By James Thomas 
.
Kale is a cool-weather green with aggravated leaves that grows in USDA zones 7 via 10. In my narrows of the woods, the Pacific Northwest, kale blossoms with our cooler temps and plentiful rainfall. It can be grown throughout the year in some places.
Furthermore, many plants grow well with kale – receiving and providing benefits to each other. So, what are the best companion manufacturers for kale? Learn on to discover out about kale companion planting.
About Kale Companion Plants
Kale can tolerate temps down to 20 grades F. (-7 C.) but becomes rather difficult when temps exceed 80 degrees F. (27 C.). If you plant in the cool season, kale should be planted in full sunlight. But if you plant during the warm season, plant kale in partial shadow.
It succeeds with a pH of 5.5 – 6.8 in loamy, well-draining, moist soil. These are all things to think about when looking for plants that thrive well with kale. These kale partner plants should have like growing requirements. Kale also doesn’t require nitrogen-rich mud, another consideration when selecting companion plants for kale.
8 Best Companion Plants for Kale
When it comes to boosting kale plants in the garden, the companions you choose are not just neighbors; they’re partners against common enemies and companions in growth.
Each of these companions carries unique advantages to the garden, and when strategically planted with kale, they can help create a healthier, more effective, and more level ecosystem.
Here’s a better-detailed look at some of the greatest companions for kale and the reasons they are so beneficial:
- Chamomile
Chamomile is a good companion for kale for several reasons. Its strong, pleasing aroma can help deter common pests that plague kale, like aphids and flea beetles.
Moreover, chamomile can draw beneficial predators like hoverflies and parasitic wasps, which prey on different garden pests. Additionally, chamomile is reputed to enhance the flavor of nearby plants and bolster their growth, making it a good neighbor for kale in the garden.
- Cilantro
Cilantro is better than just a flavorful herb for your salsa—it’s a draw for beneficial insects like hoverflies, ladybugs, and lacewings. These insects prey on aphids and other pests that can be a problem to kale. Planting cilantro nearby can help keep the ecological harmony in your garden.
- Brassica Companions
Kale is part of the brassica clan, which includes broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. These plants communicate similar nutritional needs and can be developed together to optimize space. Yet, it’s important to be aware that they can attract the same kinds of pests. To mitigate this risk, intersperse these with different non-brassica plants that can serve as a barrier or distraction to pests.
- Marigolds
Marigolds are not just bright; they have a reputation for repelling a keeper of garden pests. Their strong scent is believed to confuse pests such as nematodes and could potentially deter them from paying on your kale.
- Dill and thyme
Dill attracts wasps and other hunting insects that prey on caterpillars and aphids, while thyme is said to repel cabbage worms, a typical kale pest. Dill and thyme act as both a culinary bonus for gardeners and a birth control against pests.
- Aromatic companions
Other aromatic friends like onions, garlic, and chives can help repel pests with their powerful scents. Planting these around kale may discourage pests from bringing up residence.
- Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums serve a dual meaning. They can act as a trap crop for aphids, drawing them out from your kale. Moreover, their bright blooms lure beneficial insects that prey on various pests.
- Lettuce and Spinach
Fast-growing leafy greens such as lettuce and spinach can be wonderful companions for kale. They provide ground cover to help retain soil moisture, prevent weeds, and can be gathered on a rotating basis to ensure that the soil remains rich and cool.
Benefits of Companion gardening?
Companion plants will either support a specific crop growth or will grow better beside a specific crop. And can do many support positions in the garden:
1. Repulse insect pests. Cabbage worms, cucumber beetles, Mexican bean beetles, carrot flies, and cabbage moths—all types of pests can plague vegetable gardens. Numerous companion plants (such as marigold flowers, catnip, and rue). Repel specific pests and should be planted on certain crops to keep them pest-free.
2. Attract beneficial insects. Pollinators like bees and ladybugs can use a small encouragement to visit vegetable gardens and pollinate the vegetables. Gardeners often produce attractive plants like borage flowers to encourage pollinators to see.
3. Improve soil nutrients. When crops mature, they take up beneficial nutrients from the soil—the gardener does a lot of work at the back of the season to renew the soil’s nutrients. Yet, there are many companion plants (like brush beans and pole beans) that add nutrients. Like nitrogen back into the mud, helping keep other plants healthy.
4. Encourage faster growth and better taste. Many companion plants (like marjoram, chamomile, and summer savory) remove specific chemicals that encourage more rapid growth or better taste in the plants near them.
5. Provide ground cover. Plants that lay low across the ground (like oregano) serve as a blanket over the mud. Protecting it from the sun and holding it cooler for plants help from lower temperatures.
6. Provide necessary shade. Plants that produce tall and leafy (like zucchini and asparagus) can provide welcome shade for sun-sensitive plants under them.
7. Serve as markers. When raising slow-growing plants, it can be difficult to tell. Where the rows will be while you’re waiting for the seeds to sprout. Gardeners usually use fast-growing plants (like radishes) incorporated with. The slow growers in their rows to outline where the slow growers will be.
Popular and Companionable
You knew kale was famous as a health food, but now you know it’s rather popular with its garden friends, too. The above list is not complete, but it will give you a start in understanding. Who your kale might like to rub shoulders with – and why! Are there any additional companions you have had personal experience with within your garden? We’d love to listen about them here – and even better. We’d love to visit them growing alongside your kale if you have photos to transfer. in our email mrtwinsvlog@gmail.com
FAQs
1. What’s companion gardening, and how does it help kale?
Companion gardening is the practice of planting different crops together to help them grow better. When you plant kale with the right companions, it can protect kale from pests, ameliorate soil health, and boost its growth naturally.
2. Which shops are the stylish companions for kale?
Kale grows well with Plants. Like garlic, onions, dill, and marigolds, which help repel pests. Sauces like basil and thyme can also enhance kale’s flavor and protect it from insects.
3. What shops should I avoid growing near kale?
Avoid planting kale near strawberries, tomatoes, or sap. These shops contend for nutrients or may attract pests that harm kale.
4. Can companion shops help cover kale from common pests?
Yes! Planting sauces like mint or flowers like nasturtiums around kale can discourage pests like aphids and cabbage worms, which are common kale bushwhackers.