Cool-Season Companion Plant Combinations

By: Angela Judd | November 5, 2024

The list of cool-season crops is long. But, when planning and planting your garden, how do you know which crops grow best together? How can you maximize your garden space for peak productivity? In this post, I’ll share my favorite cool-season companion plant combinations to help you maximize the health, productivity, and beauty of your garden.

How does companion planting help your garden?

Whether planting in the ground, in raised beds, or in containers, adding a wide variety of crops to your garden helps create a balanced ecosystem. When you interplant different types of crops, pests have to work a little harder to find their preferred meal. And finally, planting different vegetables, herbs, and flowers throughout your garden makes it beautiful.

Companion Plant Combinations for Your Winter Garden

Key Principles for Cool-Season Companion Success:

Include at least one flower and one herb in each area or garden bed.
Combine crops with different growth rates and habits.
Avoid planting crops with similar pests next to each other.
Allow enough room between crops – follow the square foot spacing guidelines so each crop has enough room to grow.

Favorite Cool-Season Companion Combinations

(Click on the crop name to access how-to-grow guides)

Broccoli, Calendula, and Beets
- Why It Works: Broccoli (a brassica) enjoys the company of calendula flowers, which attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and hoverflies that prey on common pests. Beets mature quickly and can be harvested before broccoli spreads out, making efficient use of space.
Peas, Carrots and Spinach
- Why It Works: Peas fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting leafy greens like spinach. Carrots grow deep while peas climb up, maximizing vertical space.
Green Onions or I’itoi Onions and Strawberries
- Why It Works: Onions help repel pests that might target strawberries. The compact growth of bunching onions doesn’t compete with strawberries, allowing both to thrive.
Broccoli and Dill
- Why It Works: Dill attracts predatory insects that feast on pests harmful to broccoli. Plus, dill’s feathery foliage doesn’t overshadow broccoli, ensuring both plants get enough sunlight.
Radishes Interplanted with Broccoli
- Why It Works: Radishes grow quickly and can be harvested before the broccoli needs more space. This staggered growth maximizes bed usage.
Cabbage, Beets, and Chamomile
- Why It Works: Cabbage and beets don’t compete for space—cabbage spreads above ground while beets grow below. Chamomile attracts beneficial insects and can enhance the flavor of cabbage.
Lettuce, Garlic Chives, and Marigolds
- Why It Works: Lettuce grows well in the shade of taller plants. Chives deter aphids, and marigolds repel nematodes in the soil, promoting healthier lettuce growth.
Kale, Sage, and Nasturtiums
- Why It Works: Sage can help repel pests like cabbage moths that target kale. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop, luring aphids away from kale. Plus, their bright flowers add color to the garden.
Spinach, Radishes, and Borage
- Why It Works: Spinach and radishes both prefer cool weather and can be harvested at different times. Borage attracts pollinators and can improve the growth and flavor of spinach.
Garlic, Lettuce, and Alyssum
- Why It Works: Garlic repels pests with its strong scent. Lettuce benefits from the pest protection and grows well in the spaces between garlic plants. Petunias deter leaf-eating insects and add vibrant colors.

Try these combinations, but don’t be afraid to experiment and see what works best in your garden. Planning is important, but don’t become overwhelmed with the details. Try to plant a variety of crops and enjoy the process.