For the fabulous fourth article in this series all about strategies to use for companion plants, I think you will be impressed. So far in this series I have shown grouping of plants that can be added to the garden to enhance Peas, Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage (brassicas), and Carrots. In this fourth article, I continue the theme of companion planting bundles by sharing my illustration of plants that grow well with tomatoes and sweet peppers.

The Tomato Bundle

Actually, this is the Tomato AND Sweet Pepper bundle, as they tend to have similar types of companion plants nearby that they prefer. This bundle can be modified to grow tomatoes only, peppers only, or both as I prefer.

Tomatoes and Sweet Peppers are warm weather crops. Often times these plants can show effects of diseases on their leaves when they are stressed after transplanting. They might suffer blight to the leaves. Shriveled leaves due to heat stress and lack of water. They can also wilt and succumb to fungus and insect infestations if the roots become waterlogged.

Having the right companion plants nearby can help to rid the soil of bad nematodes, retain water, and improve drainage. It can also ward off pests and prevent fungus attacks, and attract beneficial pollinators to increase the yield of bigger, healthier fruit.

Super Companions

All of these get a super boost by being planted within the Tomato Bundle.

• Basil
• Carrots
• Chives
• Onions
• Radish
• Sweet Pepper
• Tomato

Additional Companions

These ones should grow fine, but aren't super-boosted by any of the others nearby.

• Marigold
• Nasturtium
• Parsley
• Rosemary
• Sage

Sacrificial Plant

This one will help give the Tomatoes and Sweet Peppers a boost, but might do poorly because of energy sapping rival plants in the Carrots Bundle. Include it for a better Tomato and/or Sweet Pepper harvest, but do not expect it to provide an exceptional harvest.

• Lettuce (dislikes Parsley)

Optional Plants

This plant is generally helpful to have around, but do not over-plant it, because it can be a heavy feeder. It will attract many beneficial insects.

• Sunflower

For the shade-loving Lettuce, I will plant it in the back to keep it away from Parsley. Parsley will tolerate more heat and full sun, while Lettuce enjoys cooler air and dappled sunlight.

Tomatoes and Sweet Peppers should be spaced out generously, as instructed on the seed package instructions. I usually aim for one plant per square foot so the roots have plenty of space to spread out. Organic fertilizer applied to the soil will help keep these growing vigorously during the Summer, so make sure there is some open soil space around the roots to it can be sprinkled in.

All other companion plants can be intermingled randomly or evenly throughout the growing spaces between. If planting tomatoes in a circular bed, like I do, I think it is a good idea to cluster the most fragrant plants in the middle. Rooting plants like carrots, radish, and onions staggered throughout will improve the aeration and drainage in the soil, and possibly also ward off pests that lay eggs underground.

Site Location

Grow Bags Upper Garden: Our upper garden is enjoyed as one of the first sights we see across our lawn, facing the back deck. The area gets full sunlight every day. On the East and West sides of the grow beds are large tree-like shrubs, but the sun never casts a shadow from them onto my growing plot. A fence backs the area, along which I started growing wildflowers from seeds last year. Stray Arugula seeds have fallen onto the earth around the grow bags and allowed to naturalize into the area.

Arugula and Parsley from last year has overwintered in these grow bags, and they can be maintained for the coming year. Clover and Daikon Radish have also overwintered, and the clover can now be cut and raked into the soil to provide a green layer within the fresh compost I added. The Daikon Radish, I think I will uproot and photograph, because the soil is quite soft and fertile, and does not need the large root hogging up space.

A leftover Brussels Sprouts plant is towering over the center of one bag. This plant will need to go, as it competes with the needs of the tomatoes. I will allow it set flowers this Spring, and see what happens. It might provide one more harvest for me before I am ready to plant the Tomatoes. We still have a few more months before my warm weather plants will be ready to grow in these bags. When the time comes, I will chop it off at the soil level, and leave the roots in-tact, so they can decay naturally and feed the new plants coming in.

Since January I have been growing varieties of Tomatoes and Sweet Peppers indoors. I have plenty growing now, ready to go into these plots. Lettuce is the next thing on my list I am getting ready to start indoors, and they do not require as much growing time to get started. Other plants I am considering starting indoors soon, if I have space and time, are Nasturtium, Marigold, Onion, and Chives. Last year I also grew Nicotania (flowering tobacco) near my tomatoes, and I may consider doing that again because they have a wonderful sweet nectar fragrance and color. I have a couple of those growing indoors, but I may need to start a few more.

Basil and Sage I will be purchasing from a Garden Nursery. They can be grown from seed, but it's very difficult, and it's cheaper and less time and energy to buy healthy new starter plants.

Illustration

This image was drawn in pencil, and later inked in pen.

Markers were used to color in the image. Metallic green ink gel pens also added for special effect.

Anybody else enjoy coloring? Feel free to click the image for a full-scale view. I bet this would look even better with colored pencils.

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Be sure to check out all of the articles in this companion planting series:

• 1: Companion Plants Illustration: The Peas Bundle
• 2: Companion Plants Illustration: The Brassicals Bundle
• 3: Companion Plants Illustration: The Carrot Bundle

Coming Soon!

I've got more Companion Planting illustrations I'll be sharing through the week. They turned out really good, so I hope you stay tuned and check them out.

• Corn/Beans/Lettuce Bundles
• Apple/Fruit Trees Bundle

Thank you for checking out my hand-drawn art illustrations. May it inspire you to grow and thrive in all that you aspire to do.

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