Corn Companion Planting Chart: 6 Plants Are Strongly Recommended

Is there any real advantage to growing companion plants with corn? Yes, there are far too many advantages to this. Crops harvested with companion plants help to create a natural environment.

However, planting the plant with unsuitable crops can ruin your harvest. So, how do you know if you’re on the right track? Make use of the corn companion planting chart to help you plan your garden.

This article will provide you with all of the information you need to know about planting corn with companion plants. Everything from the benefits of companion plants to the best companion plants for your corn garden can be found here.

Corn Companion Planting Chart: The Complete List

Do you know what a corn companion plant is? Plants, on the other hand, help corn grow. As you may know, a companion plant provides certain benefits to help crops produce more effectively.

But which plants are best for growing corn? Check out the list below.

Companion PlantBenefits
Green beansAttracts helpful insects to eat away corn pests
LimeAdds Magnesium and Calcium to the soil
MelonsPrevents weed growth and keeps the soil moist
BorageDeters pest worms from corn
MintKeeps grazing animals away
Pole beansProvides nitrogen in the soil

Now let’s check their benefits in detail.

Green Beans As Corn Companion Plant

Green beans are one of the best corn plants. Beneficial insects that eat corn and kernel pests are drawn to this plant. Leaf beetles, leafhoppers, and fall armyworms, for example, are drawn to green beans.

The best part about these insects is that they are harmless to corn. As a result, it’s a win-win situation.

Lime As Corn Companion Plant

Magnesium, calcium, and sulfur are the three most important elements for corn. When it comes to enriching soil with Mg and Ca, lime is the best. In other words, it’s the ideal plant for turning the soil into a nutrient-rich environment for corn.

Melons As Corn Companion Plant

Melons make excellent vine plants. They cover a large area by spreading out along the ground. This keeps weeds at bay. Furthermore, melon is effective at keeping the soil perfectly moist for corn development.

Cucumber and winter squash produce identical results. These plants aid the soil in retaining necessary moisture.

Borage As Corn Companion Plant

Borage has lovely flowers that attract beneficial insects. These insects benefit the plant by consuming harmful pests. Worms are also deterred by this plant.

In other words, borage provides complete insect resistance for corn. Marigolds have the same effect on many crops.

Mint As Corn Companion Plant

While other aromatic plants, such as dill and thyme, are effective at repelling insects, mint deters larger prey. Many grazing animals, such as deer and cows, enjoy corn. A fence alone will not always keep them away from your crops.

Mint can save your harvest in this situation. Plant mint plants along the edge of your cornfield, and the aroma should keep all grazing animals at bay.

Pole Beans As Corn Companion Plant

Nitrogen is one of the elements required by all plants. The larger corn plants require it more than usual. Pole beans can help your corn plants by providing extra nitrogen.

Aside from that, pole beans help to strengthen the soil. Except for repelling insects, this plant does everything for corn.

These are the most important corn companion plants. Your decision is entirely dependent on the state of your crops. Determine what your cornfield is missing and plant the option that will compensate for that loss.

Why Plant The Companion Plants With Corn? (Top Benefits)

Hold your horses if you intend to plant different types of corn together. Before we get started, consider all of the advantages of having companion plants with corn listed below.

1. Puts Off Pests

Certain plants, such as garlic, serve as natural pest deterrents. Typically, the smell of these plants repels all insects and harmful pests.

2. Attracting Helpful Insects

Some attractive plants, such as borage, attract beneficial insects. Borage attracts pollinating bees. This aids in the overall growth of corn in your garden.

Some plants also attract pest-eating wasps. They will not harm your plant, but will consume all of the insects that are slowly devouring your crops.

3. Improve Soil Quality

Typically, the plants suck up soil nutrients, leaving the ground dry and unsuitable for other plants. However, many plants are known to improve soil quality. The lime tree, for example, adds magnesium and calcium to the soil. Both of these nutrient elements are required for proper corn growth.

4. Minimizes The Growth Of Weed

Weeds are detrimental to your crops. However, dealing with them on a regular basis is a pain in the neck. You can easily solve this problem by planting more and more companion trees around your corn plants. Extra plants will consume all of the nutrients in the soil, leaving nothing for the weed.

5. It Saves Tons Of Space

Having multiple plants on a single plot of land saves a significant amount of space. Harvest everything in a single field rather than assigning different plots to different plants. This will not only increase your output but also free up a lot of space for other crops.

These advantages are unquestionably advantageous to you. As you can see, having a companion plant will not only help your plant grow more efficiently, but it will also allow you to save money and space.

What Happens if You Choose the Wrong Companion Plant?

Your trees’ companions are companion trees. However, in order to reap their benefits, you must use the right plant in the right way. What happens if you don’t? Here’s what happens if you use the wrong companion plants in your cornfield:

1. Not Enough Space For The Plants To Breathe

Your corn requires enough space to absorb nutrients from the soil and absorb sunlight. If other plants intrude on your crop’s personal space, the crop will not grow as well.

To avoid negative consequences, keep enough space between the crops.

2. Problems With Watering

Some crops require little water, while others require a lot. When these two types of crops are planted next to each other, a huge problem arises. If you overwater the plant, it will die because it has a low water-holding capacity. On the other hand, if you water too little, the plant with the highest fluid demand will become weaker quickly.

This issue has a straightforward solution. Simply keep the soil moist at all times.

3. Unnecessary shading

Shade is provided by some crops, usually tall ones. While shade is beneficial to some plants, this is not the case with corn. Corn does not grow well in shady areas because it requires direct sunlight.

This is why you should avoid planting tall crops near your corn. It will assist your crops in growing faster and with more nutrients.

As you can see, the disadvantages of planting companion plants are not complicated. You can easily avoid the complications of the wrong companion plants if you know how to handle the situation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a good companion for corn?

Some of the most popular companion plants for corn are borage, cucumber, and pole beans. These plants attract beneficial insects, repel harmful pests, and provide your cornfield with adequate nutrients and moisture.

What should not be planted near corn?

Never grow cabbage, tomatoes, eggplants, or fennel near a cornfield. These plants will significantly impede corn growth.

Can I grow carrots and corn together?

Yes, carrots and corn can be grown together. Carrots are an excellent corn companion because they can significantly strengthen the soil.

Can tomatoes and corn be planted near each other?

Tomatoes and corn should not be planted together. Tomatoes are known to attract hornworms and earworms. Corn and cornfields are at risk from these insects.

Conclusion

Not every plant is compatible with corn. Some are extremely beneficial to their growth, whereas others are likely to destroy corn from the root. However, now that you have the corn companion planting chart in your hands, you should have no trouble arranging your field correctly. Examine the benefits of each companion plant to see which one will help your corn field thrive the most. After you’ve made your selection, plant them in the proper order to achieve the best results. However, no matter what you do, regular garden maintenance is essential. Nothing can take the place of this need.