What Grows Good With Corn

If you’re planting corn this season, you’re probably wondering what grows good with corn. Choosing the right neighbors for your corn can make a huge difference in your garden’s health and yield. This practice, called companion planting, is a smart way to work with nature. It helps with pest control, improves soil, and can even make your corn taste better. Let’s look at the best plants to grow alongside your corn stalks.

The classic combination for corn is known as the “Three Sisters.” This ancient method, developed by Indigenous communities, pairs corn, beans, and squash. Each plant supports the others in a perfect partnership. The corn provides a tall stalk for the beans to climb. The beans add nitrogen to the soil, which feeds the corn. And the large leaves of the squash spread across the ground, acting as a living mulch to suppress weeds and keep soil moist. It’s a brilliant system that still works perfectly today.

Top Companion Plants for Corn

Beyond the Three Sisters, many other plants make excellent companions for corn. These plants help by attracting beneficial insects, repelling pests, or improving growing conditions.

Beans (Pole & Bush): As mentioned, beans are a top choice. They fix nitrogen from the air into the soil, providing a natural fertilizer for the hungry corn plants.
Squash & Pumpkins: Their broad leaves shade the soil, conserving water and preventing weeds that would compete with corn roots.
Cucumbers: They can do well with corn, using the stalks for light support. Just ensure they get enough sun lower down.
Peas: Like beans, peas are legumes that add nitrogen to the soil. Plant them early, as they fade before corn gets to tall.
Melons: Similar to squash, melons can use the corn patch as a living mulch ground cover. Their vines sprawl between the stalks.
Sunflowers: These can act as a sturdy trellis for lighter beans and attract pollinators. Be careful not to plant them to close, as they can shade corn.
White Clover: A low-growing living mulch planted between rows, it fixes nitrogen and attracts beneficial insects.

Plants for Pest Control and Pollination

Corn has a few common pests, like corn earworms and aphids. Certain companion plants can help manage these problems naturally.

Dill, Cilantro & Parsley: These herbs attract parasitic wasps and other predatory insects that target corn pests.
Nasturtiums: A fantastic trap crop, they lure aphids away from your corn. Their bright flowers also attract pollinators.
Marigolds: Their roots release a substance that can deter nematodes in the soil. They also repel various insects with their scent.
Borage: This herb is a powerhouse for attracting bees and other pollinators, which is crucial for good corn pollination.
Mint: Its strong scent can deter pests like ants and mice. Best to plant it in a pot near the corn, as mint is very invasive.

Plants to Avoid Planting Near Corn

Just as some plants help, others can hinder your corn’s growth. Avoid planting these in the same bed.

Tomatoes: They are heavy feeders that compete directly with corn for nutrients. They also share a susceptibility to corn earworms and a fungal disease called tomato blight.
Celery: It doesn’t get along well with corn and can attract the same pests.
Cabbage Family (Kale, Broccoli, etc.): These can inhibit the growth of corn, and corn can attract pests that bother cabbage.
Fennel: It’s allelopathic, meaning it releases chemicals that can stunt the growth of many plants, including corn.

How to Plant Your Corn Companion Garden

Planning is key for a successful polyculture garden. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to setting up your corn patch with companions.

Step 1: Prepare the Soil

Corn needs rich, well-drained soil. Work in plenty of compost or aged manure before planting. Since corn is wind-pollinated, plant it in blocks of at least four rows rather than one long row. This ensures the pollen can fall onto neighboring silks.

Step 2: Plant the Corn First

Sow your corn seeds directly in the garden after the last frost, when soil has warmed. Plant seeds about 1 inch deep and 10-12 inches apart in rows that are 2-3 feet apart. Wait until the corn is at least 4-6 inches tall before adding most companions.

Step 3: Add the Companions

Beans: When corn is a few inches tall, plant bean seeds at the base of each stalk. The corn will be ready for the beans to climb.
Squash/Pumpkins: At the same time as the beans, plant squash seeds in hills around the perimeter of the corn block or in between every few rows.
Other Companions: Herbs like dill or flowers like nasturtiums can be sown along the edges of the block or in any sunny gaps.

Step 4: Ongoing Care

Water deeply at the base of plants, especially as corn begins to tassel. The squash leaves will help retain this moisture. Weed carefully around the young plants until the squash vines and other ground covers take over. Watch for pests and hand-remove any you see.

Common Questions About Corn Companions

Can I plant peppers with corn?

It’s generally not recommended. Peppers need full sun, and tall corn can shade them to much. They also don’t offer any significant benefit to eachother.

What is the best mulch for a corn companion garden?

Using living plants like squash or clover is the best mulch in this system. If you need to add more, use straw or shredded leaves, which keep soil moist and add organic matter as they break down.

Do I still need to fertilize if I plant beans with corn?

Yes, you should. Corn is a very heavy feeder. While beans add nitrogen, they may not provide enough for the entire season. A side dressing of compost or a balanced organic fertilizer when corn is knee-high is still a good idea.

How far apart should companion plants be from corn?

For beans, plant right at the corn’s base. For sprawling plants like squash, plant hills about 4-5 feet apart around the corn block so they have room to spread without smothering the corn seedlings early on.

Companion planting with corn is a rewarding way to garden. It creates a diverse, resilient ecosystem in your backyard. By choosing plants that support each other, you’ll save time on pest control and fertilizing. Your garden will be healthier, more productive, and more interesting to look at. Give these combinations a try this season and see the benefits for yourself.