Arugula is a peppery green that grows fast and brings big flavor to your salads. Choosing the right arugula companion plants can make your garden even more productive and healthy. This guide will show you the optimal garden pairings for this leafy green, helping you reduce pests, improve growth, and make the best use of your space.
Companion planting is like creating a good neighborhood for your vegetables. Some plants help each other by attracting beneficial insects or improving the soil. Others can actually get in the way. For arugula, smart pairings mean you get larger, cleaner harvests with less work from you.
Arugula Companion Plants
Let’s look at the best plants to grow next to your arugula. These partners offer specific benefits, from pest control to shade.
Best Companions for Pest Control
Arugula can sometimes attract pests like flea beetles and aphids. The right companions act as natural bodyguards.
* Herbs: Strong-smelling herbs are excellent. Plant dill, cilantro, and mint (in a container to control its spread) nearby. Their scent confuses pests looking for your arugula.
* Alliums: Plants like garlic, onions, and chives are powerful pest deterrents. Their smell masks the scent of arugula, protecting it.
* Nasturtiums: This is a classic companion plant. Nasturtiums often act as a “trap crop,” attracting aphids away from your arugula. They also repel other bugs.
Companions for Shade and Space Efficiency
Arugula prefers cooler weather and can bolt (go to seed) quickly in hot sun. Taller plants can provide welcome shade.
* Bush Beans: These fix nitrogen in the soil, which arugula loves. Their foliage creates dappled shade in the afternoon.
* Lettuce and Spinach: These have similar needs and growth habits. Planting them together creates a lush, leafy bed that conserves soil moisture for all.
* Cucumbers (on a trellis): When grown vertically, cucumbers provide shade without competing for ground space. Just ensure the trellis is north of the arugula to avoid too much shade.
Soil-Improving Companions
Some plants add nutrients back into the earth, giving your arugula a natural boost.
* Beans and Peas: All legumes add nitrogen to the soil. This nutrient promotes the leafy green growth you want in arugula.
* Carrots: While carrots don’t add nutrients, they break up the soil as they grow. This improves soil structure for arugula’s shallow roots.
Plants to Avoid Near Arugula
Not every plant is a good neighbor. Keep arugula away from these:
* Strawberries: They can compete heavily for nutrients and may make the soil too acidic for arugula over time.
* Other Brassicas: Avoid planting it with close relatives like cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. They share the same pests and diseases, making an easy target in one area.
Planning Your Arugula Companion Garden
Knowing what to plant is half the battle. Now, let’s put it into practice. Here’s a simple step-by-step plan.
Step 1: Choose Your Goal
Decide what you need most. Is it pest control? Shade? Soil health? Pick companions from that category. For example, if flea beetles are a problem, start with herbs and alliums.
Step 2: Sketch Your Layout
Draw a quick sketch of your garden bed. Remember:
* Place taller plants (like trellised cucumbers) on the north side.
* Interplant quick-growing arugula between slower plants.
* Use herbs as border plants around the bed.
Step 3: Timing Your Planting
Arugula grows quickly. You can sow it:
* Before taller plants like tomatoes, to harvest before they shade it out completely.
* Alongside similar-speed plants like lettuce.
* After harvesting an early crop, as a fast follow-up.
How to Plant Arugula with Companions
Follow these simple steps for success.
1. Prepare your soil. Arugula likes well-drained soil with some compost mixed in.
2. Plant your primary companions first. For example, plant your bush bean seeds or onion sets.
3. Sow arugula seeds in short rows or blocks between your companion plants. Cover lightly with soil.
4. Water gently but thoroughly. Keep the soil moist until seeds sprout.
5. Thin arugula seedlings to about 3-4 inches apart once they have a few leaves. You can eat the thinnings!
Managing Your Companion Planting Bed
Good maintenance keeps everything thriving. Arugula has shallow roots, so be careful when weeding around it. A light layer of straw or grass clippings as mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Water at the base of plants to keep leaves dry and prevent disease.
Watch for pests even with companions. Hand-pick any you see early. The beauty of companion planting is it reduces problems, but you still need to pay attention. If one plant becomes diseased, remove it quickly to protect the others.
Succession Planting with Arugula
Arugula is perfect for succession planting. This means planting new seeds every 2-3 weeks for a continuous harvest. Here’s how to use companions with succession:
* In early spring, plant arugula with peas.
* For your next sowing, pair it with dill and lettuce.
* In late summer for a fall crop, plant it where your early beans were, to use the nitrogen they left behind.
This method keeps your garden productive all season long. It also helps confuse pests that might be waiting for your crops.
Common Problems and Solutions
Even with companions, issues can arise. Here’s how to handle them.
* Arugula is Bolting (Flowering): This means it’s getting too hot or stressed. The leaves turn bitter. Solution: Harvest immediately. For next time, ensure it has afternoon shade from a companion plant and keep the soil consistently moist.
* Holes in Leaves (Flea Beetles): These tiny beetles are a common nuisance. Solution: Use floating row covers when plants are young. Strengthen your companion planting with more herbs like mint and thyme.
* Yellowing Leaves: This could be overwatering, poor drainage, or a nutrient issue. Solution: Check that soil isn’t soggy. Ensure you have a soil-improving companion like beans nearby for future plantings.
FAQ: Arugula Companion Planting
Can I plant arugula with tomatoes?
Yes, but with caution. Arugula can be planted in the shade of tomato plants in early summer. However, harvest the arugula before the tomatoes get too large and take over all the light and water.
What flowers are good companions for arugula?
Nasturtiums are the top choice for pest management. Marigolds also help repel nematodes in the soil and add color.
How close should I plant companions?
Follow the spacing guidelines for each plant. For arugula, that usually means plants 3-4 inches apart. You can plant companions in adjacent rows or intersperse them, as long as each plant has enough room for its roots and leaves.
Can I grow arugula in a container with companions?
Absolutely. Choose a wide, shallow pot. Plant arugula with herbs like cilantro or chives. Just make sure the container has good drainage holes.
Does arugula make a good companion for other plants?
Yes! Arugula’s quick growth can provide a living mulch, shading soil for slower-germinating seeds like carrots. Its flowers also attract beneficial insects to your garden.
Companion planting with arugula is a simple way to work with nature. By choosing the right neighbors, you create a healthier, more resilient garden. You’ll spend less time dealing with problems and more time harvesting those spicy, delicious leaves. Start with one or two companion pairs, see how they perform in your garden, and adjust from there. The best garden plans are often the ones that evolve with a little observation and experience.