Who doesn’t enjoy eating grapes every now and then, right? If you’re an avid lover of grapes, you could consider growing them in your own garden. Just imagine craving grapes in the middle of a sunny day and being able to walk over to your garden and gather fresh produce for yourself.
Whether you wish to grow them for the purpose of making homemade jams and jellies or to make your own wine someday, there are plenty of benefits of having your personal grapevine.
The good news is that there are numerous plants that can serve as the perfect companion plants for grapes. The art of companion planting allows different plants to grow close to one another in a way such that it benefits them both or at least benefits one of them.
If you’re wondering about the ideal grapes companion plants, we will be providing you with all the information you need to plan your garden in an efficient way.
Why Do Grapes Need Companion Plants?
If you’re an experienced gardener, you’re probably aware of the fact that it’s quite difficult to grow grapevines.
They are susceptible to various diseases and pests and require water and sunlight in the right quantity to grow properly. However, when planted next to a companion plant, their growth can be quite healthy.
The following are some of the reasons why grapes can benefit from companion plants:
1. Aids with Pollination
Grapevines need companion plants in order to get pollinated by insects. They serve as a source of pollen for pollinating insects such as bees while also playing the role of a place where the insects can gather nectar and rest. Through the right mix of companion plants, you can ensure that you receive a bountiful harvest.
2. Keeps Pests Away
Since grapevines can often attract pests and diseases, gardeners prefer to grow them alongside companion plants so as to keep the predators away as much as possible.
3. Adds Necessary Nutrients
The productivity and health of grapevines can be improved through companion plants, which aid in adding the necessary nutrients to the soil. They supply ample food and shelter for insects that are beneficial and also provide shade to the grapes.
12 Best Grapes Companion Plants
Listed below are the best companion plants for grapes:
1. Rosemary
In addition to being a delicious preservative, rosemary is a great companion plant with regard to grapes. The best bit is that growing rosemary doesn’t require a lot of effort or conditions. Its nectar is attractive to ladybugs and bees, and its scent helps in shooing away pests.
2. Lavender
Lavender plants really do look extremely pretty, and their scent is unmistakable and unforgettable. However, there is so much more to them than just their pretty exterior. They aid in keeping aphids and mites at bay, attract pollinators, and their antifungal qualities help other plants as well.
3. Chamomile
The benefits of chamomile tea are many, and it tastes even better when the chamomile tea you’re having comes from the plant in your own garden and not from something that’s store-bought.
Through its antifungal abilities, it can be a worthy companion to your grapevine and can also bring in more benefits by allowing its scent to drive away pests like aphids and spider mites.
4. Chives
Chives don’t require a lot of resources to thrive, which is why they make a fantastic companion plant for grapes, as the two won’t be engaged in any form of competition. The main reason why chives are a valuable addition to a grapevine is because they help in driving away pests.
5. Asparagus
Asparagus doesn’t require much to thrive and is also satisfied with being planted anywhere, making it a good buddy for grapes. It prevents soil erosion and has a compound that keeps fungus at bay for the neighboring plants.
6. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are useful in saving your grapes from flies, beetles, aphids, and other pests. The bonus point is that the colorful flowers that bloom during springtime will look immensely aesthetic in your garden.
7. Marigolds
Marigolds look beautiful in any ambiance, and when they are planted with grapes, they help in driving away the whiteflies and aphids with their scent. Their fragrance also attracts ladybugs and lacewings who eat up the harmful insects, which in turn protects the grapes.
8. Mint
For the ones who want their gardens to be filled with a distinct, sweet, and sharp scent, growing mint along with grapes is a fabulous idea.
While the fragrance of mint is pleasant for most human beings, it can be intolerable for most pests, which works well to keep the beetles, caterpillars, and other insects away from the grapevine.
9. Beans
Beans help in boosting the overall drainage of the soil and also amplify the level of nitrogen. Hence, it prevents you from overwatering your grapes accidentally. Since they grow up to be tall plants, they also provide shade to the grapes.
10. Basil
There are quite a few reasons why basil is a worthy companion plant for grapes. It provides the necessary amount of shade to a grapevine on hot days without going overboard.
It also keeps pests such as whiteflies away, and the fragrance it emanates helps in concealing the scent of a grapevine from animals who could otherwise nibble on the plant.
11. Blackberries
The growth requirements of grapes and blackberries are quite similar, but if they are properly spaced out, they can grow really well together. Grapevines are quite vulnerable to leaf-hopper bugs, and the wasps that blackberries attract take care of the bugs issue and protect your grapes.
12. Oregano
Peppering your Italian food with some oregano really does add to its taste, does it not? So, why not grow it alongside your grapes? The strong scent of oregano helps in concealing the scent of grapevines from hungry animals. It also adds nitrogen to the soil, which is ultimately beneficial for the grapes.
4 Worst Companion Plants for Grapes
When making a list of the companion plants for grapes, here are the ones you should absolutely stay away from:
1. Cabbage
Cabbage requires the presence of many nutrients coupled with rich soil to grow well, whereas grapes can grow in relatively poorer soil conditions. This means that if grapes and cabbage are planted together, it causes the grapes to struggle for food. They also end up arguing over space as grapes grow best in early summer or late spring, while cabbage is a crop that requires a moist and cool climate.
2. Garlic
Garlic emanates a chemical that is harmful to grapevines. Additionally, the two plants end up competing for similar nutrients in the soil.
3. Radishes
Radishes and grapes fight for the same nutrients if planted together and, hence, should be kept away from one another.
4. Black Walnuts
Black walnut trees and grapes need the same resources to grow, which is why they fight over them if planted close together. There is also a substance that these trees contain that could be detrimental to your grapevine.
What are the Growing Requirements for Grapes?
The growing requirements for grapes to know about are as follows:
1. Light
No matter which region grapes are growing in, they require complete sunlight throughout the day to thrive. In order to ripen properly, ample sunlight is required by grapevines. Therefore, make sure that the foliage doesn’t block any incoming sunlight.
2. Water and Soil
An inch of water is needed on a weekly basis by grapes for the first two years. Hence, the plants will have to be watered well if the water supply doesn’t come through rainfall. Well-draining and deep soil that is free of grass and weeds is the requirement for grapes.
3. Humidity and Temperature
The temperature in which grapes grow well ranges from 77ºF to 90ºF, which is between 25ºC to 32ºC. Anything below 77ºF could hinder its growth. Grapes prefer moderate humidity as low or extremely high humidity levels could affect their growth and production negatively.
4. Fertilizer
Make use of nitrogen fertilizer during early spring for the first two to three years with your grapevines. Once the vines appear healthy, they won’t require any fertilizer.
5. Pruning
Since grapevines are climbers, they require pruning on a regular basis to grow well. If not pruned regularly, they could be deprived of the necessary nutrients.
Grass Diseases and Pests
Grapes are quite susceptible to powdery mildew, downy mildew, black rot, grey mold, anthracnose, flea beetles, and wasps. Get a solution of neem oil to be sprayed over the grapevines to keep the pests away. You can also cover the grapevine with a mesh netting if you find pests eating away your grapes.
Conclusion
As someone who loves to garden, it can often be tricky to remember which plants go well with each other. If you’re planning to grow grapes, it’s best to know about their fellow companion plants so that the harvest can be richer.
So, if you’re trying to jot down the plants that are good to be grown with grapes and the ones that are not, just refer to the list above and manage your garden accordingly.