From fresh salsa or rich pasta sauce to classic side dishes, burgers and sandwiches, tomatoes are a beautiful and versatile vegetable. In most areas, tomatoes only bloom for a few months, but a gardener at Armstrong Garden Center (@armstronggarden) shares some smart tips for extending the life of your tomato plants.
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On Instagram, the gardener explains how to use them to extend the tomato season by creating an attractive and functional collection of flowers and plants to support tomato plants in a large container garden.
According to WVU Extension companion planting, "is the practice of intercropping multiple types of crops to increase crop yields."
This method encourages close planting of crops to achieve greater benefits such as pest control, soil regeneration and improved crop yields. Armstrong Garden Centers explains, "There are three types of companion plants that are good for your tomatoes," including non-competing flowers, herbs and vegetables.
The flowers "attract beneficial pollinators and predators to your garden," says one gardener, and "basil repels insects by masking the tomato's odor."
In addition to choosing companion plants, choosing tomato varieties like Oregon Spring that tolerate cool nights will allow you to enjoy fresh-picked tomatoes in the fall.
How does this help?
Planting compan is an ancient practice that has been around for centuries. Early North American farmers increased their productivity by growing squash, beans, and corn, known as the "Three Sisters," a sustainable food source for early civilizations.
According to the USDA, plants feed and protect each other, resulting in mutual benefits for each plant. The corn stalks act as a shaker for climbing corn vines that enrich the soil, while the broad leaves of the squash mulch the soil and reduce the spread of weeds. Gardeners use this method on various crops, including tomatoes.
One of the most famous companions of tomatoes is basil, a fragrant plant that repels pests, and tomatoes protect the delicate leaves of basil. Flowers like alyssum and nasturtium add color to your garden while keeping pests like aphids at bay. Non-competing vegetables such as lettuce increase the productive area of your garden without taking valuable resources from other plants.
Other useful plants to grow around tomatoes are petunias, marigolds, cilantro, parsley, sage and asparagus. Choosing a wide variety of companion plants will create a "productive and beautiful" garden all season long.
What does everyone say?
Companion planting is suitable for a variety of garden settings, such as a traditional garden or raised bed, reviewers praise Armstrong Garden Centers' collection of attractive plants.
"Great combination, love the tomatoes, greens and colorful flowers," said one Instagram user.
Other commenters have shared their success with partner planting. "I will grow basil and parsley with my roses," replied one of them, "and I will not be a pest."
To learn more about tomatoes and other vegetable crops, follow experts on social media and community gardens or contact your local Extension office.
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