Kale has gained notoriety as a superfood that is full of nutrients and healthy benefits. Kale can be fun and easy to grow. They range in size from tall lacinato kale to loosely bundled frizzy varieties. It can be grown in extremely hot and extremely cold environments, which makes it a universally good plant. Let's talk more about planting kale companions to make it grow well.
Companion plants for kale are any plants that grow well near kale. They can offer many benefits including attracting beneficial pollinators and insects, repelling pests, adding certain nutrients to the soil, promoting better taste, and providing ground cover and shade. You should strategically choose kale companion plants for benefits.
Kale is fluffy and will get along with most of the plants that grow nearby. Let's talk more about which plants to choose or avoid placing near your kale!
What is companion planting?
Flowers, herbs and lots of vegetables are good companion plants for kale. Source: Rocor
Planting companions is more than just ancient wisdom. Combined with modern science, companion planting can help you strategically place plants in your garden for the most useful results. For example, highly fragrant plants like herbs can attract beneficial pollinators or repel harmful pests. Some accompanying plants release chemicals into the soil that make their neighbors taste better.
Other plants can be used as companions by serving a purpose such as: B. a ground cover. Plants with extensive growth can be used as ground cover to maintain soil moisture, regulate temperatures and suppress the germination of weeds. This also allows the vegetables full access to soil nutrients instead of struggling with weeds. Other larger plants can be used to provide shade for delicate plants or serve as grids for grape varieties.
Finally, companion plants can be used as row markers for slower growing varieties. If you have a slow sprouting corn, you can plant pumpkin in the area to remind yourself that you've already planted this bed so you don't accidentally replant it.
Good kale companion plants
Now let's talk about which plants are good companion plants for kale!
First, there are herbs that can improve the taste of kale and protect it from pests. coriander makes a great kale companion plant because it attracts beneficial insects like hover flies. Hoverflies hunt pests like aphids that will eat your kale if not controlled. If aphids are a problem with your kale plants, grow them too Sweet AlyssumThis is a flower that grows well and attracts hoverflies that feed on aphids.
dill and Catnip are also excellent kale companion plants because they attract pollinators that increase growth. Dill and catnip attract beneficial insects that hunt kale pests. Like strongly fragrant herbs Lemongrass can deter pests such as tobacco worms that attack kale. mint, rosemary, and sage are also aromatic herbs that can repel pests when planted near kale.
Flowers can also be planted as companion plants to kale for numerous benefits. They are some of the best companion plants in your vegetable garden. Marigolds Attract hover flies and help them find the aphids that they feed on, which helps keep their populations under control. If cabbage grinders don't stop eating your kale, you will grow Nasturtiums nearby. Nasturtium is a common "trap fruit" that many pests find attractive, and its leaves and flowers can be sacrificed in place of your vegetables. Hyssop is an excellent pollinator attractor and can attract beneficial insects that aid the growth of kale. Highly scented flowers can also deter pests, making them the best companion plants to grow in the garden.
Lacinato kale grows large and can provide shade to other greens. Source: bklynphoto2020
Allien are some of the best companion plants to grow near kale. The Allium family includes plants such as garlic, chives, Shallots, leek, and Onions. Members of the Allium family can deter common pests with their strong odor and the oils they produce, as well as repelling kale pests such as flea beetles, cabbage grinders, and aphids. Garlic has many gardening uses as well as a variety of health benefits. Garlic grows well in climates with a cool rest period, and since kale can taste sweeter after frost, it goes well with a kale companion plant. You can also try growing onions near kale, either from seeds or from scratch.
Legume family members are very useful for growing near kale. This contains Pole Beans and bush Beans. Beans can process nitrogen from the air and convert it in the soil to nitrogen that is readily available to promote growth, including the green leaves that kale is valued for. Because kale is a green and heavy nitrogen supply, bush and runner beans are excellent choices for kale companion planting. For runner beans, be sure to trellis them in a direction that won't shade your kale. For French beans, consider ripe height and spacing when placing them near your kale. Other legumes like Peas and lenses can also fix nitrogen and is beneficial when grown near kale. With peas, keep the same considerations in mind as you would with runner beans and plan on trellising them in a direction that will give your kale full sun.
Root crops also go well with kale, as root crops are plants that grow underground and kale is a leafy green that grows primarily above ground. For example, Beets goes well with kale and maximizes your growing space. radish Can also be grown around kale for a quick and easy harvest that maximizes space and doesn't overcrowd the kale plants.
You may also want to plant companion plants that near kale can provide ground cover that will prevent weed growth, retain soil moisture, and help regulate soil temperature extremely well. If you want to grow cover crops near kale, consider this Buckwheat, which traps soil moisture, suffocates weeds, attracts beneficial insects, and adds nitrogen to the soil. Cucumbers are another excellent ground cover. As they spread around your yard, they cool the soil and suppress weeds. Other excellent kale companion plants include a variety of tasty vegetables. You can safely plant other leafy vegetables like salad, celery, spinach, or Swiss Swiss chardall of which belong to different families so they won't attract the same pests as kale, which is part of the Brassicaceae family.
pepper don't compete with kale for nitrogen so they can make a good companion. Make sure the pepper plants have full-size space, and keep in mind that they can become perennials in warmer climates. Potatoes, Members of the nightshade family with peppers can also make great companions for kale, but they may not be the best choices overall. You should be careful not to displace kale or rob the soil of its fertility. If you take care of your soil health by adding plenty of organic matter, including well-aged compost, you should be able to safely grow these nightshade companions around kale.
Now let's talk about which plants to avoid for planting kale companions, and why they might slow growth or otherwise stunt your kale.
What not to plant with kale
The curled leaves of kale grow well with many plants. Source: cousin
Avoid planting Strawberries near kale or any other member of the Brassica family. Strawberries hinder the growth of brassicas, including kale and cabbage. To give your kale the best chance to grow, keep strawberries at least three feet away.
tomatoes are sometimes listed as good companions for kale because they are part of the nightshade family that are considered suitable companions for kale. Tomatoes grow much larger than other members of the nightshade family and require significantly more nutrients. Tomatoes can grow over 4 feet tall and several feet wide, depending on the variety, so they can shade kale plants in the vegetable garden or severely affect soil nutrition. If you want to be sure, plant tomatoes farther away from the kale so they don't compete for nutrients in the soil, growing space, or even sunlight.
You should also avoid planting kale around other members of the Brassica family. Keep vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, Cabbage, the Brussels sprouts, Bok Choy, and Collards away from kale. Growing Brassica plants encourage pests that attack one plant species to attack the other Brassica as well. These plants will not harm each other if they grow nearby. However, try to place them in the garden to reduce the chances of a major pest invasion destroying them all at once.
frequently asked Questions
Q: Can you plant kale and broccoli together?
A: Yes, but you should place them as far apart as possible as they are both members of the Brassica family and attract the same pests. The closer they are to each other, the greater the risk that a pest infestation will affect more than one type of vegetable.
Q: Can lettuce and kale be planted together?
A: Yes! Lettuce is a great kale companion plant that doesn't compete for nutrients. Kale can even be grown to shade more delicate types of lettuce in hot weather.
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