What to Plant With Spinach

Spinach is one of the healthiest vegetables on the planet, and it has become a staple in vegetable gardens. If you want to maximize the growth of your spinach, you should consider pairing it with certain plants. By choosing companion plants, you can reduce the chance of pests and boost the crop’s yield.

Asparagus

If you want to plant your asparagus next to a variety of other vegetables, you should be careful to choose the right companion plants for them. For starters, you should not plant asparagus next to any plant that contains onion or garlic. The two vegetables tend to share some of the same nutrients. However, it is not recommended to plant them next to one another.

Plant asparagus about six to eight inches deep in a garden. It is also important to plant asparagus in a trellised bed as asparagus has a very deep root system. In addition, you can use marigolds, which repels bad bugs and attracts beneficial ones. Moreover, marigolds are good companion plants for asparagus because they prevent nematodes from attacking your crops.

Garlic

When choosing which plants to plant in your garden, consider pairing them with garlic. The two species share mutual benefits, including soil fertility and pest deterrence. Garlic also repels rabbits and deer. It’s a versatile plant, which will thrive in any soil type and full sunlight.

Garlic is a great companion for your spinach, as it repels many insects, and its sulfur can help your plants resist disease. Unlike most companions, garlic and spinach do not compete for nutrients, so growing them together will provide excellent protection for your plants. Interplanting your spinach and garlic will save you time, effort, and space. In addition, spinach plants can act as weed barriers.

You can also plant spinach and carrots in your garden, but it will be too late to sow tomatoes and tomato plants. However, you can still plant spinach, beetroot, and some brassicas during this time. You can also plant garlic in pots, and wait until the first frosts to plant them.

Marigold

Marigolds are drought-tolerant and can grow in hot, sunny weather. They do not have a particular preference for soil type, but they do need well-drained soil. They are versatile, ranging from petite 6-inch (15-cm) varieties to 3-foot (1-m) African marigolds. If you plan to grow marigolds, plant them in a container, or in your garden, where they will get plenty of sun. If possible, choose complementary colors.

Marigolds attract beneficial insects. They will naturally repel aphids, which will in turn protect your spinach leaves. Their strong aroma will also deter harmful insects. This makes them an excellent choice for companion planting. The flowers of marigolds are edible and can be used for garnishing foods. They are also used to treat inflammation and stomach aches. You can even make your own medicinal ointment with the petals.

Strawberries

There are numerous benefits to planting mint in your garden, which can be used for its sweet flavor as well as its pungent smell. Since mint spreads quickly, it is best to keep it contained around your strawberry plants to avoid competing with them. It also helps repel pesky insects like aphids and mites. It is also an excellent deterrent to whiteflies. It can also help keep weeds at bay.

Strawberry spinach can be grown as a vegetable in your garden. The leaves of this plant can be used raw in salads or cooked into nourishing soups. It is difficult to transplant this plant because it has a long taproot, so it is best to plant it where you plan to harvest the fruit.

Leeks

Leeks and spinach are a great inter-planting combination. The two are complementary in many ways, including their soil requirements, pest resistance, and flavor. Leeks are also a good choice for small gardens, since they grow very quickly and don’t require much space. They also prefer full sun and a well-drained soil.

Planting these plants close together is also a good idea because both produce a high yield. They are good companions because they both benefit from the different levels of nitrogen in the soil. Leeks also produce antibacterial substances, so they will help prevent bacterial infections that can harm spinach. Inoculating seeds will also increase yields.

Leeks are also great companions for other vegetables. They repel pests and prevent populations of predatory insects that may harm other plants. They can also help prevent fungal diseases such as apple scab. They also repel slugs and mites.

Onions

One of the best ways to get the most out of your garden is to plant vegetables that grow well together. Planting vegetables with one another can provide many benefits, including deterring pests and diseases and attracting beneficial insects to your garden. Not only can this method help you increase the production of your vegetables, but it’s also one of the easiest organic gardening practices.

Onions can be a wonderful companion plant to many vegetables, including lettuce, strawberries, bell peppers, and jalapenos. The strong scent of onions will deter many pests, including aphids that can wreak havoc on a strawberry crop. Onions can also be planted near tomato plants to improve the flavor of tomatoes.

Nightshade plants

Nightshade plants are a good companion for spinach, as they provide a lot of nutrition and shade. These plants are also great for controlling weeds around the base of the spinach plant. They are typically grown in containers, and can help to extend the growing season of the spinach.

Nightshade plants should be chosen with caution, as they are often confused with nightshade vegetables. While they are full of antioxidants, nightshade vegetables can cause systemic damage to the body if eaten in large quantities. Europeans called eggplant “mala-insane” when they first discovered it.

Peppers can make great companions. Because they prefer similar growing conditions, they will crowd out weeds and provide shade. These plants can also benefit from the presence of a few flowers. Not only do flowers add vibrant color, they also attract pollinators and repel pests.

Cosmos

Cosmos are bright, open-faced annual flowers that attract beneficial predatory insects. They range in color from yellow to orange, white, pink, and purple. Their flowers are great for cut flowers and make lovely additions to indoor arrangements. Cosmos are easy to grow and will grow to a height of about knee-to-shoulder. Their stems are slender and the leaves have fern-like texture. Cosmos can be planted alone or in groups.

Cosmos are easy to grow from seed and require very little attention once they get established. Cosmos do well in full sun or partial shade, and can be planted between rows of vegetables. Cosmos likes rich, moist soil that has adequate drainage. To improve drainage, you can add coarse sand or fine pumice to the soil. Cosmos are best planted in early Spring. Plant seeds in a punnet filled with seed compost, and thin the seedlings after germination.

Zinnias

When you’re looking for a flower garden plant that pairs well with spinach, you’ll want to try zinnias. These blooming annuals grow well in full sun and a moderately fertile soil. They’re not tolerant of too much water, so they’re best planted outside in the spring or after cooler nights.

Before planting zinnias, make sure the soil is prepared well. Zinnias like a well-drained soil, so be sure to work compost into the soil before planting. When planting them, make sure to leave plenty of space between each flower, as the zinnias need ample air flow around their mature blooms to avoid disease.

Plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep in the ground. Once they’ve germinated, thin them to a distance of at least one foot between each. After about four to seven days, you’ll notice seedlings in the soil. The flowers should begin blooming in two months.

Cosmos attract aphids

Unfortunately, some cosmos varieties attract aphids when planted with leafy greens such as spinach. Fortunately, there are many effective ways to combat this problem. Home remedies that don’t cause harm to the plants can help prevent infestations and help you avoid paying for costly pesticides. These natural remedies include applying neem oil to the leaves of the plants or combining it with water in a garden sprayer. You should apply this mixture on the affected plants in the morning and evening to kill the aphids. You should remember that this solution doesn’t kill the beneficial insects that aphids might attract, which are also beneficial to your plants.

If you want to avoid aphids from attacking your spinach and other plants, try growing a decoy plant with your cosmos. This is a great way to protect prized roses from being eaten by aphids. However, you need to be careful about what you plant with your cosmos. It’s not advisable to use granular fertilizers on your cosmos, because the granules can burn the foliage. Also, use slow-release fertilizers in small amounts and do not fertilize your cosmos too often, or you’ll end up with a damaged plant.