17 Best Beet Companion Plants For Bigger Roots & Higher Yields
Interplanting with neighbors enriches soil, deters pests, and boosts harvest quality.
17 Best Beet Companion Plants: Boost Beet Health & Yield
Companion planting is a time-honored gardening technique that involves arranging compatible crops together to maximize productivity, reduce pest issues, and improve soil fertility. For beets, choosing the right neighbors can spell the difference between a productive patch and a lackluster harvest. This guide explores the best beet companions, why they work, which plants to avoid, and practical tips for a thriving beet bed.
What is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is the strategic placement of different plant species near each other for mutual benefit. Some combinations attract beneficial insects, enhance flavor, suppress weeds, improve nutrient availability, or deter pests. For gardeners prioritizing organic and sustainable practices, companion planting is an essential tool to create resilient and healthy ecosystems in vegetable gardens.
Why Use Companion Plants with Beets?
Beets (Beta vulgaris) are versatile root vegetables, but like any crop, they face threats from pests, weeds, and nutrient deficiencies. Smart companion planting can:
- Improve soil structure and nutrient cycling by maximizing crop diversity and root architecture.
- Repel common pests such as aphids, leaf miners, and nematodes, reducing reliance on pesticides.
- Enhance beet growth by providing shade, breaking up soil, or supplementing nutrients.
- Reduce competition for resources by pairing crops with different growth habits or water needs.
17 Best Companion Plants for Beets
The following are the top plants to grow alongside beets, each offering unique benefits for pest deterrence, soil enrichment, or space optimization.
1. Beans
Beans are a classic companion for beets. As legumes, they fix nitrogen from the air, enriching the soil for future crops. Nitrogen is vital for leafy growth, and while beets are root crops, moderate nitrogen helps develop healthy tops for photosynthesis.
Key benefits:
- Fix nitrogen, helping replenish soil fertility.
- Do not compete heavily for root space.
- Compatible watering requirements.
2. Cabbage
Cabbage and other brassicas benefit from beets’ soil-loosening action. In return, beets do not compete strongly with cabbage for similar nutrients, except calcium, which both may crave.
Tips:
- Both crops need full sun and even watering.
- Rotate to avoid depleting calcium.
3. Catnip
Catnip, while best known for attracting feline friends, deters miceâa common beet pest. Mice dislike the scent and are less likely to attack beet roots when catnip is nearby.
Considerations:
- Catnip is drought-tolerant and may need less water than beets. Consider growing in containers near your beets or at the edge of raised beds where soil dries faster.
4. Onions
Onions emit sulfur compounds that repel beet pests such as aphids, leaf miners, and nematodes. Their upright growth habit allows close planting without shading or crowding beet roots.
Planting notes:
- Alternate rows of onions and beets for maximum pest deterrence.
- Space 4-6 inches apart to minimize competition.
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5. Lettuce
Lettuce provides excellent ground cover, suppressing weeds and retaining soil moisture. Beets, with their deeper roots, help aerate the soil, which is beneficial for shallow-rooted lettuces.
Benefits:
- Lettuce matures quickly, allowing succession planting before beets reach full size.
- Harvest lettuce early to avoid competition.
6. Garlic
Garlic wards off pests like aphids, armyworms, and slugs with its pungent aroma. Some gardeners believe beets grown near garlic taste better and grow more vigorously.
Suggestions:
- Stagger rows of garlic and beets for integrated pest control.
- Allow ample space for bulb development.
7. Chives
Chives share pest-repellent qualities with onions and garlic, but take up less space. They attract beneficial insects and can be used along the border of beet beds.
8. Oregano
Oregano and other Mediterranean herbs (see below) act as living mulches, sheltering beet roots and repelling some pests via aromatic oils.
9. Rosemary
Rosemary is drought-tolerant and similarly deters insect pests. Plant around the perimeter; it does not compete heavily for nutrients or moisture.
10. Sage
Sage can improve the garden microclimate, deter pests, and attract pollinators when in flower.
11. Thyme
Thyme functions as a pollinator magnet and repels pest insects. Use as a low-growing border herb.
12. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums serve as a trap crop, attracting aphids and flea beetles away from beets. Their flowers also attract pollinators and beneficial insects. Plant at seasonal edges or between rows.
13. Marigolds
Marigolds repel nematodes (microscopic worms that can damage beet roots) and discourage many soil-borne pests. Their flowers also boost pollinator presence.
14. Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi shares similar growth needs with beets, but does not compete aggressively for underground space. They pair well in cool seasons.
15. Radishes
Radishes mature very quickly, making them a good early-season companion as their short life cycle complements the longer-maturing beets. They help loosen soil and reduce weed competition.
16. Leeks
Leeks, another allium, emit pest-repellent odors and their tall foliage provides slight shade for beet foliage in hot regions.
17. Bush Beans
Bush beans (distinct from pole beans) work particularly well, adding nitrogen, requiring little maintenance, and using similar water.
Herb Companions for Beets
Cluster Mediterranean herbsâoregano, rosemary, sage, thyme, catnip, and chivesâaround your beet beds. Benefits include:
- Pest management via strong aromatic oils
- Attracting pollinators
- Improving garden aesthetics and biodiversity
How to Arrange Companion Plants
For maximum results, carefully plan your beet patch layout. Hereâs a sample plan:
| Companion | Benefit | Suggested Position |
|---|---|---|
| Onions/Garlic/Leeks | Pest repellent | Interplant rows or borders |
| Lettuce | Weed suppression, moisture retention | Between rows |
| Beans | Nitrogen fixation | Same bed, spaced generously |
| Herbs (catnip, thyme, oregano, sage, rosemary) | Pest deterrent, pollinator attraction | Bed edges, corners, or container |
| Nasturtiums/Marigolds | Trap crop, nematode control | Bed margins, between plants |
Plants to Avoid Near Beets
Some crops are not suitable neighbors for beets, leading to reduced vigor or increased pest problems. Avoid planting:
- Field Mustard: Competes heavily for nutrients and space.
- Pole Beans: Can stunt beet growth by competing for space and resources, unlike bush beans.
- Chard and Spinach: All members of the Beta family and may attract similar pests and diseases, increasing shared risks.
- Fennel: Produces root exudates that can negatively affect beets and other crops nearby.
- Brassicas (if soil nutrients are limited): Since both beets and brassicas can be heavy feeders in poor soil, ensure abundant fertility if combining these crops.
Companion Planting Tips for Beets
- Rotate crops yearly to prevent buildup of beet-specific pests and diseases.
- Use mulch or living ground covers to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture.
- Ensure consistent watering: Beets need about one inch per week for optimal root development, which often matches the needs of companions like lettuce and bush beans.
- Maintain spacing: Even with companions, beets require 2â4 inches between plants for bulb expansion.
- Interplant flowers: Marigolds, nasturtiums, and chive blossoms attract beneficial insects and break pest cycles.
Common Beet Pests and How Companions Help
Proper companion planting defends beets from frequent threats. Here are top pest threats and natural strategies to resist them:
- Aphids: Repelled by alliums (onions, garlic, chives) and nasturtiums as trap crops.
- Leaf miners: Onions and marigolds mask beet scents, making them harder for leaf miners to find.
- Cutworms/flea beetles: Alliums and catnip offer deterrence.
- Nematodes: Marigolds suppress populations in the soil before beets are planted.
- Mice/rodents: Catnip planted nearby deters rodents naturally.
Beet Companion Planting: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you grow beets and beans together?
A: Yes. Beans fix nitrogen into the soil, which can benefit future beet crops. Use bush beans for the best results, as pole beans may compete with beets for space and light.
Q: Are alliums safe to plant with beets?
A: Absolutely. Onions, garlic, chives, leeks, and shallots all repel pests without crowding beets, making them top companions for pest management and increased yield.
Q: What leafy greens are compatible with beets?
A: Lettuce performs especially well since it covers the soil, suppressing weeds while maturing before beets crowd it out. Avoid chard and spinach due to overlapping pests and diseases.
Q: Which companion flowers are best for beets?
A: Marigolds and nasturtiums are top choices, with marigolds targeting soil-borne pests and nasturtiums attracting predatory insects while luring away aphids.
Q: What should you not plant near beets?
A: Avoid field mustard, fennel, pole beans, and other Beta crops (e.g., chard) to minimize risks of poor growth and increased disease transmission.
Q: How can I avoid attracting cats if I use catnip?
A: Grow catnip in containers near (but not in) your beet bed, or use at the bed’s edge to discourage rodents without drawing neighborhood cats into your garden.
Q: How close should I plant companions to beets?
A: Keep at least 2-4 inches between beet plants, and allow at least 4-6 inches if alternating rows with onions or beans. Herbs and flowers can be grown at the perimeter or in containers for flexibility.
Conclusion
With careful planning and these top companion choices, your beets can thrive alongside a diverse, pest-resistant, and productive garden bed. Choose the right mix of alliums, legumes, leafy greens, herbs, and flowers. Avoid incompatible neighbors, rotate crops, and maintain healthy soil for abundant beet harvests year after year.
References
- https://www.epicgardening.com/beet-companion-plants/
- https://www.groworganic.com/blogs/articles/companion-planting-with-beets-best-and-worst-pairings
- https://www.gardenary.com/blog/the-best-companion-plants-for-beets-in-an-organic-kitchen-garden
- https://www.epicgardening.com/basics/companion-planting/page/2/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfScxdvPbzk
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