Your Green Onions Will Thrive Alongside This Flowering Companion Plant
Green onions, also known as scallions, are a great plant for your vegetable garden. Not only are they easy to grow, but they are so versatile when cooking. Their mild onion flavor adds depth to many meals, from salads and soups to stir-fries and main courses. Like all plants, these annuals face their fair share of challenges, including pesky insects and weeds. That's one reason why marigolds make a wonderful companion plant for green onions.
Generally speaking, growing green onions isn't too difficult, and you get a regular reward in the form of tall green stalks. Whether you sow seeds outdoors in spring after the last frost or regrow them from store-bought scraps by placing the root end in water, the process is simple. Both methods require well-draining soil or water, at least 6-8 hours daily of full sun, and consistent water. Harvest the green shoots when they reach your desired size by cutting just above the base, and the plant will continue to offer you new growth.
Marigolds naturally repel harmful insects
Marigolds are beautiful plants and can naturally liven up any garden. They have vibrant yellow and orange blooms that stand out among the greenery, but beyond beauty, there are many benefits of planting marigolds in your garden. One of them is that they have a secret power, of sorts, that lies beneath the surface. The flowers contain a natural compound called thiophene. This compound acts as a bug repellent, making marigolds unfavorable to a variety of common garden pests, including aphids and nematodes.
Aphids are tiny, sap-sucking insects that can weaken your green onions by draining their nutrients. They multiply incredibly quickly and can kill your plants. One of the worst garden pillagers are nematodes, which are microscopic, worm-like creatures that live in the soil and can damage the roots of your green onions. Studies have shown that marigolds can help reduce nematode populations in the soil, protecting your onions from these unseen threats. As marigolds help deter them, this can keep your onions healthy and thriving.
How marigolds help gardens thrive
Marigolds offer more than just pest-repelling properties. Their bright blooms attract an array of beneficial insects, including bees and butterflies, so they are one of the best plants for a pollinator garden. Bees are essential pollinators and play a crucial role in the reproduction of many plants, including green onions. By attracting bees, marigolds can indirectly improve the pollination of your onions. That not only keeps them healthy, but can also potentially leading to higher yields.
In addition, by pairing marigolds alongside green onions, you can create a more balanced ecosystem in your garden, which not only benefits the scallions but can benefit all of your plants and vegetables. Certain butterflies, such as the harvester butterfly, can help control populations of harmful insects like aphids by feeding on them.
Timing is crucial when planting marigolds. Sow the seeds directly outdoors, typically in late spring or early summer. Plant marigolds around the perimeter of your green onion patch or in rows between the onion plants. Choose a spot that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily to promote optimal growth for both marigolds and green onions. Then water regularly, especially during their initial establishment phase.