by Steve Yoder
Steve Yoder
I'm Steve, a 30-something urban gardener fascinated by companion planting research. Growing up surrounded by greenery sparked my passion for gardening early on. I enjoy transforming my small backyard, experimenting with companion planting techniques and eco-friendly practices. Sustainability matters—I advocate for native plants and composting.
Table of Contents
Beets are great for growing in your garden. If you’re planning on planting them, must know which plants will be good beet companion plants. It is also important to know which ones you must avoid. Some plants can help the growth of beets while others will hinder it. Let’s learn more about these great vegetable and beet companion plants!
Beets in a Nutshell
Beets prefer warm, sunny, but not too humid climates. Also, deep nutrient-rich soils with good watering are important. The beet body reacts to soil compaction with undesirable branching1. In spring the plant is sensitive to frost. In autumn it tolerates temperatures down to 5°C. The water need is particularly high in July and August.
First plant your beets in early spring, as soon as the soil is ready. Make successive plantings every 2 to 3 weeks until mid-summer.
Successive plantings are possible in summer. Be careful! You can do it as long as daytime temperatures do not exceed 24°C.
In soil with a temperature of at least 10 °C, germination takes place in 5 to 8 days. In colder soils, germination may take 2 to 3 weeks.
Before planting, soak your seeds in water for a whole day. In this way, you can boost your plants in areas with low humidity and rainfall.
For a fall crop, sow beet seeds from mid-summer to early fall, starting about 4 to 6 weeks before your first fall frost.
Winter crops are quite possible in zone 9 and warmer. Plant beets in early to late fall for a winter crop.
Best Beet Companion Plants
- Beans
- Onion
- Leeks
- Borage
- Marigold
- Clover
Beans
If you are planting beets with beans, plant them in alternating rows. The bean plants will help protect against disease problems in your beet crop. They compete with the help of shading against weeds that cause diseases.
Beans and beets grow in the same season, so their lifecycles don’t coincide with each other. This means you can plant one after the other. They won’t compete for sunlight or nutrients. They also like similar soil conditions. Beetroots love cool temperatures and lots of moisture. Bean seeds prefer warmer temperatures and dryer conditions.Reserach2shows that this companionship also helps each other grow faster.
For more information about beans companion plants: Beans Companion Plants – Which Ones Should be Chosen?
Onion & Leeks
Beets also do well when planted near onions and leeks! They all have similar cultural requirements. Plant them together in a bed or row to reap the benefits of their companionship.
Members of the Brassicaceae family are also good beet companion plants. This family includes broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and kale. These vegetables will not cross-pollinate one another, and they have different growing seasons.
What else grows best with onions, you can find here:
Borage
Borage is also one of the greatest beet companion plants. Borage is a member of the Asteraceae family. It is a wonderful plant, and everyone wants to have them in their garden. Also like beans, this herb also attracts bees. Plant them near your beets to fasten growth.
Marigold
Marigolds are one of the most popular beet companion plants. Marigold is a member of the Asteraceae family. This herb attracts bees, which are good for pollinating beets. Marigold also attracts butterflies and is also a good companion plant for beans.
What else goes well as marigold companion plants: Marigold Companion Plants – Definition of Beauty
Clover
Clovers do not only bring luck, they are also one of the greatest beet companion plants! It is a member of the Fabaceae family and gets well with many herbs. Clover deters pests and lures good insects. So, if you want to be lucky and have a beautiful garden at the same time – clover will be your solution.
What not to Grow with Beet
Now that we’ve established which good beet companion plants exist, let’s talk about their “bad neighbors.” Bad companions for beets include:
- Parsley
- Potatoes
- Chard
- Corn
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
These plants do not go well with beets, but i have good news for you! Here is a list of what grows best with these plants:
Potato: 8 Best Potato Companion Plants Helping your Crop Growing
Spinach: Spinach Companion Plants – 3 Best Members
References
- Romaneckas, K., Adamavičienė, A., Šarauskis, E., & Balandaitė, J. (2020). The impact of intercropping on soil fertility and sugar beet productivity.Agronomy,10(9), 1406.
- Sheha, A. M., Abou El-Enin, M. M., El-Hashash, E. F., Rady, M. M., El-Serafy, R. S., & Shaaban, A. (2022). The productivity and overall benefits of faba bean-sugar beet intercropping systems interacted with foliar-applied nutrients.Journal of Plant Nutrition, 1-18.
