Runner Up

Marigolds – while not edible, the presence of flowers in your garden not only attracts helpful bug. The roots of “French marigolds produce a pesticidal, so strong it lasts years after they are gone. Mexican marigolds do the same, but are so strong they will inhibit the growth of some more tender herbs.” Marigold are a helpful companion to Peppers and tomatoes and a variety of other plants.

3. Beans start off very easy from seeds and take off fast, just make sure you plant a lot! Beans produce nitrogen which can be helpful to many plants. One of the best things about beans is a really cool sub culture of people in this country that have worked very hard to preserve heirloom varieties. People typically things of Green beans, but there are beans that come in a variety of beautiful colors heirlooms.org

dragon tongue bean ( above)

2. Basil – Basil comes is many varieties and is a great friend in your garden the smell is known to deter some pests, and is a helpful companion to peppers tomatoes, oregano and many other herbs.

1. Nightshade family I really struggled with how to list eggplants , pepper, and tomatoes as they are all great, then I remembered they are all in the same family so why not have them tie for 1st

Tomatoes–Juicy Red tomatoes are the quintessential plant that everyone thinks of when they want to start a garden as they can grow in pots or even be hung upside-down from one of those infomercial things you can buy at CVS. Tomatoes come in hundreds of varieties and are one of the healthiest plants you can eat whfoods

Peppers- are exciting and fun to grow, they are great companions for eggplants and tomatoes as. Cayenne Peppers are one of my favorites as they have a lot of surprising health benefits as “its antioxidant activity make it useful in preventing the free radical damage that can lead to atherosclerosis, colon cancer, and diabetic complications, like nerve damage and heart disease, and are even believed to have some pain relieving abilities.” whfoods

Egg plants- I’ve found eggplants to be really hardy, they seem to start well as seeds, and they transplant fairly easy. We get a lot of late afternoon rains here ( Florida ) in the summer, egg plants really tolerate it well. They are also very accommodating neighbors to peppers and beans.

Wikipedia

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