There are some things in this world that go so well together. And, all that “togetherness” just makes each one even better. For example--peaches and cream; bacon and eggs; Batman and Robin; peanut butter and jelly, and, of course, Mickey and Minnie!
In the same way, there are some vegetables in our gardens that go so well together with particular flowers, that paired up, they just thrive.
Below is a fun summer quiz. Match the veggie with the correct flower and become a Master Gardener Guru. Hint: some flowers might match up with multiple veggies. Find the answers at the end of this blog.
Now that you're a Master Gardener Guru—here are a few more “best friends” for your vegetable garden.
| a. Tomatoes | 1. Cosmos |
| b. Pole beans | 2. Lavender |
| c. Pumpkins | 3. Marigolds |
| d. Lettuce | 4. Sweet Peas |
| e. Cucumbers | 5. Sunflowers |
MARIGOLDS
Plant marigolds with tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, potatoes, alliums, and zucchini.
Important: keep them away from beans and cabbage!
SWEET PEAS
These are great along a vegetable garden fence or mix them in with pole beans to attract bees and other wonderful pollinators.
SUNFLOWERS
What could make a happier garden than sunflowers planted with pumpkins, squash, corn, lettuce or tomatoes. Important: keep them away from beans and potatoes!
LAVENDER
Imagine how fragrant your veggie garden will be with lavender planted with chamomile, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, oregano, thyme, marjoram, sage, rosemary, basil, lemon balm and squash.
COSMOS
Plant prolific and delicate cosmos with tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, zucchini, squash, pumpkins, and eggplant and watch those veggies thrive.
ANSWERS: (As if you didn't know!)
a-3; b-4; c-5; d-2; e-1
BONUS POINTS: Come up with more “hand & glove” matches—like: Salt & Pepper; Thelma & Louise etc., etc.!!