Plant These 15 Garden Favorites Next To Your Kale For Incredible Results
Looking to take your kale game to the next level? Planting these 15 garden favorites alongside your kale will give you the kind of results you’ve always dreamed of.
Trust me, your garden will thank you, and so will your taste buds! These plants aren’t just pretty—they complement kale in the best possible way, making both thrive.
Get ready for a garden that looks amazing and delivers an abundance of fresh, flavorful goodies!
1. Calendula
Colorful blooms that are more than just eye candy! Calendula, known for its vibrant orange and yellow petals, attracts beneficial insects like pollinators and pest predators.
Planting it next to kale can reduce aphid populations and add a splash of color to your garden. This floral beauty helps keep the ecosystem balanced, giving your greens a chance to grow unhindered. Plus, they make great cut flowers for your table!
2. Borage
Meet the starry-eyed borage! With its dazzling blue, star-shaped flowers, borage is known to enhance the flavor of nearby plants. This herb attracts pollinators and repels tomato hornworms, aiding your kale’s growth.
Besides, its leaves are edible and can be used in salads or as garnishes. With borage beside your kale, you’ll not only have a healthier garden but a tastier salad bowl too!
3. Nasturtium
Bright, bold, and beautiful! Nasturtium’s fiery reds and yellows aren’t just pretty faces; they’re hardworking companions. These flowers act as a natural trap for aphids, drawing them away from your precious kale.
The peppery leaves and blossoms are edible, adding a zesty flavor to your dishes. By planting nasturtium, you create a vibrant, protective shield around your greens that also decorates your garden gorgeously.
4. Garlic
The garden’s vampire deterrent! Garlic is more than a culinary staple; it’s a natural pest repellent. When grown alongside kale, garlic wards off insects like cabbage moths and aphids. Its strong aroma confuses pests, leaving your kale to thrive.
And the bonus? You get to harvest two delicious crops come season’s end. Garlic and kale together make for a dynamic gardening duo.
5. Onion
Tear-free and pest-free! Onions not only complement kale in the kitchen but also in the garden. They deter common pests such as aphids and carrot flies with their pungent smell.
Growing onions next to kale ensures a healthier, more resilient plant bed. Plus, who doesn’t love the convenience of freshly picked onions right from the garden?
6. Carrot
Rooted in harmony! Carrots make excellent companions for kale as they grow underground, leaving plenty of space for kale’s leaves above.
This duo doesn’t compete for resources, and carrots help to aerate the soil, promoting healthy root growth. With these two working together, you’ll enjoy crisp carrots and luscious kale in no time!
7. Dill
Feathery and flavorful! Dill attracts beneficial insects and deters pests like cabbage loopers, making it a top companion for kale.
This aromatic herb not only supports your greens but also adds a delightful kick to your recipes. With dill in your garden, your kale will grow stronger, and your meals will taste even better!
8. Mint
Invigorating and invasive! Mint is known for its robust growth and refreshing aroma, which deters pests. Plant it near kale, but be cautious as mint can spread quickly, overtaking garden beds.
Use barriers or pots to keep it in check, and enjoy both the pest control and the added flavor mint brings to your kitchen.
9. Beetroot
Deep-rooted delights! Beetroots and kale are a match made in garden heaven. While kale stretches its leaves outward, beets develop beneath the soil, maximizing space.
This combination allows for a thriving ecosystem where both plants benefit. Plus, you’ll enjoy the vibrant colors and flavors both bring to your plate!
10. Spinach
Leafy green allies! Spinach’s rapid growth complements kale’s slower pace, allowing both to flourish without competition.
Their lush leaves provide a ground cover that helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. With spinach as a companion, your garden will be more productive and your salads even more delicious!
11. Chives
Herbal guardians! Chives not only add a savory kick to dishes but also protect kale by repelling pests with their strong aroma.
Their lovely purple flowers attract pollinators, enhancing your garden’s biodiversity. Planting chives near kale ensures a pest-free zone and a visually appealing garden space.
12. Cilantro
Herb with a twist! Cilantro offers kale a helping hand by attracting beneficial insects that prey on pests. This herb not only supports the ecological balance but also adds a fresh, citrusy flavor to your meals.
By planting cilantro with kale, you create a partnership that’s both practical and delicious.
13. Radish
Quick and crunchy! Radishes are fast growers that break up the soil, allowing kale roots to expand with ease. They mature quickly, providing an early harvest while giving your kale room to grow.
This combination encourages healthier soil and thriving plants, perfect for a productive garden.
14. Sage
Wisdom of the garden! Sage’s aromatic leaves deter harmful pests, creating a protective bubble around your kale. This herb enhances the garden’s sensory experience with its fragrant scent and silvery foliage.
Pairing sage with kale ensures that your greens remain untouched by hungry insects, while you enjoy the calming aroma it provides.
15. Basil
Aromatic allies! Basil’s delightful scent keeps pests at bay, protecting kale from harm. This fragrant herb invites pollinators, boosting your garden’s productivity.
And when grown together, basil and kale create a flavorful duo perfect for a variety of dishes. Enjoy the culinary benefits and the harmony they bring to your garden!