If you do it right, carrots are one of those crops that can literally go almost all year long. They can be started super early in the spring, planted successively all summer long and into the fall. You can even over-winter a crop by covering it with heavy mulch in most regions. Because I like to start them throughout the growing season, I like to have a list handy on what plants they do the best with. It helps me to quickly decide whether to replace a crop that has run its course with a quick sowing of carrots.
Here’s the crops I try to keep my carrots next to:
- Tomatoes. There’s literally a whole companion planting book title Carrots Love Tomatoes. I mean, if someone can write a book about it, it must be a match made in heaven. P.S. It’s actually a fantastic gardening book, I own it myself. Fair warning, though, some gardeners believe that while tomatoes might stunt the growth of carrots, they give them better flavor. You’ve been warned.
- Leeks. Leeks repel carrot flies.
- Onion. Onions deter carrot flies by masking the odor of carrots–making carrot flies think there is nothing for them.
- Rosemary. Again, it mask the odor of carrots, deterring carrot flies.
- Sage. Same general principal as Rosemary applies with Sage.
- Chives. Chives improve the flavor of carrots AND mask their odor to deter carrot flies.
- Beans. Beans don’t protect carrots or help them grow, but they make nice quiet neighbors.
- Amaranth. Amaranth loosens the soil as it grows, which basically forges a path for carrots to grow.
- Lettuce. Lettuce can help to loosen the soil and makes a good companion when you sow carrots in cooler weather.
There are plenty of other plants that carrots are more than happy to get along with, but those are some of my favorites. Do YOU have a favorite neighbor for your carrots?
~Mavis
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Betsy in MN says
I have about 16 – 3 ft x 6 ft beds in part of my garden. In two of the beds I have a trellis down the middle on which I train sugar snap peas. Around the peas I plant carrots. They make great companions! Have done this for years with great success!
I still have about two months before I can plant outside, have about 200+ pots to start indoors… Love your garden stories!
Beth says
Radishes! They come up early and loosen the soil, making way for the carrots!
Pauline says
I use an empty salt or pepper shaker , put some clean sand ( I buy at the nursery…) , add seeds of radishes and seeds of carrots.
Mix well.
In your prepared row, shake in the mixture. The radishes will be ready to eat first…..giving room for the carrots.
Saving time. No need to make room for the carrots by having to remove your young plants to make room….
From my Mother when I was a little girl!
An1e says
My dad did the radish/carrot thing as well! Worked a treat!
Marion Perry says
Great post! Found some nice ideas for adding new plants to my garden. I’m trying companion planting this year and your article is very helpful for me. Thank you for sharing all this helpful information! Happy gardening!