Tomatoes hate Potatoes (but they love basil!) #companionplanting

True story! One of the first pitfalls I unknowingly fell into when I first started growing fruits and veggies is that certain plants don't do well next to each other.

There are many different reasons for this.

Certain plants attract pests, or repel pests.

Certain fruits and veggies are more susceptible to disease, mildew and fungus and planting these in close proximity to other plants that are susceptible will spread disease instead of containing it.

Some plants compete for root space and nutrients and others work together symbiotically and can actually increase the vigor and health of it's neighboring plants.

One of the first mistakes I made as a gardener, was growing melons, grapes and roses in the same area.

Grapes and roses are both susceptible to aphids, and all 3 are susceptible to powdery mildew.

Sure enough, once the weather turned hot enough and humid enough we got powdery mildew, and you guys- it wasn't pretty!

It killed my rose bushes except for one, maimed my melons, and decimated my grape harvest that year. #ouch

Talk about painful lessons. Here I am 3 years later and still treating my grape vines with copper and sulfur to keep the powdery mildew at bay. I learned the hard way that the spores can live on in the soil for years after and reoccur, so prevention is key!

When you see plants growing wild in nature, are they in nice, neat lines? #nope

Mimicking nature's growth patterns benefits our gardens.

If you have all your tomatoes in rows; you are basically inviting pests and disease in for an all you can eat buffet. #yummy

If your plantings are more sporadic and you utilize companion planting you can greatly minimize the spread of pests and disease.

Certain flowers are also beneficial in the garden because they attract pollinators.

Marigolds and nasturtiums are the two most popular flowers for this.

Interspersing these among your tomatoes, squash, melons, peas and cucumbers will increase your fruit harvest.

Nasturtiums are also edible, so you aren't wasting space by planting these.

So, lets get down to the nitty-gritty.

What exactly do you plant next to each other?

Which plants love each other and which plants hate each other? #lovehaterelationship

Which plants are beneficial in the garden because they naturally repel pests? #nopesticidehere

Here's the breakdown:

#Tomatoes: One of the easiest things to grow and one of the number one choices for gardeners, amateur and pro alike. Tomatoes are typically the first thing people try to grow, so this one deserves special attention. They can also be a bit finicky. The list of plants that tomatoes dislike is rather long compared to other commonly grown fruits and veggies.

Tomatoes HATE members of the curcurbit family. Cucumbers, Melons, Squash, Pumpkin, all a big, fat NO. Plant these far away. Planting these close together increase the chances for blossom end rot because these plants compete for calcium in the soil.

Tomatoes hate potatoes. They are both members of the nightshade family and will spread pest and disease problems like crazy if planted together. #notinmygarden

Tomatoes also don't get along with corn, broccoli, brussels-sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and kale!

Tomatoes absolutely adore carrots and basil. They do better when planted in close proximity and basil can actually enhance/lend flavor to your tomatoes.

Carrots, dill, parsley and parsnips are all known to attract beneficial insects which pray on damaging pests. Planting these close to your tomatoes will protect them. Ladybugs, praying mantises and spiders are all beneficial in your garden. Many garden centers and nurseries will sell you live ladybugs for this reason!

#Peppers: Peppers are super popular to grow as well, because who doesn't love a crisp bell in a salad, a sweet roasted pepper off the grill or a yummy salsa or guacamole?!

Spoiler alert: If you don't- we can't be friends! #ilovemexicanfood

Peppers do well next to tomatoes, onions, cilantro (coriander), basil and spinach!

Peppers don't mind most other plants.

Just keep them far #faraway from beans and kohlrabi!!

#Peas: Peas are simple and sweet to grow and eat. I love them raw right off the vine! #yum

They grow quickly and easily and will provide you with fresh peas all season long!

Peas are pretty easy in terms of growing restrictions, just don't put them next to onions!

#SaladGreens: The typically do well as long as nitrogen is present in the soil, you can plant them almost anywhere.

Just keep them far away from #broccoli

This goes for all salad greens including #lettuce and #cabbage.

Cabbage itself is a little more finicky and should be kept away from cauliflower, strawberries and tomatoes in addition to broccoli!

#Beans: Beans are pretty easy to grow, just give them a trellis and watch them go nuts! There are a few plants that they should be kept away from though!

Beans don't like garlic, onions, peppers or sunflowers! Otherwise you're good to go!

#Corn: Who doesn't love corn?!? If you don't- you might be an alien, lol.

Corn is easy to grow, and it grows FAST (don't forget it basically goes from a kernal to a plant 6'+ tall in a season)! Because of it's size a lot of people are limited in growing it in their home gardens, but it is doable!

The only thing you want to keep corn away from is tomatoes! They don't like each other. Pretty much anything else is a go though! #keepinitsimple

#Cucumbers: As we know, cucumbers are part of the curcurbit family and need to be grown away from other members of this family.

Keep it away from melons, squash, pumpkin etc so they don't spread disease.

They're also not a fan of members of the nightshade family, so no tomatoes or potatoes nearby!

Cucumbers don't like aromatic herbs either, so keep these separate as well!

#Onions: Onions are surprisingly easy to grow and can overwinter in your garden. They also make surprisingly pretty flowers! #bonus

Keep onions away from beans, peas and sage. Other than that- you're in the clear!

#Carrots: Carrots are fun to grow, just don't expect them to look like the ones in the store!

They come in all kinds of fun colors, red, purple and white- in addition to the orange you're used to!

If your soil has pebbles or rocks in it, your carrots may fork off, create twins, or twist and turn where it meets an obstacle. It obviously doesn't affect the taste in any way, just makes for some funky looking produce!

Carrots love growing next to beans, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, rosemary and sage.

Avoid planting your carrots near dill, anise or parsley!

#Radishes: Radishes are oddly similar to peppers in that they love and hate the exact same plants!

Keep radishes close to basil, coriander, onions, spinach and tomatoes.

Avoid planting them in the vicinity of beans and kohlrabi.