It’s hard to believe but I am already thinking ahead to my fall garden and getting another round of peas in before gardening season is over.
In the interest of keeping companion planting simple, I have made a list of companion plants that go well with peas.
For me, it’s just simpler than pouring over a chart. {Though, if charts are your thing, I did make one of those a few years back}.
Whatever your preference, chart, or list, I aim to please.
If you are planting peas this year in your garden, here’s a list of plants that will play nice {some will even help the peas along}:
Companion Planting for Peas
Beans. Beans, like peas, provide nitrogen to the soil. They also have similar sun and water needs.
Carrots. Carrots don’t go around looking for trouble and will play nicely with your peas. Plus, as they grow, carrots will loosen the soil, giving the peas more access to water and ventilation.
Corn. If you plan on planting a fall crop of vining peas {like sugar snap, snow pea or some shelling types} plant them near corn. Corn provides a little shade for peas planted in the late summer as well as a handy trellis to climb up.
Cucumbers. Cucumbers love nitrogen and will benefit from being planted next to peas as peas provide nitrogen to the soil.
Early Potatoes. Potatoes help deter Mexican bean beetles, which can attack legume {bean and pea} plants. Plus, peas add lots of nitrogen to the soil which potatoes LOVE.
Radishes. Radishes help deter beetles and other pests in the garden.
Turnips. Turnips can help to loosen the soil and they make a good companion when you sow peas in cooler weather.
Beets. Think of beets as Switzerland to your peas. They don’t really provide much by way of defense, but they don’t cause any trouble either. Plus, they help loosen the soil around the base of the peas = loose soil = more water and more ventilation.
Marigolds. Marigolds are the golden child of companion planting. They deter pests, and they look good doing it. Everyone should have some marigolds growing in their garden! Plus you can use them for natural dyes. But that’s a whole different post. 😉
How about you, do you have any favorite pea companions? What do YOU plant with your peas?
~Mavis
Jennifer says
I just planted a fall crop of peas and radishes. Hoping I started them early enough this year!
Angie says
I will be pulling most of my garden up this weekend and planting the next crop in its place. Peas are definitely on my list as we had a great harvest from them earlier this year but I will put them in a shadier spot to help them as we still have some dog days of summer left in Georgia.
I will sow seeds for lots of field peas, cabbage, bok choy, lima beans, green beans, broccoli, collard greens, mustard greens, spinach, carrots and lots more zinnias and marigolds. I also have some sunflowers that I will throw in for good measure.
I am hoping that the heat will help many of these seeds to get started and with careful watering and some cooler temperatures in the next month they will fair well for us.
Gardening is my favorite!!!!
Rosemary says
I have not planted any peas – but I sure do love eating fresh peas! I do companion planting and succession planting. Just planted my seeds – they should be ready to harvest by the first week of October. Our weather is still warm then, so I am hoping this works out. I believe succession planting is important as it prevents certain nutrients from being completely depleted in the soil. If I plant tomatoes in a certain spot one season, the next season I will plant green beans in that spot. Tomatoes need a lot of nitrogen, and they use it up in the soil. Green beans (among others like peas) put nitrogen back into the soil. I created a notebook that lists my plants, their companion plants and their succession plants along with my notes of what to do and not to do. No way I can remember all those details . . . ha ha ha.
Beverly says
Dear Mavis,
I like your companion planting chart. I’m a beginner gardner, and I need all the help I can get.
I’m challenged with garden placement. The best place is where our septic lines are laid. So, I’m looking at containers and raised beds. Any suggestions/advice?
Thank you.