5. Broccoli and Onions: The Scent Mask
Broccoli belongs to the brassica family, which attracts the notorious cabbage looper moth. Onions are excellent companions because their strong smell masks the scent of the broccoli, making it much harder for pests to find their target.
- Nutrient Tip: Onions have very different nutrient needs than broccoli, meaning they won’t “fight” over the same minerals in the potting mix.
6. Eggplant and Beans: The Nitrogen Boost
Eggplants are “heavy feeders” that require a lot of nitrogen to produce their purple fruit. Beans (especially bush varieties) are nitrogen-fixers, meaning they pull nitrogen from the air and deposit it into the soil through their roots.
- Synergy: The beans feed the eggplant, and the large leaves of the eggplant provide a bit of wind protection for the bean blossoms.
7. Cucumber and Dill: The Pollinator Magnet
Cucumbers rely heavily on bees and other pollinators to produce fruit. Dill is one of the best herbs for attracting predatory wasps and pollinators to your balcony or patio.
- Healthy Vines: Dill also helps deter cucumber beetles, which can spread wilt disease to your vines.
8. Spinach and Swiss Chard: The Leafy Layers
If you want a “salad bowl” pot that produces all season, pair spinach with Swiss chard.
- The Transition: Spinach thrives in the early spring but fades in the heat. Swiss chard is much more heat-tolerant. As the spinach is harvested and finishes its cycle, the chard will grow larger to fill the container, providing a continuous supply of greens from spring through autumn.
Three Tips for Success in Combined Pots
- Size Matters: Use a container at least 12 to 18 inches deep for these pairings to ensure root systems aren’t over-stressed.
- Feeding Schedule: Because you are growing two crops in one space, the soil will deplete faster. Use a liquid organic fertilizer every 2–3 weeks during the peak growing season.
- Watering: Grouping plants means more leaves losing water through transpiration. Check the soil daily; if the top inch is dry, it’s time to water.
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