Are you curious about the perfect companions for dill? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Dill is not only a delightful addition to your garden, but it also attracts beneficial insects that help control pests. In this article, we’ll explore the top 5 companion plants that thrive when planted alongside dill. These plants offer a range of benefits, including effective pest management. However, not all plants are dill’s friends. We’ll also discuss two plants that should be kept away from your dill patch. Let’s get started!
Key Takeaways
What is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is a clever gardening technique that involves strategically planting specific plants together to promote growth and health. It creates a diverse and resilient ecosystem while offering several benefits such as repelling pests, providing beneficial nutrients, improving soil quality, attracting helpful insects, and attracting pollinators. Another advantage of companion planting is that it allows for closer plant spacing, making it ideal for gardens with limited space.
The 5 Best Dill Companion Plants
Dill is a fantastic friend to have in your garden. It attracts predatory insects that feast on pests and attracts pollinators too. Let’s explore the five best companion plants for dill:
#1: Brassicas
The brassica family includes vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, kale, and cauliflower. Unfortunately, these vegetables often fall prey to cabbage worms and aphids, damaging their leaves. However, dill comes to the rescue! By planting dill alongside brassicas, you can attract predatory insects that keep these pests under control. A study published in 2016 even showed a significant increase in predatory insects when dill was used as a companion plant for kale. Marigolds also work wonders, attracting an even larger number of helpful insects.
#2: Squash
Squash plants are often plagued by pesky squash bugs. Thankfully, dill can help. Parasitic wasps absolutely adore dill when it starts to bloom, and these wasps happen to be natural enemies of squash bugs. By using dill as a companion plant for squash, you can draw in these beneficial wasps to protect your harvest.
#3: Cucumber
Cucumber and dill make a great pair, just like peas and carrots (hello, dill pickles!). Cucumber beetles can cause significant damage in the garden, but dill provides a solution. It attracts two main insects, ladybugs and green lacewings, both of which love to feast on cucumber beetles.
#4: Asparagus
While dill may not directly benefit asparagus, it can be a tremendous help to this sensitive plant. Asparagus often faces pest problems, but dill has its back. It releases aromatic compounds that repel pests, attracts beneficial pollinators (especially the swallowtail butterfly), and draws in helpful predatory insects. Additionally, dill’s shallow root system is unlikely to disrupt the deep and sensitive asparagus crowns.
#5: Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are not only beautiful, but they also provide numerous benefits as a companion plant. Dill is already excellent at attracting beneficial pollinators and predatory insects, so why not enhance its efforts with nasturtiums? These lovely flowers not only attract more beneficial insects but can also be used as a trap crop to keep pests away from your other vegetables. Additionally, they act as living mulch, reducing weed pressure and moisture loss.
Two Plants to Avoid Planting Near Dill
Dill does have a few enemies in the gardening world, so it’s best to keep these two plants away from your dill section:
#1: Apiaceae Family
The Apiaceae family includes carrots, fennel, caraway, and cilantro. Although they belong to the same family, not all members get along. It’s wise to separate them because they attract similar pests, which can lead to significant infestations. Some members can also cross-pollinate with each other, resulting in undesirable combinations.
#2: Tomato
While some may consider tomatoes as companion plants for dill due to their pest-deterrent properties, the pairing is not ideal. Mature dill can actually inhibit the growth of tomato plants and other nightshades. If you choose to plant tomatoes and dill together, make sure to remove the dill plants before they mature.
In Conclusion
Companion planting is an exceptional technique that capitalizes on the beneficial relationships between plants. By incorporating the five recommended companion plants alongside dill, you can enhance your garden with natural pest control. However, it’s equally important to avoid planting dill near the two plant adversaries mentioned earlier to achieve success in your garden. With these tips in mind, may your garden thrive, and may your dill harvest be bountiful this season. Happy gardening!
