If you’re an apple tree gardener looking for natural ways to boost the health and yield of your orchard, companion planting can be a game-changer.
It’s about growing plants together that support each other in various ways. With that in mind, here are the 17 best apple companion plants that you should consider.
17 Best Apple Companion Plants
Creating a thriving ecosystem for your apple orchard involves introducing various companion plants. Each of these plants offers unique benefits, ranging from pest deterrence and soil improvement to attracting pollinators. Here are the top 17 apple companion plants:
**Chives:** These onion-like herbs deter pests with their strong aroma and attract pollinators with their appealing purple flowers.
**Dill:** Known to attract beneficial insects, dill also offers allelopathic properties, inhibiting the growth of certain plants.
**Nasturtiums:** Besides attracting pollinators, nasturtiums can act as a ‘trap crop’ for pests, drawing them away from apple trees.
**Garlic:** With its strong, distinctive scent, garlic acts as a deterrent to many pests and certain fungal diseases.
**Fennel:** Despite its reputation for not playing well with other plants, fennel attracts a variety of beneficial pollinators.
**Marigolds, Borage, Clover, Yarrow, and Tansy:** This diverse group of flowering plants provides pest control, attracts pollinators, and improves soil health.
**Horseradish:** Known to deter pests, particularly apple maggots, horseradish also offers nutritional benefits to the soil.
**Comfrey and Alfalfa:** Both these plants are renowned for enriching the soil, acting like natural miners and pulling up vital nutrients.
**Rue:** Besides adding visual appeal, rue acts as an effective deterrent for several pests, including beetles and rodents.
**Mint:** This aromatic plant deters pests, attracts pollinators, and improves soil structure with its vigorous roots.
**Foxgloves and Daffodils:** These beautiful blooms lure bees and other pollinators and can also deter pests.
Consider incorporating these plants into your apple orchard and observe the results. You may be surprised at the transformation in the health and yield of your apple trees.
Understanding Companion Planting
Companion planting is a time-honored gardening strategy involving cultivating different plant species close to each other for mutual benefit. It’s like creating a close-knit neighborhood where everyone helps each other.
The practice can yield numerous benefits, like attracting friendly bugs that aid in pest control or pollination. Some companion plants work as natural pest repellents, driving away insects that could harm the apple trees.
Additionally, certain plants can enrich the soil, enhancing its fertility and, consequently, the health and yield of your apple trees. They do this by drawing essential nutrients from deep within the earth and releasing them back into the soil upon decomposition.
What’s more, companion planting adds a touch of visual diversity to your garden. It’s not just about functionality; the varying colors, textures, and heights can create an aesthetically pleasing and vibrant environment.
However, companion planting is not one-size-fits-all. It’s essential to understand the specific needs, preferences, and compatibilities of each plant.
Doing so will ensure that your plant pairings are harmonious and beneficial, not competitive or detrimental. In the case of apple trees, certain companion plants will work wonders while others may not be as effective.
Think of it as a harmonious symphony; each plant plays a unique role in the orchestra that is your garden. The key is to find the right balance and diversity that work for your specific situation.
1. Chives: A Natural Pest Repellant
Chives, with their onion-like scent and flavor, are an excellent companion plant for apple trees, mainly due to their natural pest repelling properties. They deter various pests that could pose a threat to your apple trees, such as aphids, a common pest that is known to attack apple trees. Chives’ strong smell confuses these pests, making it difficult for them to find their actual target.
Moreover, chives are also beneficial in attracting bees and other pollinators to your apple orchard, thanks to their attractive purple flowers. Pollination is crucial for apple production, and by drawing in these helpful insects, chives play a significant role in increasing your apple yield.
Additionally, chives are easy to grow and maintain. They’re hardy, perennial plants that come back year after year, providing consistent protection for your apple trees. They prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade, and they’re not overly picky about soil types.
One unique advantage of chives is that they can be grown almost anywhere in your garden. You can intersperse them amongst your apple trees, plant them in borders, or even grow them in pots and containers. This flexibility allows you to strategically place chives wherever you think your apple trees need the most protection.
Remember, in the garden symphony, chives are like the percussion section. They may not be the star of the show, but they play a vital role in the overall performance, protecting your apple trees from unwanted pests and promoting a healthier, more productive orchard.
2. Dill: Attracting Beneficial Insects
Dill, with its distinct aroma and delicate yellow flowers, is another fantastic companion for apple trees. This herb is a magnet for beneficial insects, particularly wasps and other predatory insects that prey on common apple tree pests like coddling moths and aphids. By attracting these beneficial insects, dill acts as a biological control system, helping to keep harmful insect populations in check.
In addition, dill is also a favorite of honeybees and other pollinators. These creatures are essential for apple production as they transfer pollen from the male parts of a flower to the female parts, enabling fruit formation. By drawing these pollinators to your apple trees, dill can help enhance your apple yield.
It’s worth noting that dill is an easy-to-grow annual plant that thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. However, because dill can grow quite tall – up to three feet or more – it’s best to plant it where it won’t shade your apple trees.
One unique feature of dill is its allelopathic properties. This means it can inhibit the growth of certain other plants, like carrots and tomatoes. So while it’s an excellent companion for apple trees, be mindful of where you plant dill in relation to other crops in your garden.
Consider dill as the conductors of your garden orchestra, drawing in the beneficial insects that contribute to the overall health and productivity of your apple orchard.
3. Nasturtiums: A Dual-Purpose Companion Plant
Nasturtiums are not only admired for their vibrant blooms but also their ability to serve a dual-purpose in an apple orchard. On one hand, their bright, colorful flowers are great at attracting a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, which are essential for apple production.
On the other hand, nasturtiums can also act as a ‘trap crop’ or ‘sacrificial plant’, drawing pests like aphids away from your apple trees. Aphids are particularly attracted to nasturtiums and will often choose to infest them instead of your precious apple trees, thereby providing a natural form of pest control.
In addition to these benefits, nasturtiums are also incredibly easy to grow. They thrive in full sun to partial shade, and although they prefer well-drained soil, they’re remarkably tolerant of poor soil conditions. This makes them a suitable option for virtually any garden setting.
One aspect to note about nasturtiums is their tendency to sprawl and spread. While this can be useful for providing ground cover, it might also mean that they could potentially crowd out other plants if not kept in check. Therefore, you’ll want to monitor their growth and spread them out as needed.
All in all, nasturtiums offer a blend of aesthetic appeal and practical benefits. Their lively blossoms can inject color and vitality into your apple orchard, while their ability to attract pollinators and distract pests can contribute significantly to the health and productivity of your apple trees. So, in your garden symphony, consider nasturtiums as the violinists, adding both harmony and dynamism to the ensemble.
4. Garlic: Providing a Pest Barrier
Garlic is a powerful addition to the list of best apple companion plants. Renowned for its culinary uses and health benefits, garlic plays a critical role as a natural pest deterrent in your apple orchard. The strong, distinctive scent of garlic serves as a repellant to many potential pests, such as apple borers and root maggots, helping to create a protective barrier around your apple trees.
Additionally, garlic has an added advantage in that it requires very little space. Its slender, upright growth habit allows it to be planted in between your apple trees without competing for sunlight. This means you can plant garlic strategically throughout your orchard to provide an effective, widespread pest deterrent.
However, it’s not just pests that garlic deters. It can also discourage certain fungal diseases. This is because garlic contains sulfur, a natural fungicide that can help prevent diseases such as apple scab and powdery mildew.
Despite its strong scent, garlic won’t deter pollinators. Bees and other beneficial insects seem to be unfazed by the smell and will continue to visit your apple trees for pollination.
Garlic is a hardy, easy-to-grow plant. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil but can tolerate a variety of conditions. Planting it in the fall will allow it to establish a good root system over the winter, ready to grow vigorously in the spring.
Think of garlic as the security guards in your garden orchestra, providing a protective barrier that helps keep your apple trees safe and healthy.
5. Fennel: Inviting More Pollinators
Fennel is a plant species that has been known to play a vital role in inviting a multitude of beneficial pollinators to your apple orchard. Its golden-yellow blossoms are a favorite among many pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. Their presence not only contributes to the pollination of your apple trees but also keeps harmful insect populations in check by predating on pests like aphids.
Additionally, fennel has a tall, upright growth habit, meaning it won’t compete for space or sunlight with your apple trees. This tall, feathery plant provides a striking visual contrast against the stout, robust form of apple trees, adding to the aesthetic appeal of your garden.
Despite its benefits, it’s important to remember that fennel is a strong self-seeder and can become invasive if not managed properly. To avoid this, consider growing it in containers or remove the flower heads before they set seed.
An interesting fact about fennel is that while it attracts many beneficial insects, it has a reputation for not playing well with other plants. It’s a bit of a garden loner, making it an ideal candidate for strategic placement around the borders of your apple orchard.
In the grand orchestra of your garden, consider fennel as the woodwind section. It stands tall and plays a vital role in attracting a diverse array of pollinators to your apple orchard, helping to ensure a healthy, abundant harvest. Just remember to keep an eye on it to prevent it from outgrowing its assigned part in the symphony.
6-10. Marigolds, Borage, Clover, Yarrow, and Tansy: The Flower Power
Marigolds, borage, clover, yarrow, and tansy form the colorful quintet of your apple orchard. Their bright blooms create a feast for the eyes, while their individual properties enhance the overall well-being of your apple trees.
Marigolds, for instance, release a potent scent that keeps pests like nematodes and beetles at bay. They also have the added benefit of attracting pollinators, ensuring your apple trees get the cross-pollination they need for fruit production.
Borage, on the other hand, works more subtly. It’s a favorite among honeybees and other beneficial insects, serving as an inviting pit-stop that helps to maintain a steady stream of pollinators to your orchard. Meanwhile, its deep-rooted structure pulls up essential nutrients from the depths of the soil, enriching the immediate surroundings of your apple trees.
Clover follows suit with its nitrogen-fixing properties, converting atmospheric nitrogen into a plant-friendly form, thus boosting soil fertility. Additionally, clover’s dense growth habit serves as an excellent ground cover, preventing soil erosion and retaining moisture.
The feathery leaves and clustered flowers of yarrow make it a great attraction for predatory insects. This predator-prey dynamic helps maintain a balanced ecosystem, keeping potential apple tree pests in check. Lastly, tansy, with its distinctive yellow flowers and strong aroma, acts as a deterrent to many flying insects, including the apple sawfly and codling moth.
This diverse group of flowering plants, each with its unique strengths, acts as a collective force within your apple orchard, providing pest control, attracting pollinators, and improving soil health. This potent combination of beauty and functionality makes them a valuable addition to your apple companion plants ensemble.
11. Horseradish: A Pest Deterrent
Horseradish is a perennial plant that’s recognized for its robust flavor and distinctive, pungent aroma. However, in the context of an apple orchard, it’s this potent scent that sets horseradish apart. Known to confuse and deter many pests, horseradish can act as an effective natural pest repellent in your apple orchard, particularly against the infamous apple maggot.
Apple maggots are a common threat to apple trees and can cause significant damage if left unchecked. However, the intense smell of horseradish can confuse these pests, disrupting their ability to locate your apple trees, and hence, minimizing their potential damage. What’s more, horseradish is a hardy plant that requires minimal care, making it an ideal choice for organic and low-maintenance gardeners.
In addition to its pest-deterrent properties, horseradish also offers nutritional benefits. Its deep roots mine the subsoil for nutrients, bringing them up to the surface and making them available for your apple trees.
Horseradish plants prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade. They grow best in well-drained soil and can reach heights of up to five feet, providing a visually striking contrast to the lower growth habit of apple trees. However, horseradish can be invasive if not managed properly. Therefore, it’s advisable to grow it in containers or designated areas of your garden.
To wrap up, consider horseradish as the brass section in your garden orchestra. While it may not be the most obvious choice for a companion plant, it plays a vital role in pest deterrence, contributing to the overall well-being and productivity of your apple orchard. Just make sure to keep it in check, so it doesn’t overpower the rest of the ensemble.
12-13. Comfrey and Alfalfa: The Nutrient Boosters
Comfrey and alfalfa are two powerhouses when it comes to enriching the soil in your apple orchard. Both these plants are renowned for their deep-root systems that act like natural miners, delving deep into the earth and pulling up vital nutrients, specifically nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These are then released back into the soil as the plants decompose, providing a natural, organic fertilizer for your apple trees.
Comfrey, often called ‘nature’s healer’, can also aid in soil conditioning. Its broad, lush leaves can be used as mulch, contributing to soil moisture retention and weed suppression, thus creating a more conducive environment for your apple trees to thrive. Additionally, its bell-shaped flowers attract several beneficial insects, adding another layer of utility to this wonderful plant.
On the other hand, alfalfa, often hailed as the ‘king of cover crops’, not only improves soil fertility but also aids in breaking up compacted soil with its strong, penetrating roots. This helps improve soil structure and water infiltration, promoting a healthier root system for your apple trees.
Both these plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil, and they are relatively easy to grow. However, they can become quite large, so it’s important to allocate enough space for them in your apple orchard.
With comfrey and alfalfa playing their parts in your garden symphony, they act like the nutrient-rich soil that nourishes the roots of each plant, providing the necessary sustenance for a flourishing, fruitful apple orchard.
14. Rue: A General Health Booster
Rue, a hardy evergreen herb, makes an excellent addition to the list of best apple companion plants. Beyond its medicinal uses and spiritual connotations in different cultures, rue has a significant role to play in the health of your apple orchard.
This potent plant is known to repel several pests, including Japanese beetles and flea beetles, which can be harmful to apple trees. The strong scent of rue can disorient these pests, keeping your apple trees safe from potential damage.
Beyond its pest-repelling attributes, rue’s bluish-green leaves and bright yellow flowers add a splash of color to your apple orchard, creating a visually appealing contrast against the backdrop of apple trees. It also attracts beneficial insects, such as the Swallowtail butterfly, that add to the overall ecological balance of your garden.
Rue is a hardy plant, thriving in a variety of soil types. It prefers full sun, but can tolerate partial shade. However, rue can be potent, and some people might experience skin irritation when handling the plant, so it’s best to wear gloves when planting or pruning rue.
Furthermore, as rue is a strong self-seeder, it can become invasive if not properly managed. It’s advisable to remove the seed heads before they spread to control its growth.
In the symphony of your apple orchard, rue plays the role of a powerful soloist, providing an overall health boost to your apple trees. Its dual ability to deter pests and attract beneficial insects makes it a worthy ally in your pursuit of a thriving, fruitful apple orchard.
15. Mint: Multipurpose Companion
Mint, a favorite among gardeners for its invigorating fragrance and culinary uses, also holds a place of honor in the apple orchard. This versatile plant provides a myriad of benefits, including pest deterrence and attracting beneficial insects.
Its strong, distinct aroma can repel a variety of pests, including ants and rodents, that could potentially harm your apple trees. At the same time, the bright, delicate flowers of mint are a beacon for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, contributing to successful apple pollination.
However, it’s not just above ground where mint proves its worth. Mint’s vigorous root system can help improve soil structure by breaking up hard soil, enhancing aeration, and promoting healthier root growth for your apple trees.
Growing mint is relatively straightforward, but it’s worth noting that this plant can be quite vigorous and spread rapidly if not controlled. Therefore, it may be best to grow mint in containers or dedicated garden beds to prevent it from becoming invasive. It’s a hardy perennial that thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil.
In the orchestra of your apple orchard, consider mint as the multi-instrumentalist. Its myriad benefits make it a versatile addition to your ensemble of apple companion plants, playing multiple roles to enhance the health, yield, and aesthetic appeal of your orchard.
Whether it’s confusing pests with its aroma, beckoning pollinators with its flowers, or improving soil structure with its roots, mint has got it covered.
16-17. Foxgloves and Daffodils: Adding Beauty and Benefits
Foxgloves and daffodils are two garden favorites that play essential roles in the apple orchard, offering a delightful blend of aesthetic charm and practical functionality. Foxgloves, known for their tall, bell-shaped flowers, serve as an irresistible lure for bees and other pollinators.
These beneficial insects are instrumental in cross-pollinating your apple trees, facilitating fruit production. At the same time, foxgloves’ deep roots help improve soil structure, benefiting the overall health of your apple orchard.
On the other hand, daffodils bring a different set of benefits. Besides their undeniable beauty, these cheerful blooms act as an effective deterrent for pests, especially rodents that can potentially damage young apple trees by girdling their trunks. The presence of daffodils can thus serve as a protective barrier, keeping your apple trees safe from such destructive pests.
Both foxgloves and daffodils are relatively easy to grow and maintain, preferring full sun and well-drained soil. The burst of color they add to the apple orchard not only boosts its visual appeal but also adds another layer of biodiversity, promoting a healthier, more balanced garden ecosystem.
In the orchestral ensemble of your apple orchard, think of foxgloves and daffodils as the violas and cellos. Their harmonious interplay of beauty and functionality adds depth and richness to your garden symphony, enhancing the overall performance of your apple trees.
As with any other companion plant, ensure they are given enough space to grow without overshadowing your apple trees, creating a landscape that’s both stunning and mutually beneficial.
Tips on Implementing Companion Planting
Embarking on the journey of companion planting can be an exciting adventure, but it’s essential to approach it with mindfulness and patience. Start by introducing a few companion plants to your apple orchard and keenly observe the interactions and impacts they have on each other and the overall environment. This will provide insights into what works best for your specific garden conditions.
Crop rotation is another crucial strategy to employ. This involves changing the position of your plants periodically. This practice helps prevent the accumulation of pests that favor specific plants and also aids in preserving the fertility of your soil by not allowing a single type of crop to deplete the same nutrients year after year.
Maintain a sense of balance and avoid overcrowding. Each plant in your apple orchard, from the tallest apple tree to the smallest herb, needs adequate space to grow and thrive. Overcrowding can lead to competition for resources and may hinder the overall growth and health of your plants.
Remember that variety is the spice of life, and this holds true in companion planting as well. Planting a diverse range of companions can result in a more balanced and resilient garden ecosystem.
Each plant brings a unique set of benefits to the table, from pest control and soil enrichment to attracting pollinators and adding visual appeal. The key is finding the right mix that works best for your apple orchard.
Finally, don’t shy away from experimenting and learning from your experiences. Companion planting is as much an art as it is a science, and there’s always something new to discover. Happy gardening!
Conclusion: Companion Planting – A Win-Win
Embracing companion planting is about fostering a mutually beneficial environment where each plant helps the others to thrive. With the detailed guide on the top 17 companion plants for apple trees, you now have the knowledge to cultivate a robust, productive, and visually appealing apple orchard.
This approach not only enhances your orchard’s health and yield but also promotes biodiversity and natural pest management. It’s a garden strategy that truly benefits every member of the ecosystem.
So, embark on this enriching journey of companion planting and let your apple orchard sing its harmonious symphony, flourishing in the diversity and cooperation of its plant ensemble.
It’s a testament to the adage that together, we achieve more. Experience the transformative power of companion planting and enjoy the plentiful rewards it brings to your apple orchard.
Apple Companion Plants FAQs
Companion planting with apple trees raises a lot of questions. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers:
Q: Can I plant all the 17 apple companion plants together?
A: While variety is good, not all companion plants might be suitable for your specific garden conditions. Start with a few and observe their interactions. Avoid overcrowding as each plant needs adequate space to thrive.
Q: How often should I rotate the crops?
A: It’s advisable to rotate crops each planting season. This helps prevent the build-up of pests and maintain soil fertility.
Q: Do all companion plants deter pests?
A: Not all companion plants deter pests. Some attract beneficial insects, others enrich the soil or add visual appeal to your orchard. Each has a unique role to play.
Q: I’ve heard fennel can be invasive. How can I control its growth?
A: Fennel can indeed become invasive due to its strong self-seeding ability. Consider growing it in containers or remove the flower heads before they set seed.
Q: How does mint improve soil structure?
A: Mint’s vigorous root system can break up hard soil, enhancing aeration and promoting healthier root growth for your apple trees.
Remember, companion planting is about creating a balanced ecosystem. You might need to experiment a bit to find the perfect harmony for your apple orchard. Happy gardening!
