Garden Vegetable Garden Ideas 8 Plants You Should Always Grow Next to Kale, According to Pro Gardeners These advantageous neighbors offer a variety of benefits. By Emily Hayes Emily Hayes Emily Hayes has worked as a reporter, writer, and editor for more than a decade. In addition to writing for MarthaStewart.com, Emily is an editor with U.S. News and World Report. She graduated from Jacksonville State University with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and is based in metro Atlanta. Editorial Guidelines Published on November 22, 2024 Close Photo: Mrs Clooney / GETTY IMAGES It’s no wonder you've chosen to grow kale in your garden—it's packed with vitamins and antioxidants and offers many health perks. However, the benefits of growing companion plants with your kale can't be overstated—and choosing the right neighbors for this superfood can make its dark, green leaves even heartier. Whether you want to ward off unwanted pests, attract helpful insects, or replenish the soil's nutrients, here are the most advantageous neighbors that our experts recommend. Meet the Expert Sarah Akovic, a regenerative farmer and crop production instructor for the Sustainable Agriculture Program at Lorain County Community College Luay Ghafari, creator and recipe developer at Urban Farm and Kitchen Jonas Portillo, food program associate at the Case Western Reserve University Farm How to Harvest Kale So It Keeps Growing All Season Long 01 of 08 Beans and Peas Tianika / GETTY IMAGES Kale is a heavy feeder, meaning it uses a lot of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. According to Sarah Akovic, a regenerative farmer and instructor at Lorain County Community College, beans and peas help fix nitrogen into the soil. This is due to a relationship with Rhizobium bacteria, which lives in nodules on the root of the plant and turns atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use for growth. Zones: 1 to 11 (depending on type)Size: Up to 15 feet high and 3 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; fertile, well-drained soil A Guide to the Most Common Types of Peas 02 of 08 Onions YuriyS / Getty Images Interplanting kale with onions will help to prevent an array of pests from eating the leaves. "I've found that not only is my pest level lower when these two are planted together, but my kale is larger and more vibrant as well," says Jonas Portillo, food program associate at the Case Western Reserve University Farm. Zones: 1 to 11 (depending on type)Size: 12 to 36 inches tall and up to 12 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil 03 of 08 Leafy Greens Getty / Martin Hambleton It's a good idea to protect kale from pests with a row cover. "Other leafy greens, like collards and Swiss chard, are also prone to attacks by cabbage butterflies and leaf miner flies," says Luay Ghafari, creator of and recipe developer at Urban Farm and Kitchen. "It's good practice to plant leafy greens together in the same bed. That way, they can be easily covered to protect from pest pressure." Zones: 2 to 11Size: 12 to 24 inches high and 9 to 18 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun; moist, light, fertile soil 04 of 08 Garlic Xiuxia Huang / Getty Images When planted together, the strong odor of garlic can repel pests like slugs, spider mites, cabbage loopers, and worms. "Planting kale with garlic can also maximize space in a garden, while also providing ground cover and retaining soil moisture," says Akovic. Zones: 4 to 9Size: 12 to 24 inches tall and up to 12 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun; fertile, well-drained soil How to Know When Garlic Is Ready to Harvest—Plus the Best Way to Do It 05 of 08 Dill Devid / Getty Images You'll need to ward off some pests, but you'll want to attract beneficial insects as well. Dill is a great companion plant for kale because it can attract these insects, like ladybugs, which feast on aphids. "Aphids tend to become problematic for brassicas, especially kale," says Akovic. "Planting these crops together can act as a natural pest management practice." Zones: 2 to 11Size: 36 to 60 inches high and 24 to 36 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun; fertile, well-drained soil 06 of 08 Radishes GETTY IMAGES Radishes and kale may not seem similar, but they belong to the Brassicaceae family and offer benefits when grown together. "If you're short on space, interplanting radishes with kale plants helps maximize a limited garden area," says Ghafari. The radishes will mature quickly, allowing you to harvest them before the kale takes over and needs more room." Zones: 2 to 11Size: 24 to 36 inches high and up to 24 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun; loamy or sandy soil 07 of 08 Nasturtiums Musat / GETTY IMAGES Nasturtiums are a multipurpose flower that are fairly easy to grow and maintain. They're decorative, edible, and can be used as a trap crop to attract aphids. "Kale is prone to attacks from aphids, especially as the growing season progresses," says Ghafari. "Using nasturtiums as a trap crop will help redirect them." Zones: 2 to 11Size: Up to 10 feet high and 36 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun; average, slightly acidic soil How to Grow and Care for Nasturtium 08 of 08 Marigolds rrecrutt / GETTY IMAGES If there was an award for the best companion plant, marigolds would be a top contender. "Marigolds attract a range of beneficial insects to your garden, while helping to deter some pests with their strong scent," says Portillo. In addition to bringing color and beauty, there are also some edible varieties of marigolds that have citrusy petals. Zones: 2 to 11Size: 12 to 24 inches high and wideCare requirements: Full to partial sun; moderately fertile, well-drained soil Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit