Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. You can read my full affiliate disclosure at the bottom of the page.
Yellow squash is one of those crops that many gardeners have in their home garden. It’s also one of the popular vegetables that can be easy and fast to grow and is great for beginners. But, (there’s always a but) they can have some of the most annoying pests that you have to keep under control. Mainly squash bugs. They can be the thorn in the side of a gardener trying to grow squash. Companion planting can be used to help combat these annoying bugs and also provide other benefits to growing squash. In this article, we go over what are good companion plants for yellow squash and what you should not plant with yellow squash in your home garden.
Good Companion Plants for Yellow Squash
- Beans
- Borage
- Catnip
- Corn
- Marigolds
- Mint
- Oregano
- Peas
- Peppers
- Radishes
- Sunflowers
- Tansy
Beans and Corn when used in companion planting with squash are part of the Three Sisters. Native American tribes used these three crops planted together because of the benefits that they provide each other. Corn provides beans support to grow up and the squash provides ground cover/living mulch for the beans and corn. Beans will fix nitrogen in the soil and that benefits both the corn and the beans.
Catnip is a great companion plant for controlling bugs. It’s great for helping keep squash bugs away.
Borage attracts pollinators and other beneficial insects to the area.
Marigolds can be used as a companion plant for yellow squash by planting them as a border around your squash crop. They will act as a trap to insects that can harm your squash. Think of it as a marigold moat.
Mint can help attract beneficial insects that prey upon harmful pests.
Oregano is a great companion plant for yellow squash because it can help keep squash bugs away and attract beneficial insects.
Peas are another legume that will fix nitrogen into the soil.
Radishes are a great companion crop because they can help keep vine borers away. Vine borers are the second most annoying pest of yellow squash. Anything that can help keep these away is a blessing.
Sunflowers are a good companion plant because can provide shade to squash plants from hot summer afternoon sun.
Tansy is another crop that can help keep squash bugs away.
Related Reading:
What not to Plant With Yellow Squash in the Garden
- Cucumbers
- Onions
- Potatoes
- Pumpkins
- Yarrow
- Zucchini
Cucumbers should not be planted near yellow squash. They are susceptible to the same pests and compete for nutrients in the soil.
Onions can cause issues with yellow squash’s root system.
Potatoes should not be planted with yellow squash because both crops can get blight which will transfer. Also potatoes are a heavy feeder and can affect the growth of squash growing nearby.
Pumpkins can cross pollinate with squash. In addition to cross pollination they are also susceptible to the same diseases and pests.
Yarrow can get powdery mildew and squash is susceptible to this too. Find crops you can plant with yarrow here.
Zucchini like the other crops in the same family have the same diseases and pests that yellow squash can get so keep these in a separate area of the garden away from your yellow squash.
