lettuce and green beans growing together as companion plants in the garden

Companion Planting for Lettuce

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Companion planting for lettuce is growing plants with your lettuce that will support them nutritionally and protect them. What plants have similar water and sun needs? Find out more about companion planting and what grows well together.

someone holding a bundle of freshly harvested lettuce from the garden

What to plant with lettuce to keep bugs away

There are so many benefits to planting lettuce with good companion plants. Many plants repel insects such as marigolds, catnip, and rue. And many attract beneficial insects such as marigolds and borage. There are many plants that help with insects in the garden.

For a fun idea check out how to grow your own salad garden here.

Here’s a link to a great vegetable garden planner you can print right out and use at home! So cute!

Companion plants for lettuce can improve soil nutrients, such as peas and beans that add nitrogen to the soil as they grow. Another benefit of companion planting is faster growth and better taste. Marjoram, savory, and chamomile are some plants that release chemicals that encourage growth and improve flavors.

Plants that spread across the ground in a thick ground cover such as thyme and oregano make great companion plants for lettuce because they keep the soil temperatures lower and protect plants from the.

Lettuce does not require full sun, so planting them near larger plants can provide them shade.

Lettuce is easy to grow and germinates well. Check out the highlighted text to see how to grow it. It is grown in the spring or fall when temperatures are cooler. Check out this month-by-month garden planting guide here for more information about when to sow your garden seeds.

To find your growing zone, click here.

rows of plants in the garden, lettuce, basil, and other companion plants for lettuce

Lettuce companion plants

So let’s find out what the best plants are to grow with lettuce to get the best crop.

Beets, turnips, carrots, parsnips, and onions are great crops to plant with lettuce. They are root crops so they use space under the ground to grow. Lettuce has shallow roots, so they can be planted close to these root crops and maximize your garden space. Turnips also naturally repel aphids which can be a pest of lettuce.

Once you harvest all of your large asparagus, you leave the small spears to gather energy for next year’s crop. These small spears leaf out into a fern and make great shade for lettuce to extend how long it can be grown as it gets hot.

Calendula attracts slugs which are lettuce’s worst enemy. So you can plant it a little ways away from your lettuce for best results. Chervil repels slugs, so it’s the perfect companion plant for lettuce in your garden.

Aromatic herbs such as chives and garlic can make a stinky barrier to keep aphids away from crops. And ones like cilantro will repel pests and attract beneficials to your lettuce. The aroma of mint, hyssop, and sage repel slugs as well. Herbs are wonderful powerhouses in the vegetable garden.

Lettuce can grow in a spot in your garden plot and you can plant eggplant which will take over the spot once it gets too hot for lettuce. You can do the same thing with melons and squash as well.

Nasturtium flowers attract aphids as well. So planting them a short distance from your veggies help them attract aphids away from your crops. They make wonderful companion plants for lettuce AND they are gorgeous and edible. You get a lot of bang for your buck with nasturtiums.

someone holding a head of lettuce in the garden

What Not to grow with lettuce

Lettuce is a pretty great companion for most vegetable crops. There are some crops that may keep lettuce from growing well such as cabbage, parsley, and celery.

Growing lettuce among other fruits and vegetables in your garden is a great way to grow more in less space and improve the success of both crops. If you are a beginning gardener, check this out for tips. I can’t wait to see what you’re growing!

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