or friends. There’s this feeling of comfort and security you probably cannot explain, but it’s there. Plants may not show emotions, but they feel the same about it.
How do I know?
It is evident with how they blossom when around companions.
When pairing plants with broccoli, one or both of them must benefit from the pairing. If only one of them is benefiting from the combination, then the other must be unaffected.
For your broccoli garden, companionship helps deter pests, diversify the garden, improve soil quality, provide protection or support, and improve the quality of produce.
All these benefits will save your resources and bring about better produce.
Broccoli Companion Plants: What to Plant with Broccoli?
I’ve been asked this question several, and I’m glad I can finally give you a definite and concise answer. I will not only tell you what you can pair with broccoli, but I will also link the plants with its benefit, either from or to the broccoli.
1. Repel Pests
Pests are the biggest challenges you’ll face in your broccoli garden. These pests can wipe out a whole garden and render all your efforts useless that is why you must protect your farm against pests.
Using chemicals and other pesticides exposes your crops and yourself to harmful chemicals. It is also expensive to use. Why not employ an effective and cheaper option?
Pests are also common vectors for diseases, so stopping pests attack will significantly reduce the diseases that can attack your broccoli. Some prevalent broccoli pests include; cabbageworm, carrot flies, cabbage moths, and cucumber beetles.
# Example of Plants
- Marigold
- Rue
- Catnip
- Rosemary
- Garlic
- Lemon balm
- Lemongrass
2. Broccoli Companion Plants to Increase Broccoli Flavor
Do you know you can improve the flavor of your broccoli plant by growing some specific plants close to it? Well, I’m here to show you all the secrets.
Planting certain crops near a broccoli plant will improve its flavor and make it even more delicious in your meals. Broccoli is one of the most nutritious veggies and is not a bitter plant on its own, but you can make it taste even better.
# Example of Plants
- Onion
- Celery
- Garlic
- Leeks
- Shallots
- Potatoes
Yes, potatoes. Although potatoes negatively affect many vegetables, it is beneficial to the broccoli plant.
3. Increase the Aesthetic of Your Garden
Sometimes you want a more attractive garden. Even though broccoli produces charming yellow flowers, they do not last long enough to affect your garden’s aesthetics consistently.
Growing colorful and attractive broccoli companion plants alongside your broccoli will only do your garden right. Your landscape takes a different dimension when you carefully select the companion plant that’ll fit nicely into your already existing landscape.
Some plants even release pleasant scents that will make your garden smell so good, your visitors would not want to leave.
# Example of Plants
- Chamomile
- Marigold
- Nasturtium
- Cosmos
4. Plants Comfortable Under the Light Broccoli Shade
Broccoli, especially large varieties, typically cast their shadows and cause shade under them. When companion planting smaller plants, you should make sure they are shade-loving plants that’ll do well under the shade created.
Using broccoli will save you the cost of setting up shades to protect your plants. It’ll also allow your garden to remain natural and beautiful. Broccoli loves to grow under the full sun not to have a problem receiving all the sunlight. When you have plants that love the shade and are relatively small, as broccoli is generally not a gigantic plant, you can grow them together.
# Example of Plants
- Lettuce
- Radish
What NOT to Plant with Broccoli?
Broccoli may be easy to grow vegetables, but some plants spell disaster if grown close to broccoli. You do not want your efforts to be wasted, do you?
- Heavy calcium feeders: broccoli is a heavy feeder and needs a lot of calcium to grow into the nutritious plant we all love. That is why it will be counter-productive to grow other plants that require high amounts of calcium. Generally, avoid all heavy feeders that will be struggling for nutrients with your broccoli—plants like sweet corn, asparagus, and pumpkin.
- Plants that need a lot of room to grow: broccoli grows by spreading its leaves, which takes up a lot of space. You mustn’t grow another plant that needs a lot of space to grow—plants like cabbage.
- Other veggies in the cabbage family: it is advisable not to double up on other members of the brassica family as they will not only be struggling for the same nutrients but will attract the same pests—plants like kale and Brussels sprouts.
- Nightshades: avoid planting any member of the nightshade family near your broccoli—plants like tomatoes, eggplant, and hot peppers.
Conclusion
I have provided you with the information you need to have a successful broccoli companion planting in your garden.
Have you grown any plant not listed here alongside your broccoli before? Tell me about your success rate in the comments. I’m curious.
