What plants to plant next to peas: secrets of growing together

16.01.2024 02:20

Peas are able to saturate the soil with nitrogen, repel pests and create a favorable microclimate for their neighbors.

Anastasia Kovrizhnykh , an expert of the online publication "BelNovosti", an agronomist and landscape designer, told us which plants should be planted together with peas.

But what plants can be planted next to peas to get the most benefit from this union?

Why Peas Get Along Well With Other Plants

Peas are legumes that have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil with the help of bacteria living on their roots.

Nitrogen is one of the main nutrients for plants, which is involved in the synthesis of proteins and chlorophyll.

Thanks to this, peas enrich the soil with nitrogen and make it more fertile for other plants.

In addition, peas have a dense green mass that creates shade and moisture in the garden bed, which has a beneficial effect on the growth and development of other plants, especially those that do not like the sun and drought.

Peas also release phytoncides into the air - substances that suppress the development of pathogenic microorganisms and repel pests such as aphids, Colorado beetles and others.

What plants are best to grow together with peas?

Among good neighbors for peas, the following crops can be distinguished.

Cucumbers

They love the shade and moisture that the dense greenery of the peas provides. In addition, the peas protect the cucumbers from pests that can damage their leaves and fruits.

Carrot

It does not compete with peas for nutrition, as it has short roots that do not penetrate deep into the soil. And peas, in turn, help improve the taste and aroma of carrots, making them sweet and juicy.

Potato

It is also not afraid of the shade of peas and receives additional nitrogen from them, which contributes to the formation of large and high-quality tubers. And peas are protected from the Colorado potato beetle thanks to the smell of potato tops, which repels this pest.

Radish

It grows quickly and manages to ripen before the peas take up all the space in the garden bed. And the peas help the radish not to overgrow and become woody, preserving its juiciness and pungency.

Corn

It serves as a support for peas, which can twine around its stems and cling to its leaves. Corn receives nitrogen from peas, which improves its nutrition and increases its yield. And peas retain moisture in the soil and prevent corn, which likes moist soil, from drying out.

Beans

It also belongs to the legume family and gets along well with peas. They mutually enrich the soil with nitrogen and protect each other from pests. Beans and peas can be of different varieties and colors, which creates a beautiful and varied look in the garden bed.

Spicy herbs

They add flavor to the peas and repel insects that can damage their leaves and flowers. Dill, basil, mint and rosemary are especially good and can also be used in cooking to prepare various dishes from peas and other vegetables.