Beets are an easy-to-grow, fast-growing, cool-season crop. Newbies and experts alike can grow beets relatively easily by companion planting or using one plant’s characteristics to another plant’s advantage.
Explore this list of companion plants that you can plant with beets.
1. Allium
Some garden pests, such as aphids, sugar beet-flea beetles, rabbits, and deer, may be naturally repelled by plants in the allium family. Onions, garlic, leeks, and shallots belong to this aromatic family of crops.
Many gardeners say that growing garlic nearby improves the flavor of the beets. Garlic also releases sulfur, a natural anti-fungal that reduces the risk of diseases in beets.
2. Lettuce
The slow-growing lettuce pairs well with beets. Because it has shallow roots, it will not compete for resources with other root crops in your garden.
Leafy greens act as a live mulch. The lettuce’s broad, thick leaves also make it an effective ground cover, suppressing weeds and increasing soil moisture retention.
3. Cabbages
Beets enrich the soil with essential nutrients that improve the quality and development of plants in the cabbage family. Because their leaves contain a high concentration of manganese and iron, any leaves that fall or are tilled in will restore those nutrients to the soil.
Beets increase the flavor, quality, and growth of kale, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and kohlrabi.
4. Radishes
Radishes are quick-growers and can be harvested before the beets mature so that both root crops won’t compete for space in the garden. They help to loosen the soil and prepare it for the growth of larger root crops.
Radishes can also be used as a flea beetle trap crop by planting them at the edges of garden beds. They can also be used to mark the location of slow-growing beets.
5. Bush Beans
Beans and other legumes improve the soil through a process known as nitrogen fixation. Bush beans, butter beans, and soybeans provide nitrogen and other vital nutrients to the soil, which helps enhance the growth of beet crops.
However, keeping the pole bean variety away from beets is best. Beets and pole beans will limit each other’s development because of the excess nitrogen, resulting in beets with an oversized top and a little beetroot.
6. Catnip
Strong-smelling herbs like catnip make good garden companions. Catnip repels many insect pests, including aphids, flea beetles, and Japanese beetles. This herb also helps keep away voles and mice.
Remember that catnip can grow very aggressively, so make sure you don’t plant catnip in the vegetable garden. You can plant beets in the herb garden instead.
7. Marigold
Marigolds are commonly used in vegetable gardens because they repel pests. They can be used to lure slugs and keep them away from your beet crops.
Marigolds are low-maintenance flowers that pair well with beets and many other edible crops. The flowers add color to the garden, drawing pollinators and beneficial insects. At the same time, many pests are turned off by their scent.
