Radishes belong to the Brassicaceae family and are grown for their hardy, colorful, peppery roots. It is rich in potassium, calcium, and vitamins C and B6.
Radish Companion Planting
Choosing compatible companion plants, especially for your radish plantation, can be a lot of work, but not to worry. The next few lines of this article will sort you out with 20 options for companion planting with radish.
1. Marigold
Marigolds serve a dual purpose when acting as companions of radish. One, they attract beneficial insects and pollinators, which help the radish bloom. Second, they deter vicious radish pests, so the radish is adequately protected from certain pest infestations.
2. Rosemary
Bean beetles and carrot flies are terrific pests, and the extent of their negative impact on a radish farm cannot be overstated. However, Rosemary deters these radish pests by its scent, keeping the farm space safe.
3. Chervil
Aphids are another terrific pest of radishes, and not only are they unforgiving to radishes, but they also infest other farm plants. Chervil is one of the plants that aphids detest; planting chervil with your radish, therefore, keeps your farm safe from aphid infestation. Chervil also improves the flavor of radish.
4. Eggplant
The presence of eggplants around radishes will create ample shade for the radish to bloom even in hot weather conditions. Radishes return the favor by repelling pests of eggplants away from the cultivation space.
5. Oregano
Cabbage moths aren’t pests of cabbage alone; they are dreadful pests of radish as well. Oregano has a strong scent that repels cabbage moths, so planting oregano around radish will keep the radish healthy and away from cabbage moth infestation.
6. Nasturtiums
Nasturtium isn’t directly beneficial to radishes because nasturtiums attract aphids which are severely detrimental to radishes. Most farmers use the strategy of planting nasturtium a little distance from the radish, thereby distracting the aphids away from the radish and shifting their attention to the nasturtiums.
How are you sure the aphids wouldn’t just leave the nasturtiums and infest the radishes? You mean to ask. Well, the nasturtiums have bright blooming flowers that call the attention of the aphids.
7. Dill
This aromatic herb is a good way of attracting pollinating insects to the radish farm. Dills also attract parasitic wasps, which attack radish pests, thereby keeping pest infestation levels for the radish farm low.
8. Kale
Kale is one of the plants in the brassica plant family. Kale is a great companion for radishes because it infuses beneficial nutrients into the soil for the use of the radish.
9. Broccoli
Broccoli is another brassica family plant; it releases nutrients into the soil, which radishes can use to bloom. That’s why you should consider broccoli as a companioning option for radishes.
10. Spinach
Like other members of the brassica plant family, Spinach releases soil nutrients that help radishes thrive. Spinach is also another way of getting more for the same land space.
11. Hyssop
This mint family plant can deter non-insect pests of radish, such as deer, so you should definitely consider hyssop as a companion of radish.
12. Sage
Sage is another plant of the mint family. The usefulness of sage for radish is deer repulsion; sage is known to repel deer from the radish farm. So if your area has many deers, you should choose sage as a companion to your radish.
13. Peas
Peas are nitrogen-fixing plants. In other words, they release nitrogen into the soil, which highly benefits radishes’ growth and thriving. So, if you want a better-nourished radish, grow with peas.
14. Parsnips
Root maggots and squash vine borers are another pest set that is extremely detrimental to the health and well-being of radishes. Consider planting parsnips with your radishes to reduce exposure to these voracious pests. Parsnips attract spiders and ladybugs, which deter squash vine borers and root maggots. If a better-protected and healthier radish of your goal for companioning, you should definitely go for parsnips.
15. Pole Beans
Pole Beans are another nitrogen-fixing plant. They help plants cultivated close to them by providing nitrogen into the soil. So, the plants have a better nutrient supply, and this courtesy extends even to radishes.
16. Borage
Borage is both attractive and deterrent, depending on the perspective from which you are viewing. From the angle of beneficial insects, this flower is an attractive one. From the standpoint of the pests such as worms, borage is a hindrance.
17. Cucumber
Cucumber beetles are named after cucumbers because they are terrible pests of cucumbers. Radish is the solution when you need a soldier to fight off these nasty pests. Radishes are deterrents to cucumber beetles, so you should consider interplanting radishes with your cucumber if you have a Cucumber farm.
18. Tomatoes
If you are concerned about your radish soil health, tomatoes are your companioning option. Tomatoes improve the soil quality when planted as companions of radishes. Although, tomatoes generally tend to contaminate the soil. You can call this love; tomatoes improve the soil’s quality for radishes’ growth instead of polluting the earth. Radish returns the favor tomatoes offer by deterring flea beetles which are tomato pests.
19. Lettuce
Planting lettuce with your radish will help keep weeds away from your farm space, as the lettuce will spread its growth to cover the ground, leaving no room for weeds. But aside from this, lettuce keeps the soil moist enough for the thriving of radishes planted as their companions. Not only does lettuce keep moisture within the ground, but it also conserves nutrients within the soil for the use of radish.
20. Onion
Onions act as pest repellants for radishes and are incredibly fantastic at repelling beetles. Therefore, combining onions and radishes will produce a healthier breed of radishes.
Precautionary Measures For Using Radish Companion Plants
Companion planting can be a dream come true, and it could also become a nightmare turning into reality when not correctly done. When choosing any plants to combine with your radish, be sure to conduct enough research to understand the requirements of each plant before taking it on as your companion plant. Also, try understanding your terrain and the plant that best works in your land area. With that, you’re on your way to a farmer’s dream come true.
What not to Grow with Radishes
Take note, however, to keep these plants away from radishes because they don’t do well near each other:
- Corn, which will deny radishes adequate exposure to sunlight.
- Potato, which will not grow well around radish.
- Cabbage, which requires more nutrients than the same land space, can provide for both radish and itself.