9 Best companion plants for okra.
Okra is one of the vegetables that is widely used for cooking purposes in many countries. It is one of the easiest vegetables to grow for beginner gardeners. This plant belongs to the same family of hibiscus and can be easily attacked by pests and many insects. Practising companion planting is one way to reduce the attack of pests on your okra plants.
Best Companion Plants for Okra
1.Cosmos
Cosmos flowers help to attract bees, pollinators and other beneficial insects to your garden. Beneficial insects help to control pests like mealy bugs and whiteflies on your okra plant.
2. Basil
The strong scent of basil can help to deter pests and many insects away from your okra. Okra can also provide the shade that is needed for basil to grow.
Here is how to grow basil from seeds in containers.
3. Cucumber
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Cucumbers and okra require similar growing conditions. Cucumbers also act as a ground cover and help shade the soil.
4. Melons
Just like cucumbers, melons can provide shade for the soil and the leaves shed by melons can serve as a mulch for okra.
5. Oregano
Oregano is a strong-scented herb that grows best in the summer season. Growing it near to your okra can help to repel various pests. Here is how to grow and care for oregano.
6. Radish
Radish is one of the fastest-growing vegetables and can be harvested sooner before your okra flowers. Radish roots can also help to break the soil and help okras to grow. It can also repel certain pests from harming your okra. Here is how you can grow radish from seeds in containers.
7. Zinnias
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Zinnias can help to repel whiteflies away and these flowers can also help to attract many pollinators and beneficial insects. Both zinnia and okra grow best during the summer season and require similar soil conditions. Here is how you can grow Zinnia from seeds in containers.
8. Hot peppers
Growing hot peppers near your okra can help to get rid of cabbage worms and spider mites.
9. Beans and peas
Beans and peas help to fix nitrogen in the soil increasing soil fertility. They also help to shade the soil from sunlight. An increase in soil fertility can help okra to grow, bean and pea plants can also use okra as a trellis to climb.