Good and Bad Broccoli Companion Plants

While some plants can help enhance the growth of your broccoli, others can be bad for it.

This article will examine what grows well with broccoli and what to avoid planting near it.

Good Companion Plants for Broccoli

Below is a list of plants that can be planted next to broccoli.

1. Nasturtium

When planted between the rows of broccoli, the nasturtium will act as a living mulch, repel certain pests, and improve flavor. It’s also an excellent trap crop for aphids.

2. Onions

Onions may improve broccoli’s flavor and deter common garden pests like rabbits, aphids, mites, and cabbage loopers.

3. Peppermint

Set pots of peppermint near your broccoli plants, but not in with them. It’s too invasive and will take over.

Peppermint’s powerful aroma repels some harmful insects.

4. Marigolds

Another excellent choice is marigolds. When placed between rows of broccoli, these flowers will keep away many garden pests and even rabbits.

5. Dill, Rosemary, Thyme, and Sage

These plants are great companions. They act as natural bug repellents.

Moreover, some of these herbs will lure helpful insects to your garden.

6. Beets

These root vegetables make excellent companions for broccoli because they do not compete for nutrients. It’s a great way to use up all your garden space.

7. Celery

Celery is another plant that improves the flavor of broccoli.

8. Potatoes

Potatoes are heavy feeders and do not grow well with many other plants.

However, you can plant them near broccoli because they have different nutritional needs. They will not compete for nutrients.

9. Rosemary

Rosemary is another great repellent plant. It helps keep pests like cabbage moths and loopers away from broccoli.

10. Radishes

Radishes are shade-tolerant crops, like broccoli, that grow well in partial shade. They also do not take up much space.

What Not to Plant Next to Broccoli

When planting broccoli as a companion, there are a few crops to avoid planting near it. Some may hinder its growth, while others may encourage harmful insects.

1. Tomatoes

Broccoli is a cool-weather plant, whereas tomatoes are very much sun lovers. Therefore, if you grow these together, at the very least, your tomatoes will not thrive well in the cooler temperatures that broccoli loves.

Also, when tomatoes are planted in the cool, they are more susceptible to plant diseases that could infect your broccoli. Read: Companion Plants for Tomatoes: Good and Bad Companions.

2. Strawberries

Like tomatoes, strawberries love warmth and sunlight and need a lot of it, so they won’t do well in the cool air for broccoli, and vice versa.

Furthermore, strawberries tend to send out runner plants that may hinder the growth of broccoli plants.

3. Cabbage

Simply put, cabbages are big—they need plenty of room for their heads to spread out. They’ll also compete for water and nutrients and attract insect pests.

4. Cauliflower

Cauliflower has a bit of a, shall we say, reputation among farmers for being somewhat temperamental [1]. It’s very choosy about where it’s planted and how it’s nourished.

At first, it may seem like the perfect fit for its love of cooler temperatures. However, cauliflower is so fussy about its growing conditions that it almost needs to grow entirely by itself to be happy.

Moreover, both plants will compete for nutrients and water. Cauliflower will also attract insect pests that affect broccoli.

How to Grow Broccoli

This vegetable loves sunlight and thrives best in full sun. However, it needs to mature during cool periods. Therefore, plant it in spring or fall.

You’ll also want to give it slightly acidic soil that’s fertile, well-drained, and full of organic matter. Additionally, plant the seeds outdoors about half an inch deep and three inches apart. Water them well, too.

When the seedlings reach 2 to 3 inches tall, thin them so the plants have enough room to grow. Space them about 15 inches apart. The rows should also be about 36 inches apart.

Growth Rate

How long does broccoli take to grow? Planting seeds directly in the ground takes 80 to 100 days to mature, while transplants take 55 to 85 days.

Care and Maintenance

As mentioned, thin the plants once they reach two or three inches tall. Also, ensure the soil is moist, mainly if your area is prone to seasonal drought.

Applying 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week should make them happy. If your soil is starting to heat up, you can counter this with mulch.

This vegetable is interesting because it keeps growing after you harvest the main head. During the growing season, you can later pick smaller side shoots.

Pests and Diseases

Pests and diseases are every gardener’s nightmare. One pest, in particular, to watch out for is aphids. Spray a little soapy water on the sides of the leaves to discourage these little buggers.

Cabbage loopers, cabbage worms, clubroot disease, downy mildew, and damping-off are also big issues for broccoli.

Each region will have different plant pests and diseases to deal with. Therefore, research what might be common to protect your garden from these issues.

Harvesting

Harvest the main head when it stops growing. This is when the buds are tight and firm.

Also, if you notice that the plant starts to flower, harvest it immediately.

Don’t harvest the entire plant—cut the main bud and side shoots when they develop a dark green color. As the side shoots continue to sprout, you can expect about six harvests.

Where to Buy Seeds

You have a wide range of choices in search of a reputable seed dealer.

Many local farm and garden stores will carry the seeds. You can also look through online markets like SeedsNow.com for an even greater organic selection.

Takeaway

Growing broccoli is pretty straightforward, especially for beginner gardeners. Of all the growing challenges on your farm, this plant is among the least concerning.

Pay attention to its growing needs and companion plants; you will soon enjoy a great harvest.