Top Companion Plants for Kale: What to Grow Together

Picture this: you’ve been growing kale successfully in your vegetable garden for several seasons, enjoying its lush leaves in everything from salads to smoothies. But this year, something is different. Your kale crop isn’t thriving as it once did, and common kale pests like aphids, cabbage worms, and flea beetles are wreaking havoc on your plants.

The issue could be a lack of crop rotation or an underutilization of companion planting. While crop rotation prevents soil depletion and reduces the buildup of pests and diseases, companion planting is a powerful strategy to create a healthy garden bed.

This article will focus on companion planting kale to improve its growth, deter garden pests, and boost overall vegetable garden productivity.

What is Companion Planting?

Companion planting is a time-tested gardening method that involves growing two or more plants together for mutual benefits. These plants work in harmony to create a healthier garden ecosystem. This practice offers a variety of benefits that make it a valuable strategy for growing kale.

1. Improved Growth and Flavor: Herbs like dill and chamomile release compounds that naturally enhance the growth and flavor of kale, making your harvest resilient and delicious.

2. Better Soil Health and Nutrients: Nitrogen-fixing plants like bush beans enrich the soil with essential nutrients, improving drainage, aeration, and long-term soil vitality for kale and other plants.

3. Natural Pest Control: Pairing kale with pest-repellent plants like marigolds or nasturtiums helps deter aphids, cabbage worms, and other harmful insects without relying on chemical pesticides.

4. Ground Cover and Shade: Low-growing plants like oregano act as a natural mulch to retain soil moisture, while taller plants like sunflowers provide essential shade for kale during hot weather.

5. Support and Protection: Kale can also protect smaller companion plants by providing shade while low-growing plants suppress weeds and protect soil moisture.

With these benefits, companion planting doesn’t simply help kale thrive—it promotes healthier vegetable crops, creating a balanced and productive garden.

Natural Pest Control with Companion Plants

One of the key advantages of companion planting kale is natural pest control. Common kale pests such as cabbage worms and flea beetles can devastate a kale crop. However, strategic plant pairings can:

• Repel pests: Aromatic herbs like dill and mint deter insects like aphids and flea beetles.

• Attract beneficial insects: Flowering plants like sweet alyssum lure parasitic wasps and hoverflies that prey on garden pests.

• Improve plant resilience: Healthy soil, enriched by nitrogen-fixing plants, makes kale less vulnerable to stress and infestations.

Best Kale Companion Plants

When carefully paired with complementary plants, kale thrives and contributes to the health of your garden ecosystem.

Vegetables

• Bush Beans: Fix nitrogen in the soil, improving its nutrient profile for kale.

• Radishes: Act as trap crops, attracting flea beetles away from kale.

• Carrots: Loosen compacted soil, improving drainage and root growth.

• Beets: Enrich the soil with nutrients while deterring pests.

• Cucumbers: Provide shade and help retain soil moisture around taller kale plants.

Herbs

• Dill: Attracts pollinators and parasitic wasps that prey on cabbage worms.

• Cilantro: Draws hoverflies, natural predators of aphids.

• Basil: Enhances kale’s flavor and repels pests like thrips.

• Mint: Suppresses weeds and deters common kale pests like aphids.

• Parsley: Provides nutrients to the soil and deters harmful insects.

Flowers

• Marigolds: Repel nematodes and attract beneficial insects like ladybugs.

• Nasturtiums: Serve as trap crops, drawing aphids away from kale.

• Sweet Alyssum: Attracts predatory insects that control pests.

• Calendula: Improves soil nutrients and deters garden pests.

• Sunflowers: Offer shade and retain soil moisture, benefiting kale during warm weather.

Kale Companion Plants to Avoid

On the other hand, not all plants are good neighbors for kale. Avoid planting kale near these crops:

• Other Brassicas: Plants like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower share the same pests and diseases, increasing the risk of infestation.

• Tomatoes: Compete for nutrients and water, stunting kale’s growth.

• Strawberries: Attract pests like slugs that damage kale.

• Mustard: Its strong scent can draw more pests to kale.

• Climbing Beans: Can overshadow kale, blocking sunlight and reducing airflow.

Companion Planting Strategies for Kale

Maximize the benefits of companion planting for kale by choosing plant pairings that strategically address its specific needs. Pair kale with tall plants like sunflowers or corn to provide shade during hot weather, protecting it from heat stress. Aromatic herbs such as dill and cilantro repel common pests while attracting beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps, offering natural pest control.

Additionally, incorporating soil-enhancing vegetables like carrots and beets will help improve drainage and replenish nutrients, promoting healthy growth. Pest-attracting flowers like nasturtiums can serve as decoys, luring harmful insects away from kale. For added protection, consider growing kale in raised beds to ensure proper soil drainage and reduce pest risks. Overall, these companion planting strategies create a thriving, balanced garden ecosystem for your kale and other crops.

Kale Plant Care Requirements

In addition to companion planting, proper care is key to helping kale thrive. Meeting its basic needs ensures healthy growth and a bountiful harvest. Here’s how to provide the essential care your kale crop requires:

Soil: Kale thrives in rich, well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. While optional, a soil test can help assess nutrient content and pH levels, allowing you to make precise amendments to maintain an optimal pH range of 6.0 to 7.5.

Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade, especially in cooler climates.

Watering: Maintain consistent watering to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Overwatering can attract pests and cause root rot.

Fertilizing: Use a balanced fertilizer high in nitrogen, like NutriPod fertilizer for veggies. With its 5-8-10 NPK ratio, NutriPod accelerates growth by up to two times, providing steady nutrients for up to 45 days. Apply it during transplanting to support plant health and a bountiful kale harvest.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best companion plants for kale? Bush beans, dill, and marigolds are excellent options for enriching soil, repelling pests, and attracting beneficial insects.

2. How do I plant kale with companion plants? Position companion plants in nearby rows or interspersed among the kale to maximize their benefits.

3. What are the benefits of companion planting for kale? Companion planting kale improves growth, deters pests, enriches soil, and increases yields.

4. How do I care for kale plants? For optimal growth, provide nutrient-rich soil, consistent watering, and balanced vegetable fertilizers like NutriPod.

5. What are some common pests that target kale? Cabbage worms, flea beetles, and aphids are the most frequent threats to kale crops.

Final Thoughts

Pairing kale with plants that enrich soil, repel pests, and improve growth will result in healthier kale crops and higher yields. Start experimenting with companion planting today to create a sustainable garden bed that supports all your vegetable crops.