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Turnips are a fast-growing cool-weather crop that you can harvest twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall for most zones. You can use turnips in companion planting for benefits such as pest control. In this article, we go over what are good companion plants for turnips and what not to plant with turnips in the garden.
The turnip seeds are usually planted in rows and can be used as a border to protect other companion crops from insects that could cause harm.
Turnips are a natural way to repel aphids. Using them in companion planting you can help protect quite a few different crops that are susceptible to aphids.
Often turnips can be used as a trap crop. This is where turnips attract the same pest as the crop you are planting them with. One example is with members of the Brassica family. By planting turnips around your Brassica crop you can help keep the slugs and snails off the inner crop by letting the turnips be “bait” and keep the pests on them.
Good Companion Plants for Turnips
- Basil
- Beans
- Borage
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Garlic
- Hyssop
- Kale
- Lavender
- Lettuce
- Mint
- Onions
- Radishes
- Rhubarb
- Rosemary
- Spinach
- Squash
- Swiss Chard
- Thyme
- Tomatoes
Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, and Kale: are all members of the Brassica family and can benefit by having turnips planted around them to keep pests on the turnips instead of on the crops you are trying to protect.
Beans make a good companion crop because they will help add nitrogen to the soil and make great companion plants for turnips.
Catnip and Mint: If using catnip or mint as a companion plant for turnips it is best to grow your catnip or mint in a container. I usually set pots around various areas in the garden next to the crops that the catnip/mint benefits. Doing this will make it so they don’t become invasive and overtake your garden.
Rosemary can be a great companion to help deter insects. If planting rosemary make sure to plant it behind your turnips so that it will not block the sun.
What Not to Plant with Turnips in the Garden
- Beets
- Horseradish
- Peas
- Potatoes
Horseradish is not a good companion crop for turnips. Once you harvest turnips many of the pests that might have been feeding on your turnips will move straight over to the horseradish, and this can ravage a horseradish crop.
Peas have been shown to reduce the yield of a turnip crop when planted together. While many people recommend these two as a companion pair, studies have shown that the reduction is significant in both crops when planted next to each other.
Potatoes when used as a companion crop will compete for root space with turnips since both crops need ample room for roots.
References:
- EFFECT OF PEA INTERCROPPING, http://pakjas.com.pk/papers%5C2170.pdf
