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How to Use Lettuce in Companion Planting

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Lettuce can be used in a companion planting scheme in your organic garden. One reason to use it is to prolong the growing season of this cool weather crop, maybe it was planted later than it should have been? Although there are many varieties, they all have a couple things in commen. They thrive in cool weather and only require about 5 hours of sun a day. They prefer soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.5. These shallow rooting vegetable plants are not heavy feeders. They require protection from harsh winds and overbearing sunlight.

Things You Will Need

Lettuce

Garden gloves

Garden hose

Garden Spade

Plant lettuce with strawberries, cucumber, beans, carrots and beets for mutual benefits. Lettuce will receive needed shade from the glare of the sun. The beneficial insects these plants attract-such as predatory wasps and flies-will assist in controlling destructive pests. The prickly vines of cucumber will help with slug control for lettuce in an organic garden.

Other good companion plants for these leafy greens are onion, leek, chives and garlic. These will help increase disease resistance and common garden pest deterrence.

Plant lettuce with herbs such as lemon balm, mint, hyssop and sage to repel slugs.

Anise, lovage and borage all increase its disease resistance.

Grow chervil with it to organically promote its growth and flavor.

Lettuce is one of few plants that get along with Dill. The herb will provide shade and attract beneficial predatory insects.

Plant marigold, geranium, petunia and nasturtium with lettuce. In companion planting techniques, these flowers deter pests both above and below ground. The pests they repel include root maggots, nematodes, aphids, slugs and a variety of leaf hoppers.

Plant cabbage far away from it. The cabbage attracts pests to greens and interfere with their growth and flavor.

Don't plant lettuce with celery or parsley in the organic garden because they will also attract damaging pests.