Planting a gardenis a great way get some fresh air andgrow your own food—and absolutely nothing (and we meannothing) tastes better than a tomato fresh off the vine. But byplanting tomatoeswith other companion plants, you may be able to improve your harvest. The idea of companion planting is part folklore, part science, but it’s based on the theory that certain plants may help each other absorb nutrients better, keep bugs away or attractbeneficial pollinatorsand parasitoids, a type of insect which attack vegetable pests and provide natural pest control. ( Research has shown that by attracting beneficial insects such asgreen lacewings and ladybird beetles, you may be able to control aphidsin your garden.)
There’s also some folklore that advises whatnotto plant with tomatoes. Granted, there’s limited research, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to plant these edible and ornamental plants astomato companionsin your garden. Whether some companion plant pairings are fact or fiction, at the very least they’ll support pollinators andadd beautyto your garden. Even if there’s not a ton of science behind every recommendation, try them and see what works. After all, experimentation is half thefun of gardening!