12 Companion Plants to Grow with Artichokes : Artichoke plants are drawn to light. They have the potential to develop to a decent height and width, an intriguing-looking flower bud, and an amazing purple bloom that attracts bees in plenty. You can cultivate a lot of companion plants with artichokes, despite their preference for being the star of the show.
12 Companion Plants to Grow with ArtichokesÂ
When growing artichokes, spacing will be important. When the plants are big, they can cast a lot of shade, so you have to be careful not to shade out other plants. Nevertheless, you have a lot of excellent options to pick from, and many of them go nicely together on the dish.
1. Arugula
Arugula pairs well with artichokes since it requires full sun in cool weather but enjoys shade in warmer climates. Since the arugula’s shallow root structure won’t compete with artichoke roots, you may probably harvest it before either plant causes issues.
When arugula blooms, hoverflies are drawn to it, and they consume the aphids that prefer to feed on artichokes. To help your aphid population stay low and allow nature to do its job, leave some arugula behind.
2. Asparagus
While artichokes are harvested in the spring and fall, asparagus can be harvested in late spring or early summer. But it’s preferable if these two are a little apart because asparagus produces towering, fern-like fronds during the off-season. If you have enough of space, think about planting rows of asparagus and artichokes alternately, spaced a few feet apart. This will allow you to create an excellent perennial vegetable garden and have annual harvests from both crops.
Arrange your asparagus plants no closer than two feet from the artichokes. They will contend for subterranean space because they have similar root depths. If the plants are spaced correctly, they will have enough room to spread their legs!
3. Borage
For the goal of controlling pests, borage is a useful herb to have in your garden. Because aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies frequently attack artichokes, you should put borage close by. It has the ability to draw in predatory insects that will devour the pests bothering your artichokes, such as hoverflies and parasitic wasps.
4. Cabbage
Due to their similar needs to artichokes, cabbage (and other relatives of Brassica) make an excellent companion plant. These plants require a lot of watering and fertilization because they are big feeders and quite thirsty. But if you’re growing them together, taking care of them won’t be that tough.
5. Calendula
Although calendula attracts a lot of pests, you can take advantage of this and grow calendula as a trap crop. Calendula is a favorite food of many pests that eat artichokes, including as slugs, aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, and flea beetles. Once the calendula plants are covered in slugs and bugs, you have two options: either pull the plants or let the pests eat the calendula.
6. Corn
In warm locations, artichokes prefer the mild temperatures of spring and fall, but summer can be too much for them. Should this be the case for you, you can grow maize to the west of your artichokes so that they will have some shelter from the afternoon sun. By the time the weather warms up, the corn should be tall enough to shade the artichokes.
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7. Kale
Given that they both need similar maintenance, kale and artichokes can make a wonderful combination. Throughout the colder months, they both require an abundance of water and sunshine. When the weather heats up, kale also likes the shade, so if your artichokes are at their tallest, they can withstand a little extra shade in the afternoon.
8. Onions
Full sun and at least once weekly watering are ideal growing conditions for onions. They won’t grow enormous bulbs, but they can withstand some shade. If they don’t get along with your artichokes, try growing them in containers and keeping them close by.
9. Peas
As heavy feeders, artichokes require lots of nitrogen to grow big, beautiful leaves. Planting peas with artichokes every year is a smart idea since they will gradually contribute nitrogen to the soil. To help spread nitrogen throughout the soil, you can plant artichokes and peas in alternate rows, but make sure each plant gets plenty of sunlight.
10. Radishes
Radishes are an easy crop you can plant just about anywhere. They need sunlight in spring but welcome partial shade as the temperatures warm up. You can plant them partially under artichoke leaves if they get dappled sunlight throughout the day. Their shallow taproot won’t interfere with artichokes.
11. Rutabaga
Though they can withstand some shadow, rutabagas like full sun, so it won’t be the worst if artichokes wind up providing some shade for them. It also prefers soil that stays continually moist, so watering should not be too problematic between the two.
12. Sunflowers
Another crop that shields artichokes from the summer sun is sunflowers. To ensure that the sunflowers receive maximum sunlight while the artichokes cool down during the afternoon heat, plant them on the west side of your garden.
Last Words
Whether you want to eat them or just admire their lovely blossoms, artichokes are visually appealing and enjoyable plants to grow. There are plenty other plants you may plant next to your artichokes to serve as helpful, beneficial garden companions, even if they can take up a lot of room.
