Garden Helpers for your Budding Marijuana Crop

For those lucky enough to have snagged some seeds before lockdown, you have the amazing opportunity to plan and start your cannabis garden while you’re social distancing. For those that haven’t grown their own cannabis plants, it’s difficult to describe the pride that comes after growing, harvesting and smoking your first crop. But your garden doesn’t need to be just cannabis. With companion planting, you can bolster the growth of your marijuana while also deterring pests in a natural way.

We’ve compiled a list of the best companion plants for your cannabis, while still growing useful vegetables, herbs and flowers that can be used in your everyday life. Get planting!

Chamomile: Bolsters Essential Oil Production

This fragrant flower creates a soft carpet under your other plants and bolsters essential oil production which can aid in the terpene production of your cannabis. Chamomile also accumulates calcium, magnesium and sulfur, releasing these valuable nutrients back into the soil when it dies. In addition to benefiting the soil, chamomile defends against whiteflies and other pests which can damage your cannabis plants.

Basil: Promotes Terpene Growth

Like chamomile, basil promotes the growth of terpenes in your marijuana as well as deterring harmful pests like aphids, mosquitos and asparagus beetles. These pests will eat and damage everything from leaves to stalks to buds.

Lemon Balm: Repels Mosquitos

Lemon balm is so fragrant that it can distract from the skunky smell of cannabis that might draw unwanted attention from nosy neighbors. This fragrant herb also repels mosquitos and gnats. Make sure to pick the lemon balm frequently, or it will quickly take over your garden. At least it will make an excellent addition to homemade soups or even cookies.

Sunflowers: A Natural Aerator

In addition to being beautiful and vibrant, these fibrous flowers provide a distraction for harmful pests. Because of their height, sunflowers can also hide your plants if you’re growing incognito. Their roots help with soil filtration, creating better aeration for surrounding plants and vegetables. Just make sure your cannabis plants get the light they need even with their lengthy companions.

Beans: Natural Plant Food

Beans pull nitrogen from the air and make it available in the soil. Cannabis needs abundant nitrogen for optimum growth, so companion planting with beans is a natural way to feed your plants without adding expensive nutrients to get the heavy, dense buds you want.

Chrysanthemum: An Organic Pesticide

These flowers provide an organic pesticide and keep pests such as nematodes from damaging root structures. Chrysanthemum flowers contain a chemical called pyrethrin, a natural ingredient found in many pest control products. Pyrethrin causes a disruption in the insect’s nervous system, making these colorful flowers as beneficial as they are attractive.

Garlic: A Natural Pest Deterrent 

Garlic is another organic pesticide, and you’ll be able to use it in your daily cooking. Because the plant is so fragrant, it provides a natural deterrent and keeps pests from damaging your cannabis plants.

These are just a few ideas for creating a well-rounded cannabis garden. Feel the sunshine on your face and the earth beneath your fingers. Dig in and plant some happiness during your quarantine time!