Designing a thriving raised bed garden can be both art and science. Companion planting is a time-tested method that helps maximize space, protect plants, and encourage better harvests. Here are ten layout ideas that make your garden work smarter, not harder.
1. Tomato & Basil Bed: The classic duo—basil repels pests and enhances tomato flavor. Add marigolds around the edges to deter nematodes and brighten up the layout.
2. Carrots with Onions: Onions mask the scent of carrots, confusing carrot flies. Their alternating rows look tidy and make weeding simpler.
3. Lettuce under Corn: Use corn’s tall stalks to shade lettuce during summer heat. This layering approach uses vertical space efficiently.
4. Strawberries & Spinach: Strawberry plants spread horizontally while spinach grows quickly upward, forming a green carpet that conserves moisture.
5. Peppers with Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums attract aphids away from peppers and introduce lovely blooms to your garden structure.
6. Beans & Beets: Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, feeding beets naturally. Plant in offset rows to ensure each receives full sun.
7. Cucumbers with Radishes: Radishes grow fast, breaking up the soil before cucumbers start to sprawl. Add dill nearby to attract pollinators.
8. Kale & Herbs: Pair kale with aromatic herbs like thyme or rosemary. Their scents can deter insects that target brassicas.
9. Garlic Border: Create a protective perimeter of garlic around your bed. It repels pests and looks neat as a natural edging.
10. Pollinator Corner: Dedicate one corner to flowers like calendula, zinnias, and lavender. Their color and nectar will invite bees essential for good harvests.
Thoughtful companion layouts encourage balance, reduce maintenance, and transform your raised beds into flourishing, self-sustaining mini-ecosystems. Experiment, observe, and refine each season—your garden will reward you in abundance.
