What are the best companion plants for asparagus?

Opting for companions in your inner subway ride also lowers your susceptibility to certain stressful diseases. Fellow MTA riders drain energy and zest out of you, and your garden makes companions out of them, too. Tom and Basil riders will lessen tunnel resistance by warding off and relieving productivity droppers such as Asparagus Beetle and other ailments that seem hazardous. I plant my reliable companions 18 inches out from my crowns.

Tomatoes. These might otherwise produce in shady situations; thus, I would plant the determinates on the south side of the bed. They produce solanine in the greatest quantity when in the fruiting state, and the beetles are kept off by it. I seldom plant them below the South, using various crop rotations, to prevent them from competing with asparagus lines the following season.

Flowering herbs attract beneficial insects throughout the entire season! Parsley and dill blossom repeatedly throughout the season, providing a source of nectar for pollinators. Their umbrella-shaped flowers are perfect for tiny wasps searching for beetle larvae. I let these herbs go to seed every year to encourage pest patrollers!

Don't garden with companions that have roots as intrusive as mint. Use discreet planters. Be aware of where the water goes. Some companions require less water than others. I installed drip lines in separate zones and dripped water into them. Asparagus can't stand being overwatered and would prefer to be watered deeply with less frequent watering.

Summer sow seasonal companions like borage for spring pollinators and calendula for summer pests. Remove the annuals when you do your fall cleanup. Perennial chives, with their lavender flowers, have a place in permanent beds; the strong flavor of the greenery deters root pests.

Read the full article: When to Plant Asparagus: Essential Growing Guide