What to Plant With Green Onions: Perfect Companion Plants

Green onions, or scallions, are a versatile and easy-to-grow vegetable that can enhance the flavor and health of your garden. Companion planting with green onions not only optimizes garden space but also promotes the growth and protection of neighboring plants. Here’s a guide on what to plant with green onions to create a thriving and productive garden.

Growing Conditions and Characteristics for Green Onions

• Sun or Shade: Full sun to partial shade. Green onions thrive in areas that receive at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.
• Perennial or Annual: Typically grown as annuals, but they can act as perennials in milder climates or if allowed to overwinter.
• Summer or Winter: Green onions can be planted in spring, summer, or fall, making them versatile for year-round gardening in many regions.

Best Companion Plants for Green Onions

1. Carrots (Daucus carota)

   • Benefits: Green onions help repel carrot flies, a pest that can damage carrot crops.
   • Growing Conditions: Full sun.
   • Aesthetic Appeal: The feathery foliage of carrots pairs well with the upright growth of green onions.
   • Perennial or Annual: Annual.
   • Summer or Winter: Summer.

2. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

   • Benefits: Green onions deter aphids, a common pest for lettuce.
   • Growing Conditions: Partial shade to full sun.
   • Aesthetic Appeal: The lush, leafy greens of lettuce provide a nice contrast to the slender green onion stalks.
   • Perennial or Annual: Annual.
   • Summer or Winter: Spring to summer, or fall in cooler climates.

3. Beets (Beta vulgaris)

   • Benefits: Green onions don’t compete with beets for nutrients, making them excellent companions.
   • Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial shade.
   • Aesthetic Appeal: The colorful tops of beets complement the green onion leaves.
   • Perennial or Annual: Annual.
   • Summer or Winter: Summer.

4. Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa)

   • Benefits: Green onions help repel pests like aphids and spider mites that can damage strawberry plants.
   • Growing Conditions: Full sun.
   • Aesthetic Appeal: The spreading growth of strawberries contrasts nicely with the upright green onion stalks.
   • Perennial or Annual: Perennial.
   • Summer or Winter: Summer.

5. Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum)

   • Benefits: Green onions can help deter pests like aphids and beetles that often target tomatoes.
   • Growing Conditions: Full sun.
   • Aesthetic Appeal: The tall, vining growth of tomatoes provides a striking backdrop for the shorter green onions.
   • Perennial or Annual: Annual.
   • Summer or Winter: Summer.

6. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)

   • Benefits: Green onions help repel leaf miners, a common pest of spinach.
   • Growing Conditions: Partial shade to full sun.
   • Aesthetic Appeal: The broad, dark green leaves of spinach create a lovely contrast with the slim green onion stalks.
   • Perennial or Annual: Annual.
   • Summer or Winter: Spring, summer, or fall.

Planting and Care Tips

1. Soil Preparation: Green onions prefer well-drained, loamy soil enriched with organic matter. Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure before planting.
2. Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Green onions require regular watering, especially during dry periods.
3. Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer at planting time and again midway through the growing season to support healthy growth.
4. Spacing: Plant green onions about 1-2 inches apart to allow enough space for bulb development while still crowding out weeds.
5. Harvesting: Harvest green onions when the stalks reach the desired size. You can harvest as needed, with the green tops regrowing after cutting.

By choosing the right companion plants and providing proper care, your green onions will thrive, creating a productive and harmonious garden environment. Happy gardening!