How to Use Broccoli in Companion Planting

DebDavies | Jan 31, 2012 |

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Even if you don't want to eat your broccoli, you can grow it in the home organic garden and use it with the companion planting technique. In companion planting, broccoli benefits many plants and benefits from even more. It can also be added to compost.This cool-weather vegetable requires rich, well-draining soil and good air circulation. Keep in mind it can grow up to 3-feet tall. It prefers full sun but tolerates light shade. While it happiest in soil with a pH level of 7.0, it does well with levels ranging from 6.2-7.2.

Things You Will Need

Broccoli
Garden gloves
Garden spade
Garden hose

Plant it near rhubarb, broccoli is a good companion for it-it will increase the growth of the rhubarb.

Plant broccoli near onions, leeks, garlic and chives. These plants deter slugs, cabbage worms, aphids and other general garden pests that will harm the vegetable. It attracts Japanese beetles, cabbage worms and leafhoppers so make sure to plant with companions that deter these pests and attract the beneficial insect that feed off of them.

Plant this vegetable with all herbs except for rue and fennel. Herbs play a vital role in organic gardening, they repel many pests, stimulate growth of other plants and enhance flavors of vegetables. Good companion plants for broccoli are rosemary, sage, parsley, thyme, chamomile, oregano, chervil, yarrow, tarragon, hyssop, borage and lovage among many others.

Some flowers also make good companion plants for broccoli. Geraniums, Chrysanthemums and Petunias trap Japanese beetles, deter other beetles and cabbage worms. Marigold and Chrysanthemums repel nematodes. Allysum harbors beneficial ground beetles, attracts hover flies that feed on aphids and acts as a living mulch by shading soil.

It should be kept away from tomatoes, peppers, radish and strawberries. It harms their growth and attracts pests of these plants.

Disease free leftover plants can be added to compost after harvesting. They add to the green material content of compost.