IC ROOTS NURSERY COMPANION PLANTING CHART Plant together for healthier gardens and better harvests ═══════════════════════════════════════════ WHY COMPANION PLANT? ✓ Natural pest control ✓ Improved pollination ✓ Better space utilization ✓ Nutrient sharing ✓ Enhanced flavors ✓ Soil improvement ═══════════════════════════════════════════ FRUIT TREES APPLES Good Companions: • Chives (deters aphids) • Nasturtiums (trap crop for aphids) • Clover (nitrogen fixer, living mulch) • Dill (attracts beneficial insects) • Marigolds (general pest deterrent) Avoid: • Walnut trees (toxic juglone) • Grass directly under trees ═══════════════════════════════════════════ CITRUS Good Companions: • Yarrow (attracts predatory wasps) • Dill (beneficial insect attractor) • Fennel (attracts lacewings) • Lavender (repels aphids) Avoid: • Other citrus too close (disease spread) • Vegetables (different water needs) ═══════════════════════════════════════════ STONE FRUITS (Peaches, Plums, Cherries) Good Companions: • Garlic (fungal disease prevention) • Onions (pest deterrent) • Tansy (deters fruit flies) • Comfrey (dynamic accumulator) Avoid: • Tomatoes (attract same pests) • Potatoes (disease crossover) ═══════════════════════════════════════════ BERRIES BLUEBERRIES Good Companions: • Azaleas (similar pH needs) • Rhododendrons (same soil requirements) • Cranberries (acid-loving) • Pine trees (acidify soil) • Strawberries (ground cover) Avoid: • Alkaline-loving plants • Deep-rooted vegetables ═══════════════════════════════════════════ STRAWBERRIES Good Companions: • Borage (improves flavor, deters pests) • Thyme (prevents fungal issues) • Lettuce (uses different nutrients) • Spinach (cool season companion) • Bush beans (nitrogen fixer) Avoid: • Brassicas (nutrient competition) • Tall plants (shade strawberries) ═══════════════════════════════════════════ BRAMBLES (Raspberries, Blackberries) Good Companions: • Garlic (deters Japanese beetles) • Chives (general pest protection) • Tansy (deters ants) • Turnips (ground cover early season) Avoid: • Other brambles (disease spread) • Nightshades (disease vectors) ═══════════════════════════════════════════ VINES GRAPES Good Companions: • Hyssop (attracts pollinators) • Oregano (pest deterrent) • Basil (repels flies and mosquitoes) • Clover (nitrogen fixer) • Blackberries (same growing conditions) Avoid: • Cabbage family (nutrient competition) • Radishes (allelopathic effects) ═══════════════════════════════════════════ KIWI Good Companions: • Comfrey (nutrient accumulator) • White clover (nitrogen, ground cover) • Nasturtiums (aphid control) • Marigolds (nematode control) Avoid: • Heavy feeders nearby • Shallow-rooted vegetables ═══════════════════════════════════════════ TROPICAL PLANTS BANANAS Good Companions: • Taro (similar water needs) • Ginger (shade tolerance) • Sweet potatoes (ground cover) • Lemongrass (pest deterrent) • Papaya (same climate needs) Avoid: • Plants needing dry conditions • Cool-season crops ═══════════════════════════════════════════ CITRUS (Container Tropicals) Good Companions: • Basil (pest control) • Nasturtiums (aphid trap crop) • Alyssum (beneficial insect attractor) • Borage (pollinator support) Avoid: • Water-sensitive herbs • Competing root systems ═══════════════════════════════════════════ BENEFICIAL PLANT GUILDS NITROGEN FIXERS (Improve soil) • Clover • Vetch • Peas • Beans • Lupines PEST DETERRENTS • Marigolds (general) • Garlic (aphids, beetles) • Nasturtiums (aphids, whiteflies) • Tansy (ants, beetles) • Chives (aphids) BENEFICIAL ATTRACTORS • Dill (ladybugs, lacewings) • Yarrow (predatory wasps) • Fennel (beneficial insects) • Borage (bees) • Alyssum (hoverflies) DYNAMIC ACCUMULATORS (Pull deep nutrients) • Comfrey • Dandelion • Yarrow • Chicory ═══════════════════════════════════════════ GENERAL PRINCIPLES 1. Diversity is key Mix plants from different families 2. Consider mature sizes Ensure proper spacing 3. Match water needs Group plants by irrigation requirements 4. Respect pH preferences Don't mix acid and alkaline lovers 5. Use vertical space Combine tall and short plants 6. Rotate annually Prevent pest/disease buildup ═══════════════════════════════════════════ PLANTS TO GENERALLY AVOID • Walnut trees (juglone toxicity affects most plants) • Fennel (allelopathic - plant isolated) • Eucalyptus (inhibits growth of nearby plants) • Black walnuts near any fruit production ═══════════════════════════════════════════ YOUR COMPANION PLANTING NOTES Main Crop: _________________________________ Good Companions: ____________________________ ___________________________________________ Plants to Avoid: ____________________________ ___________________________________________ Results: ____________________________________ ___________________________________________ --- © IC Roots Nursery www.icrootsnursery.net/resources