Do you want to know simple tricks to implement when growing your squash plants that can make growing it easier and help produce better crops? I have found that utilizing companion plants is one of the most common tricks that provide amazing benefits to squash.
I believe squash plants can benefit from a variety of different companion plants, which not only make growing squash easier but also can help your yield better by the time they are ready for harvest.
And here are the 10 Best Squash Companion Plants I think you should know for a high yield. Apart from benefiting the growth of your squash plants, these companion plants can also be harvested themselves, creating more products for the kitchen. I even give them to my friends if I already have much in my garden.
At the same time, I love that some companion plants display beautiful flowers to provide added beauty to my garden or landscape while they also work well in their major responsibility to improve my squash plants.
#1 Dill – My Go-To Herb for Natural Pest Control
I personally think dill is the best way to attract beneficial insects such as lacewings and ladybugs, which love eating harmful pests including cucumber beetles. In my experience, cucumber beetles are one of the most annoying pests that damage vine crops like squashes and cucumbers. I always grow dill near my squash to help my plants thrive naturally.
#2 Mint – My Secret Weapon Against Garden Intruders
I have discovered that to protect my squash from deer and rabbit mammals, mint is an easy option that promises to keep planting well with my squash growth. I personally love how this fragrant herb creates a natural barrier around my vegetable patch. In my opinion, it is one of the simplest gardening ideas anyone can try.
#3 Oregano – The Aromatic Shield for My Squash
I find oregano to be a very aromatic herb that controls cabbage moth pests effectively. I learned that this harmful insect is not only a threat to cabbages but also to other crops including my squash plants. To protect my squash, I always grow this herb as a companion plant nearby, and I have seen great results.
#4 Borage – The Pollinator Magnet I Swear By
I absolutely love borage, also known as starflower, bee bush, bee bread, and bugloss. In my garden, I have noticed that its beautiful flowers attract pollinators to pollinate the squash flowers, which results in better crop production. I also appreciate that borage deters certain pest worms which eat away at leaves and damage root systems.
#5 Marigolds – My Favorite Trap Crop for Pests
I have learned that marigolds actually attract pests such as squash bugs, aphids, squash vine borers, mosquitos, and whiteflies. So, to use these flower plants as a companion to my squash, I grow them a short distance away. I find they act by attracting those pesky insects to visit the marigolds instead of my precious squash plants.
#6 Beans – My Natural Soil Booster
I think beans are great companion plants because they add nitrogen to the soil, providing essential nutrients for my squash plants. In my experience, this natural fertilization helps my squash grow stronger and healthier. I personally love this planting idea because it saves me from using chemical fertilizers.
#7 Nasturtiums – My Beautiful Pest Distractor
I adore how nasturtiums work as companion plants by producing pretty flowers that attract aphids, which can cause heavy damage to squash plants. I personally plant them near my squash to draw those harmful insects away. In my opinion, this is one of the most visually appealing and practical garden ideas I have ever tried.
#8 Icicle Radishes – My Compact Bug Repellent
I have found that icicle radishes help deter squash bugs and cucumber beetles, which are the most notorious insects to harm my squash plants. To deter these insects, I simply plant 2-3 plants nearby, and I have noticed a significant reduction in pest damage. I think this is such an easy and effective trick for any home gardener.
#9 Peas – My Chlorophyll Champions
I love that peas also introduce nitrogen into the soil, helping my squash absorb this vital nutrient. I learned that nitrogen is a major component of chlorophyll, allowing the plant to perform photosynthesis effectively. In my experience, pairing peas with squash has given me healthier plants and better yields every season.
#10 Garlic – My Fragrant Pest Barrier
I always plant garlic near my squash because it deters aphids by emitting a strong fragrance. I personally find this to be one of the most low-maintenance companion ideas in my entire garden. In my opinion, every squash grower should have garlic as a protective neighbor for their plants.
