Plants You Can Intercrop With Tomatoes To Maximize Yield & Protect Soil Health

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  • Опубликовано: 24 июн 2019
  • Intercropping has many benefits. But the big one is protecting the soil and growing more food in less space. As a high intensity organic gardener this can be a huge asset to us. These are the plants you can plant with tomatoes that make excellent intercropping choices. Check out our new clothing line! http:www.freshpickedapparel.com

Комментарии • 2,2 тыс.

  • @unacceptablefringemajority251
    @unacceptablefringemajority251 2 года назад +438

    Intercrop with tomatoes:
    -beans (sun)
    -herbs: *thyme, sage, oregano (shade)
    -lettuce (shade)
    -radishes (shade)
    -root vegetables: rutabaga, parsnip, carrot, beets
    -flowers: *marigold, viola (shade), lavender (sun)
    -onions

  • @caddycraft6823
    @caddycraft6823 2 года назад +683

    Great episode! companion planting is ages old and practiced by Native Americans, so awesome job here on a very important gardening practice, it even works in bucket and large pots (just watch the crowding and plant size when you choose what to put in). In the "Tomato Patch" I like to use herbs between bushes, mixed root veg (we mix our root veg, carrot, turnip, radish, beets all together, not planned rows, grandpa said it reduces pests and fungus, probably because the root length is staggered and varried preventing spore cluster populations and parasite colonies) on the long sides and I put alysum and marigolds in the corners. so a bit of everything! I generally have very few pest issues, I do not bug spray other than vinegar, or baking soda water. I pick my heaviest tomatoes before a rainstorm to prevent splitting (grandma says, lol)...Hope the old-school info helps someone

    • @mckbnb
      @mckbnb 2 года назад +15

      I would love some examples of what kind of companion planting you do in your buckets/pots! (My potatoes will be in 10-gal grow bags this year, and my lettuce is always in deck boxes! Everything else is in raised beds! Thanks for any info!!

    • @beatesetzer2441
      @beatesetzer2441 2 года назад +22

      I can't deal with too much order. I am setting up a bed first time with rosemary, basil 2 kinds. Tomato. Sage.peppers. Celery. Parsley shaded by the bigger bushes. I am adding more until its full.

    • @jcalexander5530
      @jcalexander5530 2 года назад +12

      I love this..mixing the root veg.

    • @cynthiaamoroso4070
      @cynthiaamoroso4070 2 года назад +1

      @@mckbnb 1À

    • @cynthiaamoroso4070
      @cynthiaamoroso4070 2 года назад

      @@beatesetzer2441 11111111aaaaa

  • @lindalober626
    @lindalober626 3 года назад +218

    What a great video, I just built my raised beds and have been skeptical about putting my tomato plants in the bed. Then the thought that I can put lettuce and onions in with them, I am so excited. I am a new gardener, my husband Steven was the one with the green thumb. He died of small cell lung cancer 5 years ago. I have been playing in the garden since he has been gone! Prayers all the garden will be something that will produce! Hey I had volunteer tomatoes from my little compost bin, should be interesting what they turn out to be. There were three different tomato plants in there, guess I will call them the Lober tomatoes. Thanks again for sharing, always open for new ideas keep me in your prayers.

    • @birchlawpa
      @birchlawpa 2 года назад +28

      Sorry to hear of your loss. I'm sure your gardening adventures will keep your husband and his green thumb in your thoughts.

    • @8675-__
      @8675-__ 2 года назад +30

      Put carrots around the base of your tomato plants. There's actually a book called " Carrots love Tomatoes "
      It's a guide to companion planting

    • @peterburroughs9310
      @peterburroughs9310 2 года назад +10

      Sorry for your loss Linda.

    • @hamali8126
      @hamali8126 2 года назад +15

      I imagine your husband is so proud of you. It sounds as if you are standing strong. Keep up the great work.

    • @cowboyblacksmith
      @cowboyblacksmith 3 месяца назад +2

      Sorry for your loss of your husband. I lost my partner of 33 years to stage 4 small cell lung cancer. Less than a year from no idea to passing on, I know how difficult that was and is. I was the gardener and love that you're taking that up, you honor him well. Gardening gives a sense of purpose and nurturing that takes a hit after a huge loss. It's so nice to have something to care for with gardening and it's food for the soul.

  • @marydrew3568
    @marydrew3568 3 года назад +480

    My grandma grew the most bountiful 1/3 acre garden and she always grew marigolds at the base if her tomatoes because she said they were natural pest control. Her tomatoes always looked picture perfect.

    • @TheSunRiseKid
      @TheSunRiseKid 3 года назад +35

      I do the same thing. Actually I surround my entire garden with tons of marigolds!

    • @buckbenelli8
      @buckbenelli8 2 года назад +5

      Maybe bugs but not fungus.

    • @chancellorpalpatineakathes6130
      @chancellorpalpatineakathes6130 2 года назад +20

      What it does is attract bugs that eat the pests.

    • @cherylkygirl7181
      @cherylkygirl7181 2 года назад +24

      Having marigolds & other annuals also attract pollinators to the garden.

    • @Nancy-zk9dj
      @Nancy-zk9dj 2 года назад +7

      @@TheSunRiseKid
      Me too, everywhere! I love them anyway, but beneficial too 👌

  • @blueconversechucks
    @blueconversechucks 4 года назад +1468

    Skip to 4:30 if you have already decided to intercrop and you want to get straight to the good combinations. 🤠 MIgardener is fantastic!! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge! You have REALLY boosted my gardening this year.

    • @One-way
      @One-way 4 года назад +6

      blueconversechucks 😉

    • @peacebewithyou5702
      @peacebewithyou5702 4 года назад +32

      Lol thank you I'm on a short work break and this helped me

    • @One-way
      @One-way 4 года назад +3

      Bianca Jordan hope the rest of your week is AWESOME ( and fast !!!)

    • @ronswartzanonymous5573
      @ronswartzanonymous5573 4 года назад +91

      5:43 if you want to hear what plant's you can plant together.
      Intro is way to long.

    • @flyfishing1776
      @flyfishing1776 4 года назад +34

      VERY MUCH THANK YOU. he has a lot of unnecessary words

  • @TBOGES1
    @TBOGES1 4 года назад +1299

    Outside area- beans
    Inside area- thyme, sage, oregano, basil, lettuce, radishes, parsnips, carrots, beets

  • @jennifersteeves5482
    @jennifersteeves5482 Год назад +40

    I will be planting beets and carrots all around my tomatos in 2023 season! Great tips!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • @fancythat5136
    @fancythat5136 Год назад +16

    I planted Marigolds next to tomatoes last year. They were untouched by insects. I’m watching this video for the second time in 2024. Thanks for all you do for us. ❤😊

  • @culdesacgrocerygarden
    @culdesacgrocerygarden 5 лет назад +1124

    I have been planting marigolds, Basil and cilantro with my tomatoes for 30 years. Works great!

    • @Fattiapples
      @Fattiapples 5 лет назад +13

      M Callahan are marigolds good to have to repel bugs? I was reading that it could attract bugs like aphids etc which I don’t want more of. Teetering if I should plant some or not

    • @emtjenc
      @emtjenc 5 лет назад +362

      M Callahan I have basil planted with my tomatoes. I’m still trying to find mozzarella cheese plant starts. 🤔

    • @drive-byguitarlessons1858
      @drive-byguitarlessons1858 5 лет назад +114

      @@emtjenc They sell those at the free money store.

    • @justbeachy2031
      @justbeachy2031 5 лет назад +34

      @@Fattiapples I have not had trouble with marigolds attracting aphids but some people do add plants like this for the sacrifice. Just like in nature with the birds the male is much more colorful, not only to attract the female but stand out more to the prey so the female can sit on her eggs.

    • @culdesacgrocerygarden
      @culdesacgrocerygarden 4 года назад +12

      FattiApples I have been doing it for 30 years and it works for me!

  • @amwartwork
    @amwartwork 4 года назад +24

    Gardening teaches kids about life soooo much and should be compulsory at school

    • @heidimisfeldt5685
      @heidimisfeldt5685 2 года назад +3

      Absolutely 💯%. It would actually be something useful, very unlike some other subjects forced on the kids.
      Schools teach a lot of very useless subjects, in my opinion.

  • @CathyGoes
    @CathyGoes 3 года назад +16

    Really neat that you can plant basically all the nice Italian tomato sauce herbs in with the tomatoes.

    • @arizonajo2791
      @arizonajo2791 Год назад +1

      I was wondering if that’s why they did it. Most Italians don’t have huge lots.

    • @bigrixx
      @bigrixx Год назад

      I found that interesting too maybe there’s more to it.

  • @KateTheMama
    @KateTheMama 3 месяца назад +7

    I think you're the best "teacher" on RUclips. You don't just supply tips/advice, you also very clearly explain WHY your advice is good such that we can understand it. Thank you 👍

  • @TerriResists
    @TerriResists 2 года назад +126

    Hi. I teach ecosystem development and one key feature is companion planting especially in food gardens, but also in pollinator gardens. I look forward to going through your work. People don’t realize this method is simply preindustrial farming 🌻

    • @Jean-tx1fl
      @Jean-tx1fl 2 года назад +12

      We definitely need to get back to that.

  • @GregHMacLean
    @GregHMacLean 5 лет назад +472

    I’ve been consuming your videos voraciously since I started my first garden/plants this March. I really appreciate that you don’t talk down to your audience and really get into the “why” of gardening. It’s very enabling!

    • @Arkahm719
      @Arkahm719 5 лет назад +4

      I too have been inspired by his videos, but mostly I have been inspired by the Emperor!

    • @GregHMacLean
      @GregHMacLean 5 лет назад +5

      @@Arkahm719 Indeed all inspiration that can be drawn from humanity is a gift given to us by our Father atop the Golden Throne. The Emperor protects.

    • @mrJMD
      @mrJMD 5 лет назад +2

      @@GregHMacLean Great, a bunch of Forknife players. NERDS!
      Also, rumor has it your Emperor is a DIRTY HERETIC.

    • @GregHMacLean
      @GregHMacLean 5 лет назад +2

      Oh no! If that’s true we have to alert the proper authorities! Go tell the ordo hereticus exactly what you just told me!

    • @ashleynorman9816
      @ashleynorman9816 5 лет назад

      Same!

  • @8675-__
    @8675-__ 2 года назад +1

    I love the book " Carrots love Tomatoes " all about companion planting

  • @carollyncheeyen
    @carollyncheeyen Год назад +2

    Had good results with intercropping napa cabbage. The leaves open broadly and mulch the soil under the tomato plant.
    Beets unfortunately doesn't work well in our humid hot South East Asian weather.
    Marigold and zinnias didn't work so well. Dwarf sunflowers and cockscomb are too large. Still trying different flowers suited to our climate here. Basil worked well so far.

  • @carrielynnjensen
    @carrielynnjensen 4 года назад +20

    I plant marigolds and snap dragons around my tomato plants and never have an issue with pests/have giant yields from pollination. They're so helpful! Plus, you'll never need to buy marigold seeds again because they're insanely prolific.

  • @michaeldombrowski9193
    @michaeldombrowski9193 2 года назад +35

    A great concept. I would have immediately added purslane or portulaca on the very edge of the of the frame to hang down. It’s edible and goes well with things like scrambled eggs. It’s prolific and I once weeded 30 pounds of it from a 30 foot flower bed when the local health food store was selling it at $7/lb. This is the first video that I’ve ever seen where the comments were as useful as the presentation.

    • @wadestanton
      @wadestanton 2 года назад +1

      I like to pile the pulled purslane around the potatoes.

    • @ronyawade1039
      @ronyawade1039 Год назад

      ruclips.net/video/cYr2hB-KfQM/видео.html

    • @luvehunting
      @luvehunting Год назад

      Purslane is a great trap crop for horn worms

  • @synnveskaaheim8283
    @synnveskaaheim8283 2 года назад +16

    Gotta give a shout out to the flower Alyssum! SO easy to grow from seed, I've done it both ways - make seedlings and direct sow. Last year I simply spread a bunch of seeds all around my tomato plant, and they bloomed all the way till my first frost. Its a sweet scented, cover spreading flower, that attracts lots of beneficial insects.

  • @robynbuckleigh1143
    @robynbuckleigh1143 4 года назад +69

    Its not only companion planting but you have the explanation for why you can grow them together which made a lot if not more sense to me now. I will be excited to use this concept around tomatoes particularly.

  • @scottblick7095
    @scottblick7095 4 года назад +69

    Hello Luke. I live in Rotterdam, in the Netherlands and have a little balcony on the 9th floor of an apartment building that I use to grow flowering plants and vegetables. I really enjoy your videos and find the information very straight forward and clear to understand. Many thanks.

    • @RDB0
      @RDB0 2 года назад +1

      I also live in NL and love these practical tips and tricks!

    • @vernonfrance2974
      @vernonfrance2974 Год назад

      In the early seventies I raised borage on a balcony in Boston.

  • @jillbrown1026
    @jillbrown1026 4 года назад +224

    2019 I planted nasturtiums and cosmos in-between my tomato plant and dill in between my pepper plants. I didn't have a single bug on my peppers and no horn worms on my tomatoes.

    • @calmheart1782
      @calmheart1782 4 года назад +6

      Jill Brown ...Wow! I’m going to try that.

    • @pricklypear7516
      @pricklypear7516 4 года назад +19

      What's more, nasturtium leaves and blossoms are a marvelous salad addition. Yum!

    • @wendyburston3132
      @wendyburston3132 3 года назад +2

      Jill Brown. My nasturtiums grew too tall and wide too fit under our tomato plants. Did it create any moisture problems? Luke said air flow was important, just wondering how big your area was. If we make a raised 3x6 bed how closet to the tomato stems would the nasturtiums go?

    • @jillbrown1026
      @jillbrown1026 3 года назад +13

      @@wendyburston3132 I plant nasturtiums around the outside of the beds, Cosmos and dill in between the tomatoes. I plant tomatoes every two feet and keep my tomato plants bare from about 1-1/2’ from the ground.

    • @Onniesprairiegarden
      @Onniesprairiegarden 3 года назад +3

      Oo never thought of cosmos! They're one of my favorites. I bought some nasturtiums this year for the first time! Can't wait to try this

  • @happydays1336
    @happydays1336 2 года назад +10

    If you plant Cilantro and radishes around your brassicas you can eliminate aphids.
    Don't pull out the radishes and Cilantro until after a heavy frost even though they'll look untidy. If you pull them out before a killing frost, the aphids will come back overnight. (This is what happened to me.)
    I've interplanted radishes and Cilantro around my brassicas for several years and they've repelled 100% of the aphids.
    Nasturtiums didn't work. In fact, I had beautiful nasturtiums without a single aphid right next to broccoli and cauliflower plants that had so many aphids the plants looked like a green shag rug which made them inedible. There were too many aphids to wash off.

  • @birchlawpa
    @birchlawpa 2 года назад +25

    I know this video is 2 yrs. old, but thank you so much for the information! I have been inter-cropping basil for a few years, and it has worked out tremendously. But I haven't thought about many of the other plants that you have mentioned. Can't wait until next year.

    • @GuitarsAndSynths
      @GuitarsAndSynths 17 дней назад

      gardening is really a timeless skill and art

  • @ForgingFreedomTV
    @ForgingFreedomTV 5 лет назад +21

    Been Gardening for over 40 years and just learned 5 new epic ideas. Thanks Luke!

  • @teriadams7398
    @teriadams7398 4 года назад +163

    Basil and tomatoes love one another. I always get almost twice the amount of each.

    • @jmc8076
      @jmc8076 4 года назад +3

      TAC W
      Plant a salad! Thx for info 🙏🌱

    • @SheepAmongGoats
      @SheepAmongGoats 4 года назад +36

      They love each other in the bowl with some balsamic vinegar too.

    • @lizedur4976
      @lizedur4976 3 года назад +31

      @@fkp1692 you must remove the leaves on your tomato plants. Leave only one branch of leaves below your first tomato. I also remove half the leaves on most branches. That is, I remove the tips of the branches. This way you get lots of tomatoes and they ripen because they get more sun. Im assuming you know to remove all the suckers-the leaves that appear in the v where the stem and branch meet. I plant basil all along the row in front of the tomatoes. I pinch it back, so it stays low and bushy and doesn’t interfere with tomatoes. Shades the soil at base of tomatoes so they don’t dry out so quickly. Hope this is helpful.

    • @melissasullivan1658
      @melissasullivan1658 3 года назад +7

      Basil in my 9b area prefers the shade of tomatoes, actually. Basil doesn’t really do well in 110 degree heat, so that afternoon shade break really helps.

    • @ritamccartt-kordon283
      @ritamccartt-kordon283 3 года назад

      @@lizedur4976 That was VERY well said! Excellent advice! GOD bless

  • @KristinBennett
    @KristinBennett 3 года назад +14

    One of my favorites is asparagus!! I had planted some asparagus in a (big) pot and gave up thinking it wouldn't sprout. I got impatient and so I planted a late tomato plant on top of it, and then I got my got my first little asparagus, it was a total surprise!!!

    • @Eshet.Chayil.83
      @Eshet.Chayil.83 Год назад +2

      It generally takes asparagus two years to grow after being planted 💗

  • @patriciatinkey2677
    @patriciatinkey2677 2 года назад +2

    Weirdly, this same guy also did a video where he said, "I don't promote companion planting!" But he also went on in that video to retrace some of the same info here. By far, this is the better of the 2 videos. Guess everyone has an odd day once in a while. Still subscribed to this good guy's channel.

  • @makesewingeasy3157
    @makesewingeasy3157 4 года назад +69

    Love your series. I wanted to share a happy finding of ours...I've grown tomatoes all my life, but found out just last year a wonderful plant to use as a companion plant--purple (Thai) basil. This stuff is very weedy, mind you, but last year I never saw even ONE tomato hornworm, and almost no other pest, either.

    • @lissalaliberte65
      @lissalaliberte65 4 года назад +12

      Any type of basil is a great choice with tomatoes, both for growing and for eating.

    • @thetwistedsisterme
      @thetwistedsisterme 3 года назад +8

      I just planted some purple basil with my tomatoes... hoping this helps.

  • @twolilfishies
    @twolilfishies 4 года назад +70

    When radishes bolt they fill up with seed pods which are a very tasty treat. like a fresh peapod with slight spice 🤗

    • @HaveYouSeenMyGardens
      @HaveYouSeenMyGardens 4 года назад +6

      twolilfish turnips, kale, and all the brassicas make similarly tasty little spicy green bean pods, I love using em in stir frys!

    • @twolilfishies
      @twolilfishies 4 года назад +2

      @@HaveYouSeenMyGardens looking at wild edibles i noticed that the hairy bittercress also has these pods, but they are so tiny its hard to see them..but yes, very good to eat especially if you like a bit of spice[or bitter]!

    • @chrismazz75
      @chrismazz75 3 года назад +2

      I love radish pods. I grow the radish just for them, don't even care about the root.

    • @louderthanwords9051
      @louderthanwords9051 3 года назад

      Cool info! Thanks

    • @Coccinelf
      @Coccinelf 3 года назад

      I don't like the taste of radishes or the pods but I grow them for the pretty flowers!

  • @opalsirius8484
    @opalsirius8484 2 года назад +34

    Choose crops that are NOT heavy feeders so that they don't compete w/🍅 for nutrients
    5:36 ☀️ loving crops (beans)
    6:00 Shade/cool loving plants (herbs: thyme, sage, oregano, basil, lettuce, radishes, carrots, root crops), flowers like lavender, marigold and other edible flowers.
    Onion, garlic, etc
    NOT heavy hydrogen feeders like spinach, broccoli, etc.

    • @GuitarsAndSynths
      @GuitarsAndSynths 17 дней назад +1

      I plan to plant herbs in the shady areas around my home. I made a big mistake planting cilantro in the full hot sun and it disintegrated a week later! Lesson learned- shady areas for these herbs.

    • @opalsirius8484
      @opalsirius8484 17 дней назад

      @@GuitarsAndSynths Of all the herbs, Cilantro is the most delicate. I would no only plant in mostly shade and that it doesn't get any direct sunlight after 10 am. And given the chance, I would actually start it from seed; transplanting also shocks it.

  • @marjoriejohnson6535
    @marjoriejohnson6535 2 года назад +3

    Almost 50 years ago my daughter made a booklet for 4-H and entered it in the state fair. She got a blue ribbon. It covered companion planting. People should be listening to you..we. always had great crops..and these crops also won many blue ribbons.

  • @faithfulchica1861
    @faithfulchica1861 5 лет назад +261

    I work in a well known gardening center in MN and I recommend your channel to all of my new growers all of the time. Best gardening channel on YT!

    • @Pacers31Colts18
      @Pacers31Colts18 4 года назад +2

      What place? Just moved to MN so looking for good gardening places.

    • @jennifercarroll3814
      @jennifercarroll3814 4 года назад +1

      I Would like to know as well

    • @normacroberts-hakizimana8785
      @normacroberts-hakizimana8785 4 года назад +1

      must be bachmans

    • @formerhermit12
      @formerhermit12 4 года назад +1

      Joe Loveless what part of MN? I love a lot of local places. Tonkadale is my favorite in the Minnetonka area if you haven’t found one yet

    • @paperm2023
      @paperm2023 4 года назад +1

      Look up Edible Acres. He is significantly better for my style of gardening and my projects. For general information and tips MIgardener is amazing too but not things like huge chicken compost systems

  • @kathryngagne5813
    @kathryngagne5813 5 лет назад +173

    Last year I had a 3' x 5' raised bed that I planted mini sweet corn, 10 early anne tomato plants, 2 Algonquin Pumpkin plants, 2 mandant banquet squash, 2 doe hill sweet pepper plants, zinnias and callundra. I was experimenting to see how far I could push production in a small plot. We only have 90 frost free days here. Nights are in the 50s and days are in the high 80s in July and August. We had a period of drought last summer as well. Everything grew all over everything else. The only thing that didn't make it was the mini sweet peppers. Some times you just have to throw the rules out the window to find what works for you!

    • @californianorma876
      @californianorma876 4 года назад +3

      Kathryn Gagne amazing!

    • @bruceules1318
      @bruceules1318 4 года назад +7

      @@californianorma876 Success is quite shocking sometimes , like when I grew Brussel sprouts the first time .

    • @jeaniejbutler4911
      @jeaniejbutler4911 3 года назад +1

      wow

    • @roberthunter3387
      @roberthunter3387 3 года назад +3

      Peppers need nights warmer than 50s to set fruit :(

    • @birchlawpa
      @birchlawpa 2 года назад

      That's great! The last few years I think I had bunched things up too much. This year, I have things to spaced out. It's great to know you can inter-crop like he explains to maximize yields.

  • @CIAplant
    @CIAplant 2 года назад +3

    I really hope this channel reaches one million subscribers, best gardening content on RUclips hands down. Thank you

  • @portiaparker6959
    @portiaparker6959 3 года назад +2

    Don't have a food garden yet but have a learned many things just by watching 2 of his videos. Thanks!

  • @valerieelfering692
    @valerieelfering692 4 года назад +101

    Nasturtium is another great flower that companion plant well with tomatoes. Calendula is another. Plus, they are edible.

    • @snowpaw360
      @snowpaw360 4 года назад +6

      Ans taste great if you like a bit of spice

    • @BR-yy3ko
      @BR-yy3ko 3 года назад +2

      Was coming here to say just this, nasturiums and candula and borage

    • @blissmas
      @blissmas 3 года назад +1

      Calendula and Marigolds the same thing?💐

    • @valerieelfering692
      @valerieelfering692 3 года назад +3

      Yes! Borage is another great one. It has a nice cucumber taste.
      Calendula and marigold are in the same family. 🙂👍

    • @kasiar1540
      @kasiar1540 2 года назад

      Dry calendula flowers, soak in oil, and make salves for skin abrasions. Amazing stuff

  • @Fl-Pride
    @Fl-Pride 4 года назад +12

    This is such a great video. I work at a feed store and I’ll tell everyone about your channel. People NEED these videos now more than ever.

  • @sanjuansteve
    @sanjuansteve 2 года назад +1

    Efficiency is key in everything we do.

  • @cherylhale5755
    @cherylhale5755 3 года назад +13

    Excellent advice. I have also read that nasturtiums are excellent to plant among tomatoes. They offer insect protection, and you can eat all parts of the plants!

  • @MaryMakes
    @MaryMakes 4 года назад +32

    Thyme also has a LOT flavor! Not to mention can be dried easily or frozen in ice cube trays with butter or olive oil for winter 💕

  • @vaperzen2363
    @vaperzen2363 4 года назад +9

    THANK YOU!!! You just DOUBLED the size of my garden!!! Awesome

  • @barnoskie
    @barnoskie 4 года назад +8

    Planted basil nearby. The flowering basil brought in huge numbers of pollinating bees 🐝. “Hey, check out these yellow tomato flowers over here.”

  • @pinschrunner
    @pinschrunner 2 года назад +1

    @MI gardener I am super excited for you to get to one million subscribers. I hope every viewer will like and share your videos

  • @andreawenke5545
    @andreawenke5545 3 года назад +4

    I use the big garlic cloves for cooking and put the small garlic cloves in the soil around tomatoes. They grow well.

  • @margaretd3710
    @margaretd3710 3 года назад +16

    0:00 Introduction and discussion of why you shouldn't leave the ground bare. 4:44 Discussion of things to interplant.

  • @maureenserafini1949
    @maureenserafini1949 Год назад +2

    I plant this way as well, I learned it back in the 70s. It's called French Intensive Gardening. Thanks so much for the video!!

  • @lorettasullivan7724
    @lorettasullivan7724 4 года назад +171

    I like Luke's intros. He establishes a personal, friendly vibe that gives the feel of chatting with a neighbor, rather than a textbook. Keep up the good work, Luke! 🌻
    Oh - I interplant basil, marigolds, and radishes with my tomatoes. Going to try some bush beans and see what happens!

    •  2 года назад +12

      try snap peas instead.. the bush will take over the area and shade out the others... snap peas will add nitrogen and they grow great up the tomato plants

    • @augustpriest6945
      @augustpriest6945 2 года назад +5

      Its been a year what happened? ;)

    • @sheilawilcox4133
      @sheilawilcox4133 2 года назад +10

      @@augustpriest6945 I plant snap peas with my tomatoes and it works great. 😁 I have lots of peas and tomatoes. I’ve been doing this for years as my garden space is very limited.

    • @jamestomlin5525
      @jamestomlin5525 2 года назад +2

      @@sheilawilcox4133 good idea, I'll try that

    • @langstroth9334
      @langstroth9334 2 года назад +1

      @@sheilawilcox4133 would Kentucky Wonder climbing snap beans be ok to plant right @ tomatoes?

  • @hillarycosenza6586
    @hillarycosenza6586 4 года назад +128

    Central florida here, I have pineapple sage planted next to my tomatoes. The bees love it and I allow it to Bush out to bring in the lizards who eat the army worms and hornworms.

    • @practicalgardensolutions4971
      @practicalgardensolutions4971 4 года назад +2

      Why not just grow pineapples? Then have a nice pineapple lizard fricassee.

    • @likeargamanflaming940
      @likeargamanflaming940 4 года назад

      @@practicalgardensolutions4971 Welllll okay thennnn. 🤭

    • @rubylady7126
      @rubylady7126 4 года назад +2

      Pineapple Sage! I've never heard of that but it sounds amazing!

    • @TheSunRiseKid
      @TheSunRiseKid 3 года назад +2

      Sage Greens It smells so delicious!!! I bought two pineapple sage plants and I am propagating them for more plants because I love the smell!!!

    • @elained8893
      @elained8893 3 года назад +3

      TheSunRiseKid how do you use your pineapple sage? I have one that comes back every year, but I’ve never used it in any meals.

  • @aliataya5125
    @aliataya5125 4 года назад +3

    Grow big or grow home I love this phrase!

  • @md7158
    @md7158 3 года назад +1

    Not trying to be negative, but he took advice really well. The year before this one he did a video about "why companion plants don't exist" and this one panders to his viewers a lot more than just being a rant. Total props 👁👄👁

  • @beeARTcanada
    @beeARTcanada 2 года назад +1

    Geraniums are best friends to tomatoes also. Makes the garden pretty at the same time.

  • @tanial.williamson8082
    @tanial.williamson8082 4 года назад +59

    The following are the notes I took while watching this thing. Please comment if you find things I left out or ones I got wrong.
    What to grow with tomatoes
    Inter cropping
    -helps with pest control
    -decreases sun on soil
    -do plantings out on the edge
    -Thyme covers soil
    -For plants that like shade, plant under tomatoes
    -decreases soil erosion
    -decreases need for weeding
    What to plant?
    -Plants that don’t need a lot of nitrogen to grow their “fruit”
    -Plant under shade near tomatoes
    Lettuce
    Radishes
    Those that Love shade vs sun lovers
    -Plant out in sunlight
    -Plant stuff with skinny or wispy leaves
    Beans
    Herbs
    -thyme, sage, oregano, basil
    -Lettuce likes shade, bolts in sun
    No spinach because it is a nitrogen feeder
    Radishes love shade
    Root crops which use phosphorous while tomatoes which uses nitrogens for leaves
    Carrots
    Beets low foliage
    Potatoes?
    Sweet Potatoes?
    Parsnips
    Rutabaga
    More food, less space
    No broccoli, Brussels sprouts. These use nitrogen(which tomatoes need) bk they produce huge leaves
    Flowers
    Marigolds: act as insect repellent,
    reduce aphids, tomato hornworm, nematodes
    Violas don’t like bright sun, plant under tomatoes
    Lavender
    Other edible flowers
    Onions
    Don’t restrict air flow

  • @bensturges7412
    @bensturges7412 3 года назад +29

    Agree with recommendations. Live in SE Washington and grew a good winter cover crop (winter peas, vetch, broccoli, radish, triticale) in tomato space. Rather than turning under or removing as the cover crop went dormant in spring, I trimmed it and planted tomatoes in holes through it.

  • @tylerflowers7552
    @tylerflowers7552 3 года назад +1

    Hurray you turn another hundred. Thank you so much for all you do for us. I have learned how to garden watching you.

  • @peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920
    @peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920 2 года назад +2

    Greetings from Windermere, Florida zone 9b USA 🇺🇸
    Excellent info Luke. I just planted my Tomatoes and Marigold Seedlings and have Onions and Carrots and greens growing nearby. in Florida we really have to stay on top of confusing the Pests.
    Congratulations on 1 Mil🎉 I've remember when you started out and reach the thousands milestone 👏

  • @602douglas
    @602douglas 3 года назад +33

    Last year my tomatoes were surrounded by marigolds - i had no worms - amazing - the marigolds held up the vines and completely shaded the soil - the best year for me so far as an intermediate beginner lol! I had supports, but the vines got long and some just escaped and they produced tomatoes among the marigolds until late September.

  • @vasilioskosman2789
    @vasilioskosman2789 4 года назад +28

    Anybody ever wonder. How do these garden plants look like in their wild state. And what regions do they grow in nature?

  • @sbeierly
    @sbeierly 2 года назад +1

    Getting close to 1M subscribers ! You have made great videos for years - thank you for sharing your knowledge.

  • @SedefMBuyukataman
    @SedefMBuyukataman 2 года назад +1

    Love this, I put in a mix of carrots, onions, salsify, nasturtium, basil, marigolds & puslane in with my tomatoes

  • @jeas4980
    @jeas4980 5 лет назад +5

    Im a southeast gardener...thank you so much for touching on the importance of air flow! It is so important in the humidity down here!!! Peppers, Carrots and basil are my go to companions with tomatoes (peppers to the outside for sun). Okra and beans companion very well with my cucumbers on trellises. I find that by the time my first round of cucumbers are ready to come down and the new second plantings are ready to go in...the pole beans fill in the gap between crops. But I plant probably 10 times the green beans as most gardners...my kids won't leave them alone. I also do three sisters mounds every year...corn and sunflowers to stalk up more pole beans and various melons, pumpkins and squashes as a low cover. But my summer squash and zucchini I grow separate in stawbales for pest control. If I get a squash borer infestation I can incinerate the bales and avoid the issue the following year....hopefully! I swear I think a local farmer must be baiting them in somehow....maybe fish emulsion?

  • @zemtek420
    @zemtek420 4 года назад +86

    4:50 is when he starts talking about what plants you can plant with tomatoes. Great info to have.

  • @thriftyelf3845
    @thriftyelf3845 2 дня назад

    We planted carrots between tomato plants without much success. Never thought about planting Marigolds in with tomatoes. Brilliant! I will definitely check to see whether my local garden centers have any more Marigold seeds.

  • @cindyfrick4860
    @cindyfrick4860 2 года назад

    You did not lose me at all! With you all the way. One day I'll take time for a longer message to tell you about my grandmother's and where my plans and feelings are rooted from! Love you! Feel your passion and still, I'm cheering you on every day!!!! Much love!!!

  • @dfros1957
    @dfros1957 2 года назад +11

    Luke, You shared lots of wonderful info in this video. When I was young my mother had a large garden and we ate very well from it. She canned many things so we were able to enjoy the produce in the winter also. Last year was my first garden in a very long time. It was small. lm 65 and finally have the time. This year I plan on making it bigger with more variety. I can now plan on more growing in less space. I have learned a lot from your videos, and I thank you very much. Great video !😊🌿🍓🌶️🥕🥦🥒🍅🥬🫑🍆🧄I love you channel.

    • @GDStuart1
      @GDStuart1 2 года назад +2

      D Frost, I'm 71 and the garden gets better every year thanks to Luke and others on RUclips. My secret is easy: hire the local Mexican folks to help with the heavy lifting and preserve my back. That way I can keep going...and going....and going...

  • @grateful.tomato5543
    @grateful.tomato5543 3 года назад +29

    Excited to plant my beets, turnips, & radishes with my tomato’s this year. All ordered from the awesome MIgardener store!!! Love the price of the seeds!

  • @dougreynolds2813
    @dougreynolds2813 2 года назад +1

    i've dropped the ball on this issue, this video helped me realize all the space i'd been wasting; thanks, still learning at 67.

  • @denisefrickey5636
    @denisefrickey5636 2 года назад +1

    Grandma always grew flowers and herbs with her food plants and had very little pest infestation and bountiful food crops.

  • @jenschafer269
    @jenschafer269 4 года назад +7

    I put radishes around my tomatoes this year and they were wonderful! Big, plentiful, and tasty! Next year I’ll try onions and carrots too. Thanks for this video!

  • @TaylorOwen
    @TaylorOwen 4 года назад +3

    I am watching this video during the COVID-19 social distancing and want to thank you for your “what is going on?!” welcome script... it fits every mood and your positive attitude is infectious. Much love from zone 7b!

  • @christinagardener1889
    @christinagardener1889 2 года назад +1

    I've had great success growing spinach and potatoes in Spring. I plant potatoes about 8" deep. Then I will seed spinach a 1/2" deep on top of where I planted spinach. Because I have an animal pest problem here: rabbits, squirrels and groundhogs, I'll put wire cloches, plastic laundry baskets secured with earth staples or rocks, or roll out fencing on top of my growing area to deter them. It rains a lot in my area at this time but if not I'll water frequently and remove cloches, baskets and roll out fencing once potato plants are a few inches high. The animals can't seem to find my spinach this way and the spinach finishes up before it's time to harvest potatoes. Works amazingly!

  • @DZSabre
    @DZSabre Год назад

    My mom grew her tomatoes in her strawberry bed and my grandpa had excellent crops of tomatoes and bell peppers when intercropped.

  • @fallenangelwi25
    @fallenangelwi25 4 года назад +115

    We have a family of 6 and we're struggling to buy food. However we were blessed with a lot of seeds this year so we are planting over 700sq ft of garden and are trying to use some of your methods. We are growing in ground with hummus added and using rabbit fertilizer too. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!!!!! I'm going to try the broccoli and cabbage together too!!! Thank you for your knowledge ❤️🌱🍅!!!!

    • @PatricesProjects
      @PatricesProjects 4 года назад +16

      Please keep in mind that Luke's climate is probably quite different from yours. Do you live in the higher elevations or in a more arid lower elevation? As a new gardener I highly recommend using something like "The Old Farmer's Almanac " or "Clyde's Garden Planner" to get a better idea of when to plant particular crops.
      Keep in mind that it can take a few years to build your soil up. I hope everything goes well for you.

    • @fallenangelwi25
      @fallenangelwi25 4 года назад +2

      @@PatricesProjects most definitely!!! Thank you so much 💕😊🌱

    • @stephenolan5539
      @stephenolan5539 4 года назад +4

      @@fallenangelwi25
      Google Terra Preta
      And how to make Terra Preta.

    • @fallenangelwi25
      @fallenangelwi25 4 года назад

      @@stephenolan5539 thank you

    • @HomelessOnline
      @HomelessOnline 4 года назад +4

      Try using more emoji's so we can eventually eliminate the written language altogether!

  • @emilyackerson8935
    @emilyackerson8935 4 года назад +25

    So I know rotating crops into different beds is important to maintain soil quality, can you do a video on how you rotate your crops each year? I'm fairly new to gardening and would love to learn more about that.

    • @SS-cb9ub
      @SS-cb9ub 2 года назад +3

      I agree. We don't have separate beds for each crop, we have one rectangular garden. So I'd like to know how to rotate the crops while still giving each crop the sunlight it needs.

    • @freedomlover2358
      @freedomlover2358 2 года назад +3

      @@SS-cb9ub I have an in ground garden as well so some of the info doesn't apply to me. I at some point want some raised beds as well. I love his rationales for why things work and don't work. I've started taking notes on his videos to help me remember all this knowledge

  • @wolfmangosan539
    @wolfmangosan539 2 года назад +2

    This is a under rated video !
    Grate job lots of amazing information
    Thank you very much I’m now following your channel .

  • @theplatypen1959
    @theplatypen1959 Год назад +1

    This is such a great video, I had to rewatch it this year too. What a big difference in the garden doing this and using mulch instead of weed barriers

  • @cbak1819
    @cbak1819 4 года назад +44

    Oh God bless you! I am building my first raised bed this spring 2020. This is so helpful

  • @garden4life622
    @garden4life622 5 лет назад +21

    Intercropping is an excellent way to expand your harvest. I have onions, parsley, beets, basil, marigolds, cilantro, and even kale planted around my tomato and pepper plants!

    • @lizedur4976
      @lizedur4976 3 года назад +1

      Onions and garlic stunt parsley

    • @garden4life622
      @garden4life622 3 года назад +2

      @@lizedur4976 I don't plant onions and garlic around parsley or parsley around onions and garlic.

  • @forcivilizaton5021
    @forcivilizaton5021 3 года назад +2

    Thank you for sharing information on preventing your living soil from getting baked and solarized. Soil science and polyculture is the sustainable future, especially to save the bees.

  • @dontbanmebrodontbanme5403
    @dontbanmebrodontbanme5403 Год назад +1

    I never considered growing onions with tomatoes. I think I'll try that this year!

  • @La_Space
    @La_Space 4 года назад +8

    We call it companion planting in Australia. Thanks, good vid.

  • @Soilfoodwebwarrior
    @Soilfoodwebwarrior 5 лет назад +32

    Also by covering your soil you avoid rain hitting your bare soil and causing compaction. Thanks for all you do

  • @DocWyldeCard
    @DocWyldeCard 2 месяца назад

    I've read that basil and parsley do well among tomatoes too.
    I've in fact done so myself, and the results have been outstanding. :)

  • @amberbagu923
    @amberbagu923 23 дня назад

    Best peppers I ever grew were mixed in with my tomato plants. The tomatoes took over and hid the peppers. I forgot about them until harvest. They protected the peppers from the wind but still had lots of heat to grow.

  • @Erika-gm2tf
    @Erika-gm2tf 3 года назад +4

    I LOVE this guy! He's sooo energetic and I learn sooo much from him.

    • @babichevi7950
      @babichevi7950 3 года назад +1

      I agree. He’s one of my go-to guys

  • @stevengonzalez27
    @stevengonzalez27 4 года назад +159

    Carrots love tomatoes....
    That's also the title of a good book.

    • @californianorma876
      @californianorma876 4 года назад +5

      Steven Gonzalez True. And I have it. And I’ve been using it. But I am sure that they did not provide as many companions for tomatoes as he does.

    • @bluecolumbine
      @bluecolumbine 4 года назад +6

      I have that book!!!

    • @mjfamula
      @mjfamula 3 года назад +1

      YES. Love that book!! I have all my mint and basil hanging out with my tomatoes and peppers

    • @MommaCrissa
      @MommaCrissa 3 года назад

      @@mjfamula Do you plant these herbs from seeds, will that work?

    • @birchlawpa
      @birchlawpa 2 года назад

      @@MommaCrissa I have done it with Basil seeds before. Works great!

  • @missvicxen3593
    @missvicxen3593 Год назад

    Living mulch…love it. Some things cause “ah-ha” moments, that was one of them for me. 🌱

  • @catsario7512
    @catsario7512 2 года назад +1

    Excellent helpful information. I never thought to plant herbs and lettuce at the base of tomatoes

  • @raremedium4091
    @raremedium4091 4 года назад +3

    Here's a story; I was politely "judged" by a lady who is all about her "personal empowerment." When the healthscare of 2020 began, I asked if she would be gardening again.(she had a fabulous one the previous year) "Ugh!" She said, "who has the time- I'm not putting my energy into that this year." I smiled, thinking - this is exactly when one should invest her energy! Closing in on the growing season- I'm ready to feed my family this summer and beyond!

    • @JewelsFromVenus
      @JewelsFromVenus 4 года назад +2

      Right? This is the most important garden of our lifetime!

  • @josephbiondo2936
    @josephbiondo2936 4 года назад +6

    We have planted marigolds chives and petunias as companions to our tomatoes and we have had massive success and very few invasive bugs

  • @heathsavage4852
    @heathsavage4852 2 года назад +1

    Great presentation. All about the gardening. Love these vids. Thank you.

  • @chrissiestevens1001
    @chrissiestevens1001 2 года назад

    Wow very timely! I came inside for a rest between planting, worrying about planning the veg patch. Thank you ☺️

  • @lalajohnson7194
    @lalajohnson7194 4 года назад +5

    The year I accidentally planted cherry tomatoes with my lemon Thyme was the best crop of tomatoes I got . Possibly from the waste nutrients from the lemon Thyme helped the tomato plants produce more tomatoes then the ones that weren't planted with the thyme.

    • @erikjohnson9223
      @erikjohnson9223 4 года назад +1

      I suspect that the strong smell of the thyme was repelling pests. Thyme doesn't fix nitrogen nor drop much biomass.

    • @Turks8806
      @Turks8806 4 года назад

      I grew cherry tomatoes my first year in my small garden. Out of 5 plants I must’ve gotten 1000 or more cherry tomatoes. I grew eggplant beside the tomatoes but they didn’t fair too well as something ate the leaves of the eggplants and I only got a few flowers and nothing more.

  • @sydneybutler8988
    @sydneybutler8988 3 года назад +4

    That point about masking the scent for pests makes s much sense! I can't wait to use these this upcoming growing season!

    • @birchlawpa
      @birchlawpa 2 года назад

      Just learned that this year. Too late for my zucchini, but everything else is looking good.

  • @melisadelagarde5492
    @melisadelagarde5492 2 года назад +1

    Marigolds and Basel are my favourite!....and the smell is amazing!....but both are great repellents to pest...and for some reason both my tomatoes and Basel do soo well and lush when together....truly complement each other. I also love sticking garlic cloves surrounding my tomatoes that are in containers...another great pest repellent

  • @rhomanmason8131
    @rhomanmason8131 2 года назад +1

    I plant basil in and around my toms 👍🏼🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

  • @AuxhartGardening
    @AuxhartGardening 4 года назад +5

    This was the first year I planted marigolds in my garden, and I wasn't even aware of how much they could do for pests! I was told they would repel deer, mostly. But they add a nice pop of color to the garden and now I know why those plants don't have the pest problems my others do!

  • @Tay4Dayz
    @Tay4Dayz Год назад +8

    This is a great list of Tips/Suggestions, I grew some basil under a trellised tomato and it was fine in the early stages. Once the basil took off it grew into the tomato and I started having disease issues when i couldnt keep it trimmed back. I really want to continue interplanting and I think the companion lists online don't often take the vertical growing and airflow of later stages into account so this more in depth look is really great! The root crop option sounds like the best fit for what we use in our kitchen more so I'll try that instead of basil (we don't use it much/at all).

    • @elisabetk2595
      @elisabetk2595 Год назад +1

      Some varieties of basil get huge, others are more manageable. Look for compact varieties, and also don't be afraid to succession plant and cut out the old ones.

  • @marystephens765
    @marystephens765 2 года назад +2

    I planted so many yellow marigolds last year that people thought I’d decided to extend my flower gardens into the veggie beds. Apparently they didn’t see the big red tomatoes and peppers right next to the flowers! I will try the onions idea. Thank you Luke for one more great vid!

  • @Lorellehb
    @Lorellehb 3 года назад

    Thank you for that good explanation of why we don't leave bare soil in the garden. Good reminder for me!