You know what I realized last season? My kale was looking pretty sad until I planted some garlic nearby. Suddenly those cabbage worms disappeared. That's the magic of companion planting - nature's own pest control system. When we talk about growing kale companion plants, we're really talking about creating plant communities that help each other thrive. I've made plenty of mistakes over the years (like planting kale near strawberries - disaster!), but now I've got this companion thing dialed in.
Got terrible aphids last year? Me too. That's why I started interplanting nasturtiums - haven't seen a major infestation since. Sometimes the simplest solutions work best.
Why Companion Planting Works for Kale
Kale belongs to the brassica family, which means it shares pests with cabbage and broccoli. Companion planting creates a living barrier against these troublemakers. When I first tried growing kale companion plants, I didn't expect much difference. Boy, was I wrong. My kale plants grew bigger leaves and stayed productive longer. Plus, I used way less organic pesticide.
The Science Behind Plant Friendships
Certain plants release chemicals through their roots or leaves that either attract beneficial insects or repel harmful ones. Take marigolds - their roots produce alpha-terthienyl, a compound that kills nematodes. I plant them everywhere now. After struggling with root-knot nematodes for two seasons, this natural solution saved my garden.
| Plant | What It Does | Planting Tip | My Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nasturtiums | Trap crop for aphids, deters cabbage moths | Plant 8-12 inches from kale base | Reduced my aphid issues by 80% last summer |
| Dill | Attracts predatory wasps that eat caterpillars | Sow seeds every 3 weeks for continuous bloom | Saved my crop from cabbage loopers |
| Onions/Garlic | Repels cabbage worms with strong scent | Plant bulbs 6 inches apart around kale perimeter | My kale leaves stopped looking like Swiss cheese |
| Beans | Fixes nitrogen in soil for heavy-feeding kale | Bush beans work better than pole varieties | Noticed darker green leaves within 3 weeks |
| Marigolds | Repels nematodes and whiteflies | French marigolds (Tagetes patula) work best | Root issues disappeared completely |
I used to think spacing didn't matter much. Wrong again. Plant nasturtiums too close and they'll smother young kale. Too far and pests will find their way through. After trial and error, I found 10 inches is the sweet spot.
Plants That Kale Absolutely Hates
Some plants just don't play nice. My worst gardening mistake? Planting kale next to tomatoes. Both got devastated by whiteflies. Turns out tomatoes attract them while kale can't defend against them. Here's what to avoid:
- Tomatoes - Compete for nutrients and attract shared pests (whiteflies, aphids)
- Strawberries - Increase root rot risk in kale (lost two rows to this combo)
- Pole Beans - Create too much shade; stunt kale growth
- Mustard Greens - Concentrate pests that attack all brassicas
That gorgeous butterfly bush? It'll bring cabbage whites straight to your kale. Beautiful but destructive. Learned that the hard way when my kale turned into caterpillar buffet.
The Shade Problem
Kale needs at least 6 hours of sun. Companion plants that grow taller than 18 inches will cause problems. I once planted sunflowers near my kale patch - total disaster. The kale became leggy and weak. Now I stick to low-growing companions.
Step-by-Step: Planting Your Kale Companions
Timing matters with growing kale companion plants. Get this wrong and you'll have empty spaces or overcrowding. Here's what works in my Zone 6 garden:
| Companion Plant | When to Plant | Days to Maturity | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garlic | Fall or early spring | 90 days | Plant cloves before kale transplants |
| Nasturtiums | After last frost | 35-52 days | Direct sow near established kale |
| Dill | Every 3 weeks from spring to summer | 40-60 days | Self-seeds readily (almost too well!) |
| Marigolds | 2 weeks before kale transplant | 45-60 days | Start indoors for earlier bloom |
Soil prep is non-negotiable. Kale and companions both hate soggy feet. My heavy clay soil used to drown everything. Now I:
1. Dig in 3 inches of compost before planting
2. Create raised mounds for better drainage
3. Test pH (kale likes 6.0-7.5)
Adding greensand helps kale's mineral uptake too. Saw a noticeable difference in leaf thickness after adding it last fall.
Container Companions
Limited space? I grow kale in 15-gallon fabric pots with:
- 3 kale plants
- 6 garlic cloves around edges
- 2 nasturtium plants spilling over sides
Watering needs increase with multiple plants. I stick my finger 2 inches down - if dry, they get a thorough soak.
Pest Control Through Companion Planting
Those perfect kale leaves at the store? Probably sprayed weekly. With companion plants, I've reduced pests without chemicals. Key strategies:
- Cabbage moths: Plant rosemary nearby (the scent confuses them)
- Aphids: Grow nasturtium trap crops 3 feet away
- Flea beetles: Interplant with mint (in pots to contain roots)
- Cabbage worms: Install dill plants to attract paper wasps
Does this eliminate pests completely? No. But last season I only hand-picked about 10 caterpillars all summer versus daily hunts before.
Why do my companion plants sometimes fail?
Happened to me too. Usually three reasons:
1) Poor timing - Companions weren't established before pests arrived
2) Wrong variety - Not all marigolds repel pests equally
3) Overcrowding - Plants competing for light and nutrients
Beyond Pest Control: Hidden Benefits
Growing kale companion plants isn't just about bug wars. My favorite bonuses:
| Companion | Unexpected Benefit |
|---|---|
| Chamomile | Improves kale flavor (milder leaves) |
| Borage | Boosts pollination for flowering kale |
| Beets | Loosens soil for better kale root growth |
| Celery | Reduces cabbage aphids through scent masking |
I was skeptical about chamomile improving flavor until a blind taste test. The kale grown near chamomile was noticeably sweeter. Kids actually ate it willingly!
The Pollinator Factor
Kale doesn't need pollinators to grow leaves, but companions like borage and calendula bring bees that help other garden crops. My squash production doubled after adding more flowering companions near the kale patch.
Seasonal Companion Planting Strategies
Your companion plan should change with seasons:
Spring Planting
Focus on pest prevention:
- Garlic around perimeter
- Dill seedlings between kale starts
- Early marigolds from transplants
I plant kale starts when dill is 4 inches tall. The dill flowers just as cabbage moths appear.
Summer Maintenance
Rotate trap crops:
- Replace bolted dill with basil
- Sow new nasturtium seeds monthly
- Add zinnias for additional hoverfly attraction
In peak heat, I plant shiso (perilla) near kale. Its fuzzy leaves deter pests and it handles heat better than basil.
Fall Overwintering
Plant companions for winter protection:
- Clover living mulch (fixes nitrogen)
- Rosemary shrubs nearby (survives mild winters)
- Garlic planted in October
The garlic sprouts early, protecting spring kale from pests before other companions emerge.
Solving Common Kale Companion Problems
Even with companions, issues pop up. Here's my troubleshooting guide:
| Problem | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Kale growing slower than companions | Nutrient competition | Side-dress with compost tea |
| Companions attracting MORE pests | Wrong companion species | Remove offending plants immediately |
| All plants looking weak | Overcrowding | Remove every 3rd plant |
| Pests ignoring trap crops | Trap crops too young | Add yellow sticky traps temporarily |
That last one happened with my first nasturtiums. Planted them too late - pests went straight for kale. Now I start trap crops 2 weeks before transplanting kale.
Can I plant kale with other brassicas?
Technically yes, but I avoid it. When I planted kale next to broccoli, flea beetles demolished both. Better to separate brassicas with companion buffers like onions or herbs.
My Companion Planting Experiment Results
Last year I tested companion effectiveness in four 4x4 beds:
| Bed Setup | Pest Damage Rating (1-10) | Kale Yield (lbs) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kale alone | 8 (heavy damage) | 3.2 | Constant pest battles |
| Kale + marigolds | 6 | 4.1 | Less root issues |
| Kale + dill + nasturtiums | 4 | 5.7 | Few caterpillars |
| Kale + garlic + dill + nasturtiums | 2 | 6.9 | Healthiest plants |
The winning combo produced nearly double the yield with minimal intervention. The only downside? Garlic made crop rotation trickier. This year I'm trying leeks instead for easier rotation.
Companion Planting in Small Spaces
No room for multiple companions? Prioritize based on your biggest threat:
- Cabbage worms → plant dill
- Aphids → plant nasturtiums
- Poor soil → plant beans nearby
In my balcony garden, single pots with kale + garlic chives work surprisingly well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Kale Companion Plants
What's the absolute worst companion for kale?
Strawberries. Their roots encourage fungal diseases that attack kale roots. Lost two plantings before I figured this out.
Can I plant basil with kale?
Yes! Basil repels thrips and improves flavor. But give them space - basil roots spread aggressively. I keep them 12 inches apart.
How close should companion plants be to kale?
Depends on the plant:
- Herbs: 6-10 inches
- Garlic/onions: 4-6 inches
- Trap crops (nasturtiums): 8-12 inches
- Tall flowers: minimum 18 inches
Closer isn't better. Overcrowded plants compete for light and nutrients.
Do marigolds really work against pests?
French marigolds (Tagetes patula) do. African marigolds? Not so much. Plant the right type or you'll waste garden space.
Can companions prevent clubroot disease?
Partially. Spinach and chard as companions reduce clubroot incidence by making soil less hospitable to the pathogen. Still need crop rotation though.
Advanced Companion Strategies
Once you've mastered basics, try these pro techniques:
Succession Trap Cropping
Plant sacrificial crops in stages:
1. Nasturtiums 2 weeks before kale
2. Radishes when kale is established
3. Mustard greens as fall trap crop
This keeps pests distracted through the entire season. Saw a 70% reduction in kale damage using this method.
Living Mulches
Replace straw with low-growing companions:
- Creeping thyme
- Clover
- Chamomile
They suppress weeds while attracting beneficials. My thyme patch hosts predatory beetles that eat flea beetle larvae.
Companion planting isn't about perfection. Last summer rabbits ate my bean companions - kale survived because garlic remained. Even partial protection helps. The key is observing and adjusting. What works in my Pennsylvania garden might need tweaking in yours. Start small, track results, and build your plant community season by season.
Still worried about cabbage worms? Try this combo that never fails me: kale surrounded by garlic, with nasturtiums downwind. The garlic repels while nasturtiums trap. Works like nature's force field. Happy growing!
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