Cabbage is a leafy green vegetable and is scientifically known as Brassica oleracea. Closely related to the Broccoli, cabbage is rich in calcium, iron, vitamins C and B6.
Cabbage Companion Planting
Choosing the right companion plants for your cabbage farm can be a herculean task, but not to worry, we have you covered.
This article’s next couple of lines will give you options to combine with your cabbage on the same farm without deterring your cabbage or the other plant.
Borage
Borage is incredibly beneficial to the survival of cabbage, and that is because borage attracts beneficial insects to pollinate the cabbage. So combining borage and cabbage in the same garden space will ensure the proper pollination of the cabbage.
Celery
Combining cabbage and Celery in the same farming space is another beneficial relationship, especially for cabbage. Celery is a pest repellent, and cabbage moths are one of the most terrific threats to the survival of cabbage. Celery deters cabbage moths in its pest-repellent ability, keeping the cabbage farm safe and healthy.
Cauliflower
The primary reason you should consider planting cabbage with cauliflower is that both grow under similar conditions. So you do not need to consider other care routines when you combine these two plants in the same space.
Broccoli
Suppose you are thinking of what to combine with cabbage that doesn’t require another routine of care and maintenance. In that case, broccoli is your choice option. Broccoli and cabbage grow together without deterring each other’s growth and under similar conditions.
Kale
Kale and cabbage are members of the brassica plant family. Because they are part of the same plant family, they require similar growth routines. That is why you should combine both plants in the same garden space.
Beans
Cabbage is a plant that loves a cool environment. Planting cabbage with beans can create the shade that cabbage needs to thrive in sunny conditions. You must study your farm space properly when you pick beans as your companion plant for cabbage for shade creation. Plant the beans towards the farm’s sunny side so they can cast their shadow on the cabbage.
Chives
This aromatic herb is another plant that greatly benefits cabbage when combined in the same garden space. Chives are known pest repellents and are especially great at repelling cabbage moths, which are terrible cabbage pests.
Mint
Mint is another herb you should consider combining with cabbage in the same garden space. That is because mint can improve the flavor of your cabbage, then mints can also repel some of the most vicious pests of cabbage. Aside from repelling pests, mint can also attract beneficial insects to pollinate the cabbage.
Marigolds
With marigolds planted around your cabbage farm, you can be sure that nematodes and mosquitoes will stay off. But marigolds repel much more than just mosquitoes and nematodes. In fact, they are one of the most effective pest-repellent plants in the garden space. When you combine marigolds and cabbage, you have a double assurance of security from pests.
Coriander
Coriander is another aromatic herb that is great to combine with cabbage. When combined, coriander has a way of improving the flavor of the cabbage with nutrients such as calcium and sulfur. So if you want a better-flavored cabbage, coriander, or other aromatic plants is your best bet.
Beets
Beets are another great companion for cabbage. Beets add essential nutrients to the soil for the use of cabbage all season long. The leaves of beets are also quite useful as compost for the growth of cabbage.
Buckwheat
The presence of buckwheat in your cabbage farm will attract beneficial insects and parasitic wasps. The insects and wasps attracted by cabbage into the farm space eventually prey on the pests that deter cabbage, thereby ensuring the safety of your cabbage.
Lettuce
Lettuce doesn’t offer any significant benefits to cabbage, but it provides you, the farmer, the chance to get more from the same land space. Lettuce does not hinder the growth of cabbage, and neither does cabbage impede its growth. Lettuce grows under similar conditions as cabbage, so combining them in the same space is no bother.
Scallions
Scallions are space savers, so having them in your cabbage farm is a great way to save space and get more. Moreover, scallions are great pest repellants, making them great plants around your garden space.
Dandelion Green
Dandelion Greens barely have any pests, which is one of the primary reasons they are good companions for your cabbage farm. The dandelion green is also a great way to maximize space on the cabbage farm because it doesn’t take up a lot of space.
Aragula
Flea beetles are one of the most terrific pests of cabbage. The most problematic bother about them is they evade artificial pesticides because of their ability to fly fast. Aragula is a trap crop for flea beetles because these voracious pests also feed on aragula. Suppose you plant aragula around your cabbage farm. In that case, the flea beetles are attracted to the aragula. So you can sacrifice the aragula to them to save the cabbage.
Thyme
The strong fragrance of thyme is a deterrent to a lot of pests. The array of pests deterred by this herb also covers cabbage moths which are terrific pests of cabbage. Having thyme around your cabbage plantation is a great way to shield it from cabbage moths.
Catnip
This herb also makes a great companion for cabbage because of its pest-repellent abilities. Catnip is strong deterrent to flea beetles, another voracious pest of cabbage.
Basil
If you want to engage in companion planting to tackle cabbage pests, then you should definitely consider basil. Basil is also a pest repellent and a deterrent to many cabbage pests. So, having basil planted around your cabbage guarantees healthier cabbage produce.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums add an array of bright and beautiful colours to your family space. But aside from aesthetics, nasturtiums are strong pest repellants. They are especially known to deter Cabbage worms, and that’s why they’re a choice plant for companioning with cabbage.
Precautionary Measures For Using Cabbage Companion Plants
Companion planting can be a good thing and even a dream come true in some cases, but it could also be a terrible thing when the proper order of companion planting isn’t followed. In choosing a companion plant for your cabbage plants, make certain that the environmental conditions of your gardening space also fit that of the companion plants.
What not to Grow with Cabbage
Having deduced the above, take note of the following plants, as they are terrible companions for cabbage.
- Corn will compete with cabbage for space and, eventually, nutrients because they’re both heavy soil nutrient feeders.
- Squash will shade out your cabbage if you plant both in the same space.
- Lettuce, because some root secretions from cabbage can hinder or totally stop the growth of cabbage.
- Strawberry, because cabbage will hinder its growth.