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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.

Companion planting is a proven way to boost garden success. If you’re new to the concept or looking for general tips, check out my 5 Tips for Successful Companion Planting to get started.

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.

If you’re planning your garden layout, don’t miss this guide on cucumber companion plants—you’ll find tips on pairing cucumbers with flowers, herbs, and vegetables to improve growth and reduce pests.

Favorite Cool-Season Companion Combinations

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

Broccoli, Calendula, and Beets
- Calendula attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and hoverflies that prey on common broccoli pests. Beets mature quickly and can be harvested before broccoli spreads out, making efficient use of space.
Peas, Carrots and Spinach
- Peas fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting leafy greens like spinach. Carrots grow deep while peas climb up, maximizing vertical space.
Green Onions and Strawberries
- Onions help repel pests that might target strawberries. The compact growth of bunching onions doesn’t compete with strawberries.
Broccoli and Dill
- 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
- Radishes grow quickly and can be harvested before the broccoli needs more space.
Cabbage, Beets, and Chamomile
- 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
- 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
- Sage can help repel pests like cabbage moths that target kale. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop, luring aphids away from kale.
Spinach, Radishes, and Borage
- Spinach and radishes can be harvested at different times. Borage attracts pollinators and can improve the growth and flavor of spinach.
Garlic, Lettuce, and Alyssum
- Garlic repels pests with its strong scent. Lettuce benefits from pest protection and grows well in the spaces between garlic plants.

Companion planting tip:

Try these cool-season companion plant 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.