Top 10 Lettuce Companion Plants And 10 You Should Avoid
If you are thinking of companion planting for your lettuce plants this season, here is a list of crops that you can choose from.
If you desire a bountiful harvest this lettuce planting season, do not grow them alone.
Why?
Because companion planting does not just give you a bountiful harvest but also wards off pests and diseases that may affect your plant.
Take advantage and maximize the benefits of the companion crops we are about to share below.
Most of them are herbs, others are vegetables, and even flowers.
However, the ideal plants to plant with lettuce are carrots, chives, asparagus, eggplants, cilantro, mint nasturtiums etc.
With companion planting, this strategy positively benefits the other plant in close proximity.
Some companions provide lettuce with shade, act as a barrier to the wind, deter certain weeds and pests, aid in moisture retention, or act as a trellis.
In this article, we have put together a list of lettuce companion plants that have been proven to increase your harvest yield.
All you have to do is plant them in close proximity to your lettuce.
So, read on for the best companion plants for lettuce.
What is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is a natural method that has been used by gardeners for years to aid pollination, keep the number of pests down and maintain a natural balance in your garden.
What this means is that planting some plants close to another will have a beneficial effect on each other’s growth or just be beneficial to one and not affect the other plant adversely
Companion planting is all about planting some plants together because they have characteristics that complement each other.
Some attract beneficial insects, others repel pests, and some go as far as complementing each other’s nutrient requirements
Companion planting is one of the Gardening Tips And Tricks For Beginners that many often ignore.
This Gardening Tips For Vegetable Planting is a welcome development in the gardener’s world.
However, most gardeners find it suitable for both Raised Bed Vegetable Gardening and Indoor Vegetable Gardening.
Understanding this concept and putting it into use is a great way to make art out of your garden.
I’m pretty sure that is your intention.
Other times, a plant may have a neutral companionship with the primary crop.
Why Should I Use Companion Plants?
It’s no longer news that one of the reasons why most farmers do not plant companion crops is because they don’t know what this singular act brings to them.
For vegetable farmers as well as other gardeners, companion planting is an excellent idea and a great step in the right direction.
Some of the benefits of companion planting include
- Companion Plants wards off certain insects and attracts pollinators.
- Also, companion plants are great for shade and support especially for underground plants.
- Companion crops suppress weeds from thriving in the garden leaving the plants to enjoy the soil nutrients.
- Also, companion plants are a great natural and organic method to improve soil quality as Composting. See Composting For Beginners.
- Companion plants help improve plant growth and improve plant health.
All these will only be possible if you pay attention to the companion chart.
Do not overlook the smallest details, if you do, you’re likely to put the healthy growth of your plant at risk.
10 Best Companion Plants for Lettuce.
There are several best companion plants for lettuce.
These plants suit the growth of lettuce and favour its overall survival in the garden.
Some of these plants include herbs like mint, and chives; vegetables like carrots, beets, and eggplant; and flowers like nasturtiums.
Let’s take a good look at most of these favourable plants that you can easily grow with lettuce.
#1. Carrots:
Carrots are great companion plants for lettuce.
As a root crop, carrots grow underneath and produces their crop underground meanwhile lettuce does not have deep roots and grow above the ground.
This fact makes this two quite compatible. As they do not drag for space with each other.
Check out Top 10 Carrot Companion Plants.
#2. Asparagus:
Asparagus makes a wonderful companion for lettuce.
The combination of lettuce and asparagus in the garden provides lettuce with a natural shade.
This natural shade is quite beneficial especially when the sun is shining so hot the lettuce starts to wilt.
However for this to be achieved when growing your asparagus you need to leave a little of the crop to continue growing in your garden.
This will enable it to build energy for next year. It is these leftover plants that will protect your lettuce with their fern-like leaves when the time comes.
#3. Beets:
If you are looking for a good companion plant that wouldn’t occupy much space, then you can consider beets As a root plant it wouldn’t compete for space with lettuce.
It grows mostly underground while lettuce grows mostly above the ground and has shallow roots. Since space is not an issue here, you can plant this two very close together.
#4. Eggplant:
Planting eggplant with lettuce has majorly one advantage which is the ability of your eggplant to take up the space left by lettuce when you are done with harvesting.
Check out the Top 10 Eggplant Companion Plants And 3 You Should Avoid in 2022.
#5. Chervil:
Chervil is a great companion plant for lettuce.
One benefit it gives to lettuce is keeping lettuce-eating slugs away from the lettuce.
It carries out this duty well because chervil is an awesome slug repellent.
#6. Mints:
Mints are another good companion plant for lettuce.
They make use of their aroma to protect your lettuce from slugs and other dangerous pests that can destroy your crop.
#7. Chives:
Chives are very good companion plants for lettuce.
They serve as a repellent for aphids. You can plant chives in between rows of your lettuce plant to keep aphids away from them.
#8. Cilantro:
Another crop to plant with lettuce is cilantro. These two wonderful plants make good companions. Cilantro is an aromatic herb.
And it uses its properties to repel unwashed insects and to attract beneficial ones to your lettuce.
#9. Alliums:
Alliums such as shallots and onions make excellent companion plants for lettuce.
They are root plants that help to maximize your garden space when planted with lettuce.
The onion plant offers the gardener both sweet edible leaves and roots.
And in addition, they offer great relationships when you plant them with lettuce.
#10. Turnips:
Turnips make a great companion for your lettuce plant.
They are naturally aphid repellent.
This helps a great deal as aphids disturb the lettuce plant a lot. However with turnips nearby they surely won’t have access to your lettuce leaves.
Check out Top 10 Turnip Companion Plants 2022:
Other plants that do well as companion plants when you plant them with lettuce include:
- Calendula
- Parsnips
- Garlic
- Radish
- Nasturtiums
- Strawberries
- Melons and squash
Plants You Will Regret Planting With Lettuce
As much as you’re looking for companion plants to follow through with the benefits of Companion Planting this season, there are crops you should not plant if you’re planting lettuce.
These plants either compete for soil nutrients and space, or they have a toxic nature that can eliminate your desired crop.
That will result in a low harvest as well as poor performance of crops.
Whatever research you want to do, do not plant these plants close to lettuce:
- Fennel
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Brussel sprouts
- Cauliflower
The abovementioned plants are very harmful to lettuce in different ways.
Some of these plants attract pests and diseases which may affect lettuce.
If you’re intending to get a bountiful lettuce harvest, do not plant these crops with lettuce.
Frequently Asked Questions About What To Plant With Lettuce.
Does Lettuce Need Full Sun To Grow ?
Lettuce is one vegetable that requires full sun to grow very fast. However it also tolerates a little bit of once in a while. You can provide it with a little shade from the scorchy afternoon sun to prevent it from wilting.
What Should I not Plant with Lettuce?
Lettuce has so many good companion plants. However there are certain crops you should not plant with lettuce.
They include crops like;Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, and fennel. These plants mentioned do not grow well with lettuce.
Does lettuce plant like manure?
For lettuce to grow well, it requires a rich and fertile soil with moisture. Therefore, endeavor to put in enough manure into the soil after weeding before planting your lettuce.
Should I soak lettuce seeds before planting ?
Yes, it is advisable to soak lettuce seeds for 16-24 hours in a well lit area before planting. This helps to greatly increase the germination percentages.
Summary
Lettuce is one green vegetable that is easy to cultivate. It has many benefits you wouldn’t love to miss. However getting a healthy bountiful harvest requires knowing the right plants to grow them with.
To increase your chance of having a great harvest, you need to employ the technique of companion planting and know what plants are best planted with lettuce.
Also do not forget to read this article on How To Prepare The Soil For Planting Vegetables.
It will do you much good!!
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