ChivesAllium schoenoprasumrepels pests
Lower-confidence guild pairing: aromatic foliage can confuse pests in dense polyculture beds when spacing and airflow are maintained.
What to plant with Turnip
Brassica rapa
Turnip grows best when paired with plants that repels pests, acts as a trap crop, attracts pollinators. We've catalogued 12 beneficial companions and 4 antagonists to avoid. Every pairing below cites its mechanism — pest deterrence, nitrogen fixing, allelopathy, or shared disease.
Want the full profile? See Turnip botanical profile →
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Plant near these for better growth
12 plantsArtemisia dracunculusArtemisia dracunculusrepels pests
Lower-confidence guild pairing: aromatic foliage can confuse pests in dense polyculture beds when spacing and airflow are maintained.
NasturtiumTropaeolum majusacts as a trap crop
Lower-confidence guild pairing: trap crops can draw aphids or flea beetles away from the main crop when monitored and removed if overloaded.
BorageBorago officinalisattracts pollinators
Lower-confidence guild pairing: insectary flowers support pollinators, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps around mixed vegetable beds.
YarrowAchillea millefoliumattracts pollinators
Lower-confidence guild pairing: insectary flowers support pollinators, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps around mixed vegetable beds.
Anise HyssopAgastache foeniculumattracts pollinators
Lower-confidence guild pairing: insectary flowers support pollinators, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps around mixed vegetable beds.
GarlicAllium sativumrepels pests
Lower-confidence guild pairing: aromatic foliage can confuse pests in dense polyculture beds when spacing and airflow are maintained.
Pot marigoldCalendula officinalisattracts pollinators
Lower-confidence guild pairing: insectary flowers support pollinators, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps around mixed vegetable beds.
Fagopyrum esculentumFagopyrum esculentumattracts pollinators
Lower-confidence guild pairing: insectary flowers support pollinators, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps around mixed vegetable beds.
White CloverTrifolium repenslives as mulch
Lower-confidence guild pairing: low ground covers protect soil, reduce bare patches, and can be cut back if they compete.
HyssopHyssopus officinalisrepels pests
Lower-confidence guild pairing: aromatic foliage can confuse pests in dense polyculture beds when spacing and airflow are maintained.
RadishRaphanus sativusacts as a trap crop
Lower-confidence guild pairing: trap crops can draw aphids or flea beetles away from the main crop when monitored and removed if overloaded.
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Keep away from these they fight
4 plantsSpearmintMentha spicatacompetes for resources
Management warning: vigorous spreaders or allelopathic plants are best isolated from productive beds unless contained.
FennelFoeniculum vulgareinhibits growth
Management warning: fennel is traditionally grown apart because it can inhibit neighbouring crops and disrupt guild balance.
Jerusalem artichokeHelianthus tuberosuscompetes for resources
Management warning: vigorous spreaders or allelopathic plants are best isolated from productive beds unless contained.
FennelFoeniculum vulgarecompetes for resources
Management warning: vigorous spreaders or allelopathic plants are best isolated from productive beds unless contained.
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How these mechanisms work
pest repellent
Strong aromatics like basil, garlic, and marigold mask the olfactory cues that pests use to find their target crop.
trap crop
A sacrificial crop draws pests away from the main harvest.
pollinator attractor
Flowering herbs draw bees, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps — improving fruit set and biological pest control.
living mulch
A low-growing perennial covers bare soil under taller crops, reducing evaporation and weed pressure.
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Frequently asked
What are the best companion plants for Turnip?
The top companions are Chives, Artemisia dracunculus, Nasturtium. 9 more pairings are catalogued above with their mechanisms.
What should I NOT plant near Turnip?
Avoid Spearmint, Fennel, Jerusalem artichoke, and 1 other antagonists. Reasons vary — allelopathy, shared pests, or resource competition. See the section above for each plant's specific issue.
Can companion planting reduce pest damage on Turnip?
Aromatic companions deter many pests through scent masking and alarm pheromones. Effect varies by pest species and density — most effective as part of a polyculture, not a one-plant solution.
Is companion planting scientifically proven?
Some mechanisms are well-documented (legume nitrogen fixation, allelopathy in walnut and fennel, nematode suppression by marigolds). Others are traditional pairings with anecdotal support. We cite both, but mark mechanism strength where available.
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Other Brassicaceae
Plants in the same botanical family — often share cultivation needs and pest sensitivities.
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