Companion planting asparagus alongside the right companion plants is like a secret superpower for your garden. It’s all about swapping nutrients, inviting good bugs, and scaring away pests from your asparagus party. It’s kind of a you-scratch-my-back-I-scratch-yours deal. But what are the best asparagus companion plants, and how can they benefit your harvest?
Ready to take the guesswork out? Awesome! In this guide, I will dive into the fascinating world of asparagus companion planting and shine light on the best and worst neighbors for this springtime veggie. So, get your gardening gloves on and keep on scrolling!
Summary of How to Grow Asparagus
Before talking about asparagus companion planting, let’s first take a quick look at how to grow asparagus.
Asparagus prefers light, sunny areas and rich, well-drained soil.
You can start with seeds or one-year-old dormant plants called ‘crowns.’ Plant them directly into the ground and keep them well-watered. Let the crowns develop plenty of ferny foliage so that they become established and strong.
Be sure not to harvest asparagus within the first two years. This perennial takes its sweet time to grow, so patience is key here. Once you enter the momentous third season, cut foliage back to 10cm above soil level and add some well-seasoned compost.
Water regularly and keep an eye out for weeds.
Conditions for Growing Asparagus
| Best Climate | Asparagus is generally considered a temperate climate plant and prefers a temperature between 70-85°F |
| Plant Spacing | 12–18 inches (30-46cm) |
| Planting Depth | When planting asparagus crowns, make a trench 8 inches (200mm) deep but only cover with 2 inches (50mm) of soil. This is to allow the sun to warm the soil around the crown. |
| Time till Harvest | 2-3 years |
| Position | Full-sun |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
Best Asparagus Companion Plants
Keep your asparagus beds pest-free and productive all season long with these six easy-to-care-for asparagus companion plants.
Tomato
Tomato and asparagus are a dynamic duo in the garden oasis. Plant them beside one another and watch them grow big and tall, all thanks to their symbiotic relationship!
The tomato plants release solanine, a chemical which repels pesky asparagus beetles and keeps your harvest safe.
Asparagus, on the other hand, deters nematodes that can cause root-knot in tomato plants.
Eggplant
Because it belongs to the same family as tomato, eggplant also makes a great pairing with asparagus. It, too, benefits from asparagus repelling nematodes and keeps asparagus beetles at bay.
However, be sure to plant eggplant along the edges of the asparagus bed rather than between rows to prevent competition between the two.
Strawberry
Asparagus and strawberry companion planting is one of the prettiest combinations, so if you’re going for aesthetics, it’s the way to go.
But that’s not all! Planting low-growing, perennial strawberries under asparagus also helps with weed suppression.
It does this by overtaking any space that weeds would have used to wriggle their way into your asparagus plot. And because the roots of both plants occupy different depths within the soil, there’s less chance of competition for nutrients and moisture. A win-win for both!
Basil
The delicious aroma of basil does a wonderful job of attracting beneficial pollinators every garden needs to thrive. Think butterflies and bees.
At the same time, basil repels asparagus beetles, which can otherwise feed on your sprouts and turn them brown.
Dill
Another fantastic combination is that of asparagus and dill. This herb attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which prey on aphids and other crop-destroying pests.
Additionally, dill has a shallow root system that doesn’t disturb asparagus growth and appreciates the shade the asparagus plant provides.
Nasturtium
Nasturtiums are bright, cheery flowers that can benefit almost any plant. Growing them near asparagus can draw in hoverflies that prey on problematic insects like aphids, improving the yield.
Plus, they provide a living mulch to reduce moisture loss and weed pressure.
Bad Companion Plants for Asparagus
Asparagus definitely has some foes in the plant world! Here are three bad companion plants for asparagus that should be avoided at all costs.
Alliums
Allium plants such as onions, garlic, leeks, and chives are bad companion plants for asparagus. While the onion family members are excellent insect repellents, they take up lots of nutrients and time to grow. These plants can stunt the growth of asparagus if planted too close to the asparagus bed.
Potatoes
Due to a similar deep root system, potatoes and asparagus are not good companions in the garden. The roots of potatoes wander far off in the soil and end up stealing nutrients from the asparagus plant.
It’s best to grow each plant in a separate bed to avoid any competition between the two.
Carrots
Just like potatoes, carrots are also long root vegetables that can steal the minerals needed for the growth of asparagus.
Moreover, carrots draw carrot flies that can eat the asparagus plant and wreak havoc. Not to mention the fact that they don’t pair well with other asparagus companion plants, like spinach and dill.
FAQs: Asparagus Companion Planting
What should you not plant near asparagus?
Among the plants that should never be planted next to asparagus are potatoes, carrots, shallots, chives, onions, and garlic. This is because all of these vegetables have an invasive root system that can steal the soil nutrients, leading to stunted growth and eventual death of your asparagus plants.
Are tomatoes and asparagus companion plants?
Not only are tomatoes and asparagus symbiotically linked, but they are also a powerful companion planting duo to make the most of.
The chemicals in the tomato plant effectively repel asparagus beetles, whereas asparagus helps prevent nematode infestation in tomatoes.
Are rhubarb and asparagus companion plants?
Rhubarb and asparagus perfectly balance each other out when grown side by side. This pairing works effectively because rhubarb is a shallow-rooted vegetable in contrast to asparagus’ deep-rooted system. On top of that, rhubarb also keeps pests away from the asparagus plant.
Are asparagus and strawberries good companion plants?
Asparagus and strawberry companion planting is mutually beneficial and one of the best combinations out there. Both of these plants are perennials and have similar growing periods.
Since strawberries have shallow roots, there’s also no competition for nutrients between the two. Lastly, the berries provide ground cover for asparagus, preventing weeds from sprouting.
Final Thoughts on Asparagus Companion Planting
Companion planting asparagus can significantly benefit your asparagus plants, optimizing their health and growth. Choosing the right asparagus companion plants improves yield and helps create a thriving and harmonious garden ecosystem.
So, what’s your favorite buddy plant for asparagus? Do you have any suggestions for my line-up? Would love you to share in the comments below!
Until then, Happy Gardening!
Herb & Vegetable Companion Planting Guides
About the Author
Elle Reed is a passionate gardener and advocate for teaching beginner gardeners how to grow their own food. Elle’s mission is to inspire and empower people to get back to basics, grow their own produce, and embrace a sustainable lifestyle. “Whether it’s a few herb pots in an apartment, a potager or a full garden plot, we can all ‘start somewhere’ to grow our own food, and in doing so, provide healthier food for ourselves and those we love”.
