Maximize your garden space by companion planting radish!
Radishes are often the go-to crop for gardeners, especially for beginners because they’re incredibly easy to grow and are ready for harvest in no time. But there’s more to radishes than just being a quick and simple crop—they’re also perfect for companion planting! Because radishes are small and take up little space in the garden, they’re ideal for interplanting with a variety of other crops, helping you maximize your garden’s potential.
In this article, we’ll explore the different crops that pair well with radishes and the benefits of growing them together. Stay tuned till the very end to find out which plants you should avoid companion planting with radish!
Tips on growing radishes
Radishes grow best in cool weather, so it’s ideal to plant them in the spring or fall when temperatures are moderate. They don’t do well in hot summer weather but still need at least six hours of sunlight every day and should not be shaded by taller plants. When fertilizing, avoid nitrogen-heavy options, as these can cause excessive leaf growth and smaller roots. It’s also important to have consistently moist soil for the healthy growth of radishes.
Table of Contents
The Best Companion Plants for Radish
1. Leafy Greens
Leafy greens such as lettuce, spinach, arugula, and Swiss chard make excellent companion plants for radishes. All of these crops thrive in cool weather and share similar growing conditions, making them a perfect match in the garden. Since leafy greens and radishes are roughly the same height, they won’t overshadow each other, ensuring both get the sunlight they need. Furthermore, radishes serve as a natural trap crop, luring pests to their leaves and away from your leafy greens so that you can have a better harvest!
2. Peas
Peas make a wonderful companion for radishes due to their climbing habit. While peas grow vertically, radishes stay low to the ground, allowing both plants to thrive without competing for space. As cool-season crops, they share similar growing conditions, making them ideal partners in the garden. Additionally, peas can enrich the soil with some amount of nitrogen, benefitting the radishes and other nearby plants.
3. Beetroot
Planting radishes alongside beetroots has several benefits, especially in loosening compacted soil. Radishes grow quickly and help break up dense soil, creating a better environment for young beet seedlings. When you plant radish and beet seeds at the same time, the radishes can be harvested early, which then frees up space for the beets to grow. It’s important to give your beets and radishes enough room to grow by properly spacing them out when planting, so they don’t end up competing for resources.
4. Herbs
Herbs like dill, oregano, mint, sage, and rosemary are great companions for radishes due to their strong, aromatic scents that naturally repel common pests like cabbage moths, aphids, and spider mites. These herbs not only protect your radishes from harmful insects but also attract beneficial pollinators such as ladybugs and parasitic wasps, which can help control other garden pests.
Many of these herbs thrive in similar conditions as radishes, making them easy to grow alongside while enhancing the overall health and biodiversity of your garden!
5. Marigolds, Nasturtiums, and Calendula
Marigolds, nasturtiums, and calendula are all fantastic companion plants for radishes, thanks to their vibrant flowers and natural pest-repelling properties. Marigolds release a chemical called thiophene, which deters nematodes and other soil-borne pests that can damage radish roots.
Nasturtiums serve as a trap crop luring aphids and other harmful insects away from your radishes, while their bright blooms attract beneficial insects like hoverflies. Calendulas also act as traps crops, drawing aphids, whiteflies, and thrips away from your radishes.
Together, these flowers not only safeguard your radishes but also add a splash of bright color to your garden. The best part is that all three of these flowers are edible and can be used to make teas and dyes.
6. Chervil (French Parsley)
Chervil, an herb that’s a lot like parsley, is a perfect match for radishes. It not only improves their flavor and texture but also loves the same growing conditions. Plus, chervil helps keep aphids away.
7. Alliums
Radish does amazing when interplanted with plants from the allium family such as garlic, chives, onions, leeks, and shallots. They help keep pests such as cabbage worms, Japanese beetles, and slugs away from your radishes. Since radishes mature quickly, they can be pulled out early so that there is enough space for your alliums to mature.
8. Cucumbers, Squash, and Zucchini
Protect your cucumber, squash, and zucchini plants from destructive pests like cucumber beetles and squash bugs by planting them alongside radishes. Radishes are known to repel these pests, which can otherwise wreak havoc on your crop. Additionally, as radishes grow, they help break up and aerate the soil, allowing the roots of your vining plants to grow deeply.
9. Nightshades
Plants from the nightshade family such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants can also be great companion plants for radishes. Since nightshades take longer to grow and mature, radishes can be interplanted at their base, making efficient use of garden space. The radishes will help deter pests that might otherwise target young nightshades. Once the radishes mature and the weather warms up, you can harvest them, freeing up space for your nightshades to continue growing.
Companion Plants to Avoid
Brassicas
When planning your garden, it’s a good idea to keep radishes away from brassicas like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Radishes can attract pesky flea beetles that love munching on brassica leaves, causing serious damage. Brassicas should also be avoided as they release chemicals that might stunt your radishes’ growth, making it difficult for them to thrive. So it’s best to give these two crops their own garden space!
Hyssop
Hyssop is a flowering shrub from the mint family. Though its blooms are beautiful and will attract lots of pollinators, hyssop can inhibit the growth of radish due to its allelopathic properties.
FAQ
What pests do radishes repel?
Radishes can help repel pests like cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and aphids. Their strong scent makes them effective at deterring these common garden pests
Are kale and radishes companion plants?
Yes, kale and radishes are great companion plants. Both thrive in cool weather and similar soil conditions. Radishes grow quickly, allowing kale more space and time to mature.
Can radishes act as a cover crop?
Yes, radish can serve as a cover crop. They help improve soil structure by breaking up compacted soil with their roots and reducing weed growth.
How much room do radishes need to grow?
Radishes don’t take up much space in the garden. Plant them about 2 inches (5cm) apart and leave about 6-12 inches (15-30cm) between rows. This spacing allows for proper root development and air circulation.
Can I plant radishes next to carrots?
Yes, radishes can be planted next to carrots. Radishes grow quickly and can be harvested before the carrots start to mature. Just make sure to space the seeds properly so that the young carrots won’t be shaded out by the foliage of the radishes.
