So you're growing courgettes this year? Smart move. But let me tell you, those plants can be drama queens. One minute they're thriving, next they're covered in powdery mildew or drowning in aphids. I learned this the hard way when my entire crop got wiped out by squash bugs back in 2020. That's when I dove deep into courgette companion planting – honestly, it saved my gardening sanity.
Why Courgettes Absolutely Need Companion Plants
Courgettes are greedy feeders. Their huge leaves soak up sunlight and their roots hog nutrients. Without help? They'll either bully neighboring plants or get bullied by pests. I've seen both happen in my raised beds.
Companion planting courgette isn't just folklore. It works because:
- Certain plants repel pests that love courgettes (looking at you, cucumber beetles)
- Others attract beneficial insects like ladybugs that eat aphids
- Some improve soil nutrients courgettes crave
- A few even create shade for delicate roots
My neighbor still plants courgettes in boring rows. Every July? Powdery mildew city. Meanwhile, my companion-planted bed stays relatively trouble-free. Makes you wonder why everyone doesn't do this.
The Science Bit Made Simple
Courgettes belong to the cucurbit family. Like their zucchini cousins (same plant, different name really), they're vulnerable to:
| Common Problem | Companion Solution |
|---|---|
| Squash vine borers | Nasturtiums trap them |
| Powdery mildew | Improved air circulation from vertical plants |
| Poor pollination | Flowers that attract bees |
| Nutrient deficiency | Nitrogen-fixing neighbors |
Top 10 Companion Plants for Courgettes (Tested in My Garden)
After seven seasons of trial and error, these are my ride-or-die companions for courgette companion planting:
| Plant | Why It Works | My Planting Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Nasturtiums | Aphid magnet (saves your courgettes), deters squash bugs | Plant 2-3 around each courgette mound |
| Beans & Peas | Fix nitrogen in soil - courgettes are heavy feeders! | Bush beans better than pole (less shading) |
| Borage | Attracts pollinators + deters tomato hornworms | Self-seeds like crazy - control it! |
| Corn | Tall stems support courgette leaves off damp soil | Plant north side to avoid shading |
| Radishes | Repels cucumber beetles and squash borers | Sow directly around seedlings |
| Marigolds | Nematode control in soil (French marigolds best) | Border the whole bed, not just near plants |
| Dill | Lures predatory wasps that eat pests | Don't let it flower too early |
| Mint | Strong scent confuses pests | CONTAIN IT or it'll take over (trust me) |
| Garlic/Chives | General pest repellent, especially aphids | Plant at bed edges - not too close |
| Oregano | Ground cover reduces weeds + attracts bees | Greek variety works best in UK climate |
Personal confession: I used to hate borage. Those hairy leaves! But when I saw how bees flocked to my courgette flowers after planting it? Game changer. Just wear gloves when handling.
Plants That Will Sabotage Your Courgettes
Some plants are straight-up frenemies. Here's what to avoid in companion planting with courgettes:
Disaster Zone Neighbors
| Plant | Why It's Bad News |
|---|---|
| Potatoes | Both heavy feeders - they'll starve each other |
| Fennel | Secretes growth inhibitors (allelopathy) |
| Pumpkins/Squash | Cross-pollination creates weird hybrids |
| Cucumbers | Shares all the same pests and diseases |
I learned about potatoes the hard way. Planted them too close one year and got pathetic courgettes AND measly spuds. Total fail.
My Step-by-Step Courgette Companion Planting Method
Here's exactly how I set up my courgette patch each May:
- Step 1: Build mounds 30cm high, 60cm diameter (space 1m apart)
- Step 2: Plant 2 courgette seedlings per mound (remove weaker one later)
- Step 3: Circle mound with radish seeds (they'll sprout fast)
- Step 4: Add 3-4 nasturtium seeds around mound perimeter
- Step 5: Plant beans (bush type) on east/west sides - 15cm away
- Step 6: Edge bed with marigolds and garlic
This creates layers: radishes protect seedlings, nasturtiums become pest traps, beans feed soil, marigolds guard roots. Works like armor.
Why This Layout Rocks
Courgettes sprawl. By planting vertically with companions, you:
- Maximize small spaces (my urban garden proof!)
- Create microclimates that reduce watering
- Get continuous harvests (radishes first, then beans, then courgettes)
Pro Tip: Interplant quick-growers like lettuce between mounds early season. They'll be harvested before courgettes need space.
Solving Common Courgette Problems with Companions
Companion planting courgette fixes real headaches:
Pest Control Without Chemicals
- Aphid Invasion? Add nasturtiums ASAP - they're sacrificial plants
- Squash Vine Borers? Plant radishes as trap crop (they prefer radish foliage)
- Powdery Mildew? Improve air flow with corn or beans on trellises
Last summer, my neighbor sprayed chemicals weekly. My nasturtiums got covered in aphids while my courgettes stayed clean. Felt smug.
Boosting Pollination Naturally
Ever get deformed courgettes? That's poor pollination. Solution:
- Borage brings bees from miles away
- Dill and oregano attract hoverflies
- Marigolds pull in tiny beneficial wasps
Since adding these, I get perfectly formed courgettes every time. No more embarrassing nubby ones!
Monthly Companion Planting Courgette Calendar
| Month | Companion Tasks | Courgette Stage |
|---|---|---|
| April | Sow radish, nasturtium seeds indoors | Seed starting |
| May | Plant out seedlings with radish/nasturtium circle | Transplanting |
| June | Add bean plants + edge with marigolds | Rapid growth |
| July | Harvest radishes; sow more for succession | First fruits |
| August | Trim nasturtiums if overcrowding | Peak harvest |
| Sept | Pull spent beans; add garlic cloves for next year | Production slows |
Companion Planting Courgette FAQs (Real Questions From My Garden Club)
Can I companion plant in containers?
Absolutely! My balcony setup: 60cm pot with 1 courgette, 2 nasturtiums trailing over edge, radishes around stem. Works if you water daily.
What about companion planting for zucchini?
Zucchini and courgettes are literally the same plant! Use identical companion planting techniques.
Do marigolds really deter pests?
French marigolds (Tagetes patula) absolutely do. African marigolds? Pretty but useless for pest control. Learned this through wasted money.
How close should companion plants be?
Critical! Nasturtiums 15cm from stem, beans 30cm, marigolds at bed edges. Too close = competition.
Can I plant tomatoes with courgettes?
Not ideal. Both prone to blight and need different nutrients. If you must, separate by beans.
Warning: Never compost diseased courgette leaves! Burn or bin them to prevent spreading fungi.
Why My Courgette Yields Doubled After Companion Planting
Before companions: max 15 courgettes per plant, constant pest battles. After: 25-30 fruits minimum, minimal spraying. The difference boils down to:
- Healthier soil: Beans fix nitrogen courgettes devour
- Fewer pests: Nasturtiums sacrifice themselves heroically
- Better pollination: Borage brings the bee party
- Microclimate: Radish cover keeps roots moist
It's like creating a plant ecosystem where everything supports the courgettes. Still blows my mind.
Advanced Courgette Companion Planting Tricks
Once you've nailed basics, try these pro moves:
The "Three Sisters" Upgrade
Traditional Native American method is corn + beans + squash. I modify it:
- Corn supports courgette leaves off ground
- Beans fix nitrogen but use bush types
- Add radishes as fourth sister for pest control
Succession Planting Partners
As space opens up:
- After radish harvest: plant scallions
- When beans finish: sow spinach
- Post-frost: garlic takes over pest duty
Trap Cropping Strategy
Plant nasturtiums 2 weeks BEFORE courgettes. Pests flock to them first. Then you:
- Spray nasturtiums with soapy water (not courgettes!)
- Sacrifice some nasturtium leaves
- Protect main crop organically
Final Reality Check
Look, companion planting courgette won't solve everything. That year of torrential rain? Still got mildew. But it stacks odds in your favor. Start small – just add nasturtiums this season. See the difference.
What surprised me most? The garden feels alive. Bees buzzing, ladybirds patrolling leaves, fewer holes in produce. Feels less like battling nature, more like teamwork. And honestly? That's why I garden.