Choose plants that complement corn.
Corn can serve as a natural structure for other plants to climb.
Ensure cucumbers have consistent moisture and well-draining soil to thrive alongside corn," she adds.
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Lettuce
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Lettuce doesn’t need much space to grow.
Tall corn stalks provide shade for lettuce.
Corn serves as a natural trellis for pole beans to climb, reducing some garden work.
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Pole beans also provide nutrients to the soil.
Plant a row of spinach where the corn will provide afternoon shade, adds Turner.
Corn has deep roots while spinach has shallow roots so they’re not competing for the same underground space.
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Corn and spinach don’t compete for nutrients, says Thurmon.
Winter Squash
Winter squash and corn are part of the Three Sisters planting method.
Winter squash, such as acorn or Hubbard varieties of pumpkins, produces big leaves that cover the soil.
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“The large leaves of the squash shade the soil and prevent weeds from establishing,” says Turner.
Thurmon says she plants the traditional Three Sisters method yearly and it works well.
Borage
Borage is a herb that produces tiny blue flowers that taste like cucumber and edible leaves.
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“Beneficial insects keep pest insect populations in check,” says Turner.
“Parasitoid wasps, lacewings, and hoverflies enjoy visiting for their nectar.”
Using other plants to minimize unwanted insects is a natural way for pest control.
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you’re free to reduce the need for chemical interventions, says Thomas.
Birds will also feast on sunflower seeds at the end of the season.
Birds provide some insect control, too, adds Turner.
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And another advantage of planting them together is that sunflowers have big roots.
Sunflowers have deep, strong roots that can help break up compacted soil, says Thomas.
Planting several varieties of corn together isn’t recommended.
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Avoid planting distinct types of corn together.
Tomatoes
Corn grown alongside tomatoes isn’t a good combination because caterpillars love them.
Growing them near each other can create a feast for caterpillars.
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Infestations can be difficult to treat, says Thomas.
