How to Use Cabbage in Companion Planting

DebDavies | Jan 31, 2012 |

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Cabbage can be used as a companion plant in the organic garden. Cabbage helps, and is helped by, a number of other vegetables, herbs and flowers. While being a good companion plant for some, there are some plants that it is not a good companion to.This cool-weather vegetable needs a little shade to be happy. Cabbage are heavy feeders, be sure to side dress them with compost often.

Things You Will Need

Cabbage
Garden gloves
Garden spade
Garden hose

Plant it as a companion for both chard and spinach. As it grows, it will provide these plants with enough shade that they won't scorch.

Rhubarb will thrive if this member of the brassica family is planted nearby.

Plant it as a companion to onions, leeks, garlic and chives. These plants deter slugs, cabbage worms, and other general garden pests.

Plant Chamomile, celery and clover nearby to improve the overall health and flavor of cabbage. Most herbs are good companions because they attract beneficial insects or improve the growth and taste of this vegetable.

Do not plant it near rue or dill as these herbs can attract harmful pests. Mustard, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, grapes, strawberries and all beans should also be avoided. These plants also attract harmful pests, the beans provide too much nitrogen and the cabbage will interfere with the growth of the other plants.

Plant it in and around flower beds. Companion flowers for this vegetable plant are Geraniums, Chrysanthemums and Petunias. They all trap Japanese beetles and cabbage worms.

Marigold and Chrysanthemums repel harmful nematodes in the soil.

Allysum planted around this vegetable will shade the soil, attract hover flies and beneficial ground beetles.

After the cabbage has been harvested, the leaves of the plant can be added to compost-as long as they are disease free.