Benefits of Companion Planting
If you want an organic garden that grows healthy, firm eggplants without using chemicals and pesticides, then companion planting is the answer. Many plants produce natural substances in their flowers, roots or foliage that attract beneficial insects, and discourage harmful ones.
The benefits of companion planting include:
- Pest control
- Plant support
- Nitrogen
- Added nutrients
- Water conservation
- Balanced eco-system
- Increased harvest yield
Best Companions for Eggplants
When choosing your companion plants, pick ones that are native to your area for the best results. You also want to select ones that are beneficial to your eggplants.
Peas and Legumes
Planting peas and legumes near eggplants add nitrogen to the soil, which is a natural fertilizer .
When trellising peas or beans, make sure you plant your eggplants in the front of them, so they won’t be shaded. Eggplants need full sun most of the day to thrive.
Bush Beans
These beans are an insect deterrent, especially for the Colorado potato beetle, which also attacks eggplants.
Garlic and Onions
Snails, slugs and white flies dislike garlic and onions, so these are good choices as companion plants for your eggplants.
Other Vegetables
The following mixed vegetables also grow well with eggplants, making them suitable as companion plants:
- Lettuce
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Peppers
Herbs
Many herbs ward off insects, such as thyme, which repels garden moths. French tarragon also repels insects. Flea beetles cause shotgun-type holes in the eggplant’s foliage, but you can repel them by planting catnip, peppermint and spearmint. Both basil and rosemary ward off slugs and snails that chew holes in leaves and young plant stems.
Flowers
The best flowers to plant with eggplants are marigolds. They not only repel flea beetles, but they discourage leaf-eating animals, such as rabbits from stripping your plants. Nasturtiums also enhance eggplants by attracting bees that pollinate the eggplants.
If you’re ready to plant a kitchen garden that include mixed vegetables, flowers and herbs that use nature to grow an organic garden, then experiment with a variety of companion plants. See which ones add the most benefits to your eggplants.
