I've had some struggles with gardening in the past, but with spring just around the corner and rising prices making me want to grow my own food, I'm ready to give it another shot. I recently got my hands on seeds for thyme, green onion, sage, tomato, spearmint, and some lavender just for fun. I'll be planting them in a few weeks when the weather warms up here in Alberta, Canada. Since I only have three pots right now (but plan to get more later), I'm curious about companion planting. I understand that tomatoes and mint should be kept separate, but I'd love some advice on what other plants can be together in the pots I have!
4 Answers
I recommend starting with plants rather than seeds for thyme, sage, and lavender since they can take longer to thrive from seeds. You’ll have a quicker and more successful setup this way if you want to get things growing right away!
When planning your pots, think about the height of each plant to make sure they’re positioned for the best sunlight. Place taller plants towards the back and smaller ones in front. For your situation with tomatoes, try planting green onions a few inches away from them—just remember to prune any lower tomato leaves to keep air circulating. Thyme can fit nicely around it as they have less extensive roots, so they won’t compete too much. Also, keep in mind when your growing season ends and that tomatoes may need to be started indoors to get a good harvest!
You definitely want to consider adding basil with your tomatoes! They get along really well and basil can help deter pests while also boosting the flavor of the tomatoes. Just keep in mind that basil can grow tall, so be ready to trim it back a bit as it expands.
Last year, I had great success planting pole beans alongside my indeterminate tomatoes. They were super compatible, so you might want to consider that combo if you’re looking for something new to try down the line!