Companion planting is a smart way to keep your garden healthy and safe from pests. By choosing plants that help each other, you can create a stronger garden ecosystem. Here are some great companion plants that can help with pest control:

1. Marigolds:

   • Marigolds release a natural chemical that keeps tiny worms called nematodes away.
   • They can also cut down harmful bugs like aphids and whiteflies by about half.

2. Basil:

   • Basil helps keep away pests like mosquitoes and flies.
   • When you plant basil with tomatoes, studies show you can get 20% more tomatoes!

3. Garlic and Onions:

   • These strong-smelling plants can scare off aphids, spider mites, and other bad bugs.
   • Planting garlic can help lower pest numbers by about a third.

4. Nasturtiums:

   • Nasturtiums attract pests like aphids, pulling them away from your more important plants.
   • Using them with plants like broccoli can cut pest problems by up to 40%.

5. Mint:

   • Mint can help keep away cabbage moths, ants, and aphids.
   • Just remember to plant it in pots, so it doesn’t take over your garden.

6. Coriander:

   • This herb draws in helpful insects like ladybugs, which eat aphids and other pests.
   • Planting coriander can boost ladybug populations by 300%!

Adding these companion plants to your garden can make it healthier, reduce the need for pesticides, and support more wildlife. By learning how plants work together, you can create a garden that fights off pests naturally.