The Beetroot Companion Guide: Which Plants Should You Plant With Beets

The Beetroot Companion Guide: Which Plants Should You Plant With Beets?

Beetroots are a delicious and versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. They are also relatively easy to grow, making them a great choice for beginning gardeners.

One of the best ways to ensure a successful beet harvest is to practice companion planting. Companion planting is the practice of planting different types of plants together in a way that benefits them all. By planting beets with the right companion plants, you can improve their growth, deter pests, and boost their overall health.

In this guide, we will discuss some of the best companion plants for beetroots. We will also provide tips on how to plant and care for beets, so that you can enjoy a bountiful harvest all season long.

What Are Companion Plants?

Companion plants are plants that benefit each other when grown together. They may attract beneficial insects, deter pests, or improve the soil quality. By planting companion plants together, you can create a more balanced and healthy garden ecosystem.

Why Companion Plant Beets?

Beetroots are a relatively low-maintenance crop, but they can benefit from companion planting. Some of the benefits of companion planting beets include:

• Improved growth: Companion plants can help to improve the growth of beets by providing shade, nutrients, or water. For example, tall plants like sunflowers can provide shade for beets, which can help them to grow larger and healthier roots.
• Deterrent to pests: Some companion plants can deter pests that are attracted to beets. For example, onions and garlic can help to repel carrot flies, which are a common pest of beets.
• Improved soil quality: Companion plants can help to improve the soil quality by adding nutrients, breaking down organic matter, or suppressing weeds. For example, legumes like peas and beans can add nitrogen to the soil, which is essential for the growth of beets.

Best Companion Plants for Beets

There are many different plants that can be grown as companion plants for beets. Some of the best include:

• Allium family: Members of the allium family, such as onions, garlic, chives, and leeks, can help to repel pests that are attracted to beets. They also release sulfur compounds that can improve the soil quality.
• Brassicas: Brassicas, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower, can help to deter pests and improve the soil quality. They also release chemicals that can suppress the growth of weeds.
• Legumes: Legumes, such as peas and beans, can add nitrogen to the soil, which is essential for the growth of beets. They also help to improve the soil structure and suppress weeds.
• Marigolds: Marigolds can help to repel nematodes, which are a common pest of beets. They also release chemicals that can improve the soil quality.
• Spinach: Spinach can help to suppress weeds and improve the soil quality. It can also provide shade for beets, which can help them to grow larger and healthier roots.

How to Plant Beets with Companion Plants

When planting beets with companion plants, it is important to consider the size and growth habit of each plant. Taller plants should be planted on the north or west side of shorter plants, so that they do not block the sun. It is also important to space plants properly, so that they have enough room to grow.

Here are some tips on how to plant beets with companion plants:

• Plant beets and companion plants at the same time. This will give them a chance to establish themselves at the same time and benefit from each other's presence.
• Space plants according to their mature size. Taller plants need more space than shorter plants.
• Plant taller plants on the north or west side of shorter plants, so that they do not block the sun.
• Water plants regularly, especially during hot weather.
• Fertilize plants as needed.
• Keep an eye out for pests and diseases.

Conclusion

By planting beets with the right companion plants, you can improve their growth, deter pests, and boost their overall health. By following the tips in this guide, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of beets all season long.

Beets are a delicious and versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes. But did you know that there are certain plants that can help your beets thrive? Companion planting is the practice of planting certain plants together to benefit each other. For beets, some of the best companion plants include:

• Broccoli: Broccoli is a member of the Brassica family, which also includes beets. These plants help each other by deterring pests and diseases.
• Bush beans: Bush beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which can help beets grow better.
• Cabbage: Cabbage is another member of the Brassica family that can help deter pests and diseases.
• Cauliflower: Cauliflower is similar to broccoli in that it helps beets by deterring pests and diseases.
• Lettuce: Lettuce helps to suppress weeds, which can give your beets a better chance to grow.

If you're interested in learning more about companion planting for beets, I recommend visiting Gardenia Inspiration. This website has a wealth of information on the topic, including a list of other plants that can be beneficial to beets.

FAQ of beetroot companion

Q1: What are some good companion plants for beetroot?

A: Beetroot is a relatively easy crop to grow and can be companion planted with a variety of other vegetables. Some good companions include:

• Beans: Beans are nitrogen-fixing plants, which means they can add nitrogen to the soil, which beetroots benefit from.
• Broccoli: Broccoli is a Brassica, which means it has similar pest and disease resistance to beetroot.
• Lettuce: Lettuce is a leafy green vegetable that doesn't shade out beetroot.
• Onions and brassicas: Onions and brassicas can help to repel pests that can damage beetroot, such as aphids and cabbage moths.
• Potatoes: Potatoes can help to suppress weeds, which can compete with beetroot for water and nutrients.

Q2: What are some bad companion plants for beetroot?

A: Some plants should not be planted near beetroot, as they can compete for water and nutrients, or attract pests and diseases. These include:

• Carrots: Carrots and beetroot are both root vegetables, and planting them close together can lead to root rot.
• Cucumbers: Cucumbers can attract pests such as cucumber beetles, which can also damage beetroot.
• Melons: Melons can also attract cucumber beetles, and they can compete with beetroot for water and nutrients.
• Peas: Peas are legumes, and they can fix nitrogen in the soil, which can actually inhibit the growth of beetroot.
• Spinach: Spinach can attract aphids, which can also damage beetroot.

Q3: What are some tips for companion planting beetroot?

A: Here are a few tips for companion planting beetroot:

• Plant beetroot with other plants that have similar growing requirements, such as sun exposure and soil type.
• Plant beetroot with plants that can help to repel pests and diseases, such as onions and brassicas.
• Avoid planting beetroot near plants that compete for water and nutrients, such as carrots and cucumbers.
• Space beetroot plants appropriately, so that they have enough room to grow.
• Mulch around beetroot plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Q4: What are the benefits of companion planting beetroot?

A: Companion planting can help to improve the growth and health of beetroot plants in a number of ways. For example:

• Companion plants can help to attract beneficial insects, which can help to control pests.
• Companion plants can help to suppress weeds, which can compete with beetroot for water and nutrients.
• Companion plants can help to improve the soil quality, which can benefit the growth of beetroot plants.
• Companion planting can help to reduce the need for pesticides and herbicides, which can be harmful to the environment.

Q5: What are some common problems with beetroot companion planting?

A: There are a few common problems that can occur with beetroot companion planting, such as:

• Pests: Some pests, such as aphids and cabbage moths, can damage both beetroot and their companion plants.
• Diseases: Some diseases, such as root rot, can affect both beetroot and their companion plants.
• Incompatible plants: Some plants should not be planted near beetroot, as they can compete for water and nutrients, or attract pests and diseases.
• Poor soil quality: Poor soil quality can lead to poor growth of both beetroot and their companion plants.

Image of beetroot companion

• Beetroot and cabbage: Beetroot and cabbage are both members of the Brassica family, so they benefit from each other's presence. Cabbage helps to deter pests from beetroot, while beetroot helps to improve the soil quality for cabbage.
• Beetroot and lettuce: Lettuce is a good companion plant for beetroot because it helps to suppress weeds and attract beneficial insects. Lettuce also does not shade beetroot, so they can be planted close together.
• Beetroot and onion: Onions help to repel pests from beetroot, such as aphids and carrot flies. They also help to improve the flavor of beetroot.
• Beetroot and beans: Beans help to fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits beetroot. They also help to shade the soil, which can help to prevent root rot in beetroot.
• Beetroot and nasturtium: Nasturtiums are a good companion plant for beetroot because they deter pests and attract beneficial insects. They also help to improve the drainage of the soil, which can help to prevent root rot in beetroot.