Originally published on December 11, 2019. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! A companion planting guide such as this one will show you which vegetables and flowers support or inhibit the growth of other plants and/or which pests they deter. Many veggies make good companions for kale, and they all help out in their own unique ways. It also helps repel aphids, … Avoid planting vegetables in large patches or long rows and interplant with flowers and herbs. ‘Bouquet’ seeds from Mountain Valley Seed Co. come in packets of various sizes and are available at True Leaf Market. Bunching onions (Allium fistulosum) are low-maintenance, easy-going plants to have in the garden. I use them as scallions in salads, salsas, and stir-fries. This fragrant plant attracts hoverflies, and is therefore an excellent aphid control. Companion planting is the practice of placing species adjacent to one another to take advantage of mutual benefits that help both plants thrive. Companion planting is part experience, part folklore, and part wishful thinking. Kale is buddy-buddy with beets, celery, cucumbers, herbs, onions, spinach, chard, and potatoes. Organic buckwheat seeds from Mountain Valley Seed Co. can be found in a variety of sizes at True Leaf Market. Generally considered cool weather crops , brassicas – such as cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, and brussel sprouts – serve as a pretty easy going companions to most plants. Plant near: most garden crops Hi Kristyn! It starts blooming in early spring, providing a source of early nectar for beneficial insects. Among … These two types of beans are the exact same species, so why would there be a difference? Seeds for the white-flowered ‘Tiny Tim’ variety, which grows only 3 inches tall, can be found at True Leaf Market. Companion planting brassicas helps to save space, prevent disease and pests, and keep weeds at bay, while improving the taste and flavour of your crops. Planting Kale in your Garden. The ‘Bouquet’ variety will be sure to make you – and your beneficial insects – happy. Seeds are available at Eden Brothers. Light Requirements. Companion planting is maybe the easiest organic way to encourage health and growth in your garden. And lemongrass isn’t just great in the garden. Many backyard gardeners overlook planting grains and cover crops in their garden, but these plants can serve important roles in protecting your kale – along with adding some visual interest to your garden. Along with attracting beneficial insects, sorghum has another benefit related to its growth habit. And most herbs are light feeders, which means they don’t compete with your crop for nitrogen. In my opinion, there is no beating the leek. Most companion plant guides say that bush beans are a good kale companion but pole beans are not. The ripe tomatoes have a gorgeous purplish red color with a bit of green on top, and the seeds are surrounded by a lovely green gel. I like to add several varieties of marigold to my garden every year, including those that are nice and tall. It produces high yields of classic green beans that will be ready to harvest in 50-70 days. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Even if they didn’t help prevent damage from pests, I would include these in my garden anyway, just because they are such a cheery little flower. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. Onions. Some of the excellent companion plants of kale include dills, garlic, onions, nasturtium, and herbs of the mint family such as rosemary, thyme, and sage. In a study conducted in 1998, published in the Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology, hot peppers (Capsicum annuum) were found to attract Trichogramma chilonis, a type of parasitic wasp, so add hot peppers to your list of insectary plants. When choosing the best companions for kale, we want plants that play the following roles: Some plants will do more than one job – so take advantage of the companions with multiple roles and you’ll get more bang for your buck. The smell of marigolds (Tagetes spp.) Kale: Kale’s a Brassica plant, so it needs a lot of the same care as your Brussels sprouts will, making your job easier when the two are planted together. In fact, it can be grown throughout the year in some areas. I can never really pin down a favorite variety when it comes to nasturtiums, but I do find varieties with red flowers particularly attractive in the garden. Call them herbs if you like, but for companion planting purposes, you can also call them “insectary plants.”. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Depending upon who you ask, kale either likes tomatoes or it doesn’t. Companion Planting With Collards. Kale chips are very popular right now and are great with salads as well. On the other hand, if you’re a cilantro hater, leave it in the garden. One study in Kenya in 2003 published by the International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology, found that tomatoes interplanted with kale reduced infestations of diamondback moths (Plutella xylostella), a damaging pest, as well as other pest insects and diseases. Basil. The following allelopathic plants can have harmful effects on neighboring plants, including kale: Here’s a convenient reference chart to help you plan your vegetable patch: You knew kale was popular as a health food, but now you know it’s pretty popular with its garden friends, too. Kale likes full to partial sun. Organic evergreen bunching onion seeds are available for purchase at True Leaf Market. Radishes. It isn’t happy growing next to beans, strawberries, or tomatoes. Chives are easy to find at plant nurseries, but why not try starting your own from seed? 18 Cabbage Family Companion Plants & 4 To Never Grow Together Learn more about growing lemongrass here. Are there any other companions you have had personal experience with in your garden? You can get organic hairy vetch cover crop seeds in package sizes from one to 50 pounds at True Leaf Market. Read on to find out about kale companion planting. Post navigation ← swiss chard companion plants Companion Planting Leeks → Buckwheat is fast-growing, maturing in just 30-40 days, so it can act as a nurse plant while your seedlings get established. This wonderful garden plant will get you cooking all of those French dishes you’ve always wanted to try. Kale also prefers loamy, well-drained, moist (but not soggy) soil of average fertility. COPYRIGHT © 2021 ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. I’m going to cover a few of the more common garden plants you can use, explain how they can help, and suggest some of my favorites. Hi There, Here is more about what we do. If you plant in the cool season, kale should be planted in full sun, but if you plant during the warm season, plant kale in partial shade. Peppers are also light feeders, making good companions in this way, as well. These two types of beans are the exact same species, so why would there be a difference? Spatial interaction of plants occurs in most gardens naturally. If you’re only growing sorghum as a beneficial plant, rather than to harvest the gluten-free grain, you might try planting ornamental broom corn. Among the veggie plants compatible with kale are: Kale also enjoys the company of many herbs such as: Hyssop, marigolds and nasturtium companions get a thumb’s up from kale as well. This pest deterrent will certainly make you smile when you see it bravely guarding your kale. Organic chives seeds are available from True Leaf Market. – Does not grow well with. I learned that roses also companion plant well with garlic. The above list is not exhaustive, but it will give you a start in learning who your kale might like to rub shoulders with – and why! Peas. And you can add them to your list of insectary plants, as well. Thanks for this wonderful Hub. We have more for you right here: Photo by Meghan Yager © Ask the Experts, LLC. In my neck of the woods, the Pacific Northwest, kale thrives with our cooler temps and plentiful rain. Kale is a cool weather green with ruffled leaves that grows in USDA zones 7-10. About Kale Companion Plants. There is a wide range of suitable companions for this cruciferous plant, and they offer their assistance in different ways. Go ahead and plant tomatoes and kale together. 2. It’s a nitrogen fixer, a ground cover, and it attracts beneficial insects. So what are the best companion plants for kale? One of my favorite varieties is the heirloom, ‘Blue Lake,’ a type of snap bush bean. Companion plants offer shade and shelter, repel crop-destroying insect pests, and enhance garden soil with essential nutrients. Because kale can be planted early and harvested late, choose a sunny spot that will provide some warmth in the spring and fall, but a partly shaded area for summer. Seeds for this garden gem are available from Eden Brothers. Read more about growing bunching onions here. Just make sure you feed them with supplementary fertilizer, because they both want a lot of nitrogen. Anita Hasch from Port Elizabeth on February 21, 2017: Love this article on companion planting. Kale can tolerate temps down to 20 degrees F. (-6 C.) but becomes rather tough when temps exceed 80 F. (26 C.). Packets of organic ‘Cherokee Purple’ seeds are available at Eden Brothers. Lettuce. It’s useful to be aware of allelopaths in order to prevent and diagnose mysterious garden problems unattributable to disease or pests. Lettuce. And I’m not the only one who likes that smell – hoverflies do, too, and their larval form feeds on aphids, a common pest for growers of cruciferous vegetables. Although it’s not a legume, it is a nitrogen fixer, so will add nutrients to your entire garden. Beans are nitrogen fixers, so they are good friends for this cole crop since they won’t compete for nitrogen, and will add it to the soil. Last updated: November 15, 2020 at 5:00 am. For example, some species may have natural pest-deterrence properties that benefit a neighbor, while the neighbor plant might bolster nutrients in the soil. Check out the delicious leek, artichoke, and red pepper quiche recipe at Foodal. Hoverflies – one of my favorite beneficial insects to observe – are more attracted to yellow and white flowers than other colors, and dill fits this description. Their lovely purple blossoms nod in the warm breeze on a summer day, standing out amongst all the leafy garden plants. It can act as a ground cover crop, encouraging water retention and preventing soil degradation. Its seeds produce bushy plants that grow up to 14 inches high and have huge flower heads that reach 4-5 inches across. I planted a apple tree from a pip. Cabbage: onions and others within the allium family like the leeks and chives, are excellent companion plants for cabbage. Kale can tolerate temps down to 20 degrees F. (-6 C.) but becomes rather tough when temps exceed 80 F. (26 C.). However, you may want to avoid planting it with its brassica relatives. Help! The ‘Inca II Series’ African marigold variety is one of the tall ones. I think I will go ahead and give it a try. They get along with some companion plants but not others. Read more about growing various types of beans here, Learn more about growing hot peppers here, Read more about growing bunching onions here, Learn about growing nasturtium flowers here, How to Naturally Kill Insects on Kale: The Best Organic Solutions, Kale Spacing: How Far Apart to Plant for the Best Harvest, How to Protect Rosemary Plants in the Winter, Lemongrass Winter Care: How to Prepare for the Cold, How to Plant and Grow the Classic Perennial Peony, Give an Old-Fashioned Beauty New Life: Grow Wax Begonia, Gardening at Home: 31 of the Best Kits to Get Started, How to Make Your Own Fresh Cut Flower Food, Identifying and Controlling Cabbage Maggots, Tips for Growing Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) in the Garden, 25 of the Best Early Spring Blooming Flowers, insectary, ground cover, nitrogen fixer, shade, Insectaries: attract predatory and parasitoid insects with nectar, pollen, and shelter, Repellents: deter pests through smell or visual confusion, Nitrogen fixers: add nitrogen to the soil, Light feeders: have low nitrogen requirements so won’t compete for nitrogen, Shade providers: offer protection in the form of shade, Tree of heaven – this invasive species contains phytotoxic chemicals in its roots and bark, which inhibit root growth in plants growing nearby. Tomatoes are also compatible with chives and onion. Not only will you have a ready list of companions by the end of this article, but you will also understand the ways in which these plants will help your kale thrive. ‘Empress of India’ is one such variety with deep scarlet flowers. Kale looks lovely in a mixed veggie and flower bed, and a low growing variety of sweet alyssum will make an excellent border for such plantings. Peppers: Pepper plants won’t compete with kale for the nitrogen that kale needs lots of to thrive. Get your own fresh supply of leeks by growing them as companions to your kale. Cucumbers, … If the mere mention of the words “Thai” and “curry” have you salivating, I suggest you have a look at this gorgeous recipe for red coconut curry chicken with lemongrass and toasted sesame noodles over at our sister site, Foodal. You can find organic ‘Blue Lake’ bush bean seeds at True Leaf Market. I’ll try to remember to come back and report on how it went. Some of these links may be affiliate in nature, meaning we earn small commissions if items are purchased. The onion’s smell will help deter many pests that can eat or much on your cabbage plants, for instance, cabbage worms, Japanese beetles, aphids, and … Too much sunlight and hot summer temperatures are the plant’s biggest enemies, but if you have a long spring and fall season, you should be able to harvest biannually. Collards, a form of kale, feature rosettes of large, waxy leaves held on sturdy stems. Kale is considered a moderate to heavy nitrogen feeder. Product photos via Burpee, Eden Brothers, and True Leaf Market. Kale also doesn’t require nitrogen rich soil, another consideration when choosing companion plants for kale. You’ve made the smart decision to include kale (Brassica oleracea var. This doesn’t mean you can’t plant it with other heavy feeders, but if you do, make sure you add an extra source of nitrogen – such as well-rotted manure – to your soil. I make an exception for bunching onions, though. At this writing, I have kale tucked into a large decorative pot along with some grasses, a wallflower and some trailing lobelia. In my garden, kale is pretty indestructible and I direct sow it into pots on the deck so I can get at it quickly and easily. See our TOS for more details. Also, many plants grow well with kale – receiving and giving benefits to each other. This entry was posted in Companion Planting and tagged artichokes, brassicas, celery, chamomile, chives, companion planting, garlic, grapes, kale, mint, Nasturtiums, onions, radishes, rosemary, sage, strawberries, thyme, tomatoes on 3rd October 2019 by Steve Jones. And although you’ll want to leave some for the insects, of course you won’t want to go the whole summer without using some of this aromatic yourself. You’ll find both seeds and live plants available at Burpee. Onions, garlic and other onion-family plants also do well with celery and carrots because they repel insect pests that favor these vegetables. Interested in pursuing your education in all things kale a bit further? There are a number of veggies, herbs, and flowering plants that make great companion plants for kale. Avoid planting kale and its companion plants in areas where the soil remains muddy or where water forms puddles. While it grows without a lot of work, it’s not foolproof. While these plants are suitable for kale, some plants are detrimental to kale when planted alongside it. Some herbs also help by repelling pests. Many companion plants are beneficial for onions and vice versa, improving health, repelling harmful pests and diseases, as well as attracting beneficial insects. This is quite a low heat when you consider that the hottest peppers can reach into the millions! These are all things to consider when looking for plants that grow well with kale. This is an excellent article, however I’m confused about planting Kale and Pole Beans together. Kristina considers it a point of pride that she spends more money on seeds each year than she does on clothes. This wonderful herb acts as a repellent for certain pests. If you’ve ever grown dill before, you’ve probably seen wasps, hoverflies, and the like darting around it happily. This type of chart easily organizes the mind when designing a plant guild and forest garden — which is a different way of thinking about species cooperation as compared to companion planting. Many of these insects are pollinators as well, so try to think of them as beneficial buddies instead of tiny, heartless monsters. Love it or hate it, cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) attracts hoverflies (Syrphidae) and other beneficial insects, so it’s a great addition to your garden. These come in four different colors, or if you can’t decide, go for the variety mix, available at True Leaf Market. Onions will … One of my favorite tomato varieties is ‘Cherokee Purple,’ an heirloom with an unusual color. We’d love to hear about them here – and even better, we’d love to see them growing alongside your kale if you have photos to share. Dill is easy to grow from seed. Onions: Onions and other alliums repel a whole slew of pesky insects from your kale plants and the rest of the garden. Proper Spacing with Companion Planting. Read on to find out about kale companion planting. Carrots should be planted near onions because onions will repel the carrot fly. They provide excellent ground cover and attract predatory and parasitoid insects to naturally control pest populations like aphids. Kale is a type of cabbage that grows with green or purple leaves that do not form a head in the center. 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