As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This page may contain affiliate links.
An old farmer’s almanac companion planting guide can save you a lot of trial and error in the vegetable garden. Companion planting is the practice of grouping crops so they support each other, whether by deterring pests, attracting pollinators, sharing space efficiently or improving soil conditions. Many gardeners first encounter these pairings in the Old Farmer’s Almanac, which has published companion charts and planting advice for generations. The trouble is that not every guide, chart or almanac-style resource presents the information the same way, and some are better suited to a backyard bed than a sprawling market plot. This list compares seven resources and tools that help you apply companion planting, judged on how clear the pairings are, how much practical detail they include, whether they cover planting timing and spacing, how easy they are to use at the bed, and how well they explain the reasoning behind each combination so you can adapt it to your own garden.
Our Top Picks
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best for | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Old Farmer’s Almanac Companion Planting Chart | Beginners wanting a quick reference | Printable pairing grid by crop |
| Old Farmer’s Almanac Garden Planner | Planning a full season on paper | Month-by-month sowing calendar |
| Old Farmer’s Almanac Gardener’s Guide Book | Gardeners who want background on why pairings work | Crop-by-crop companion notes |
| Companion Planting Reference Card | Keeping at the potting bench or shed | Compact one-page summary |
| Raised Bed Layout Planner Journal | Small-space and raised bed gardeners | Grid layouts for bed mapping |
| Seed Starting and Succession Calendar | Gardeners staggering plantings | Week-by-week sowing dates |
| Companion Planting Field Notebook | Recording results season to season | Space for observations and yields |
Old Farmer’s Almanac Companion Planting Chart
This is the most direct starting point for anyone new to pairing vegetables. It suits beginners who want to check whether tomatoes, basil, carrots or beans should share a bed without reading a long book first. Owners often report that the grid format is easy to pin up in a shed or on a garden fence.
Key specs
- Format: printed chart, intended for quick reference
- Covers common home garden vegetables and herbs
- Shows beneficial and antagonistic pairings in a grid
Pros
- Fast to scan when planning a bed
- Clear separation of helpful and harmful pairings
- Low learning curve for new gardeners
Cons
- Limited explanation of the reasons behind each pairing
- Does not account for climate, soil or spacing differences by region
Old Farmer’s Almanac Garden Planner
Best for gardeners who like to map out the whole season before the first seed goes in. It works well alongside companion charts because it turns pairings into a concrete schedule of sowing and transplant dates. It is a good fit for those who want to combine companion ideas with frost-date planning.
Key specs
- Format: planning journal with monthly and weekly spreads
- Includes space for bed layouts and crop rotation notes
- Designed for a single growing season
Pros
- Ties companion ideas to timing and succession
- Useful for recording what went where each year
- Works offline and needs no app or account
Cons
- Requires consistent use to get the most value
- Less useful if you want a detailed pest-by-pest reference
Old Farmer’s Almanac Gardener’s Guide Book
This suits readers who want more than a chart and would like to understand how companion relationships work, such as shading, pest confusion or root zone differences. It is a better pick for gardeners planning long-term changes to their soil and beds than for someone who needs a single quick answer.
Key specs
- Format: book with crop-by-crop sections
- Covers soil preparation, planting and harvest timing
- Companion notes appear alongside each vegetable profile
Pros
- Explains the reasoning behind many pairings
- Covers the wider garden, not just companions
- Useful reference to return to across seasons
Cons
- Longer than most gardeners need for a single planting decision
- Some regional details may not match every climate
Companion Planting Reference Card
A compact card is handy for gardeners who want a pairing reminder at the potting bench or inside a tool shed. It suits people who already understand the basics and only need to check a few combinations during planting week.
Key specs
- Format: single-sheet or card-style reference
- Lists common vegetables and herbs with friend and foe pairings
- Portable and easy to store
Pros
- Very quick to consult
- Good for gardeners who work in several locations
- Low clutter for small sheds
Cons
- Little space for notes or explanation
- Can be easy to lose or damage outdoors
Raised Bed Layout Planner Journal
Raised bed and small-space gardeners often find that pairings matter more when every square foot counts. This type of journal lets you sketch bed grids and assign companions to specific squares. It suits people with a few 4-by-8-foot beds who want to test layouts on paper before planting.
Key specs
- Format: notebook with printed grid pages
- Grid sizes commonly match standard square-foot planting
- Space for crop notes and planting dates
Pros
- Makes square-foot companion layouts easy to visualize
- Helpful for rotating crops between beds
- Durable enough for repeated seasonal use
Cons
- Does not include pairing data, so you need a separate reference
- Grid pages may feel restrictive for in-ground rows
Seed Starting and Succession Calendar
Companion plantings only work if the companions are in the ground at the same time, and that is where a succession calendar helps. This type of wall calendar lists sowing windows for cool- and warm-season crops so you can pair early radishes with later tomatoes, or time basil to flower near beans. It is best for gardeners who sow in multiple rounds.
Key specs
- Format: wall or desk calendar with weekly sowing guidance
- Covers direct sow and transplant windows
- Organized by crop category
Pros
- Helps coordinate companion timing across the season
- Easy to glance at during the busy spring rush
- Good complement to a companion chart
Cons
- Sowing windows must be adjusted for your local frost dates
- Does not explain pairings, only timing
Companion Planting Field Notebook
Many experienced gardeners find that their own observations are the most reliable guide to what works in their soil and climate. A field notebook with prompts for pairings, pest sightings and yields helps you refine companion choices over several years. It is a good fit for gardeners who want to build a personal record rather than follow a fixed chart.
Key specs
- Format: spiral or bound notebook with prompted pages
- Includes space for bed maps, observations and harvest notes
- Designed for multi-season use
Pros
- Builds a record specific to your garden
- Encourages testing and comparison across years
- Pairs well with a published chart as a starting reference
Cons
- Results take several seasons to become meaningful
- Requires discipline to keep entries consistent
Buying Guide
Choosing among companion planting resources comes down to how you plan, how much detail you need and where you will use the material. Start with your garden size, your experience level and whether you want a quick answer or a deeper understanding. The guides in this list cover different parts of the same job, so many gardeners combine two of them.
Selection Criteria
- Clarity of pairings: Does the resource clearly separate helpful, neutral and harmful combinations?
- Timing support: Does it help you line up sowing and transplant dates so companions actually overlap?
- Explanation: Does it tell you why a pairing works, such as pest confusion, shade or pollinator attraction?
- Usability at the bed: Can you consult it quickly with dirt on your hands?
- Durability: Will it survive shed storage, humidity and repeated handling?
Important Features to Look For
Look for a resource that covers the vegetables and herbs you actually grow. A chart that focuses on field crops will not help much if your interest is in container tomatoes and culinary herbs. Check whether the pairings are grouped by crop or by pest, since the second approach is useful when a specific problem appears.
Regional adaptation matters too. Companion relationships are often sound in principle, but the timing, spacing and pest pressure can vary by climate. Use a general reference for ideas, then confirm sowing windows with your local extension office or frost date data.
Specs to Check Before Buying
- Format (chart, book, planner, journal or calendar)
- Crops covered and whether they match your garden
- Whether timing or spacing information is included
- Page or card size if you plan to post it near the garden
- Whether the resource is updated for current varieties and practices
Choosing by Need
- Quick answers at planting time: A printed chart or reference card.
- Full-season planning: A garden planner paired with a succession calendar.
- Learning the reasons behind pairings: A gardener’s guide book.
- Small beds and square-foot layouts: A raised bed layout planner.
- Long-term improvement: A field notebook to record what works in your own soil.
Things to Watch Out For
- Some companion claims are traditional rather than well documented. Treat them as ideas to test, not guarantees.
- Pairings that work in one garden can underperform in another because of soil, water, heat and pest pressure.
- Companion planting is not a substitute for crop rotation, healthy soil or regular monitoring for pests and disease.
- Check that a guide is current. Varieties, pest pressures and recommended spacing change over time.
FAQ
What is companion planting?
Companion planting means growing plants together so they benefit one another. Benefits can include pest deterrence, attracting pollinators, improved use of space, or providing shade or support. Results vary by garden, so it works best as one tool among good soil, watering and crop rotation practices.
Is the Old Farmer’s Almanac companion planting guide reliable?
The Old Farmer’s Almanac has long published companion charts and planting advice, and many gardeners use them as a starting point. Because some pairings are traditional, it helps to confirm the ideas with your own observations and with local extension resources before making major changes to your beds.
Which vegetables are commonly recommended as companions?
Classic examples include tomatoes with basil, carrots with onions, and beans with corn or squash in the traditional Three Sisters approach. Many gardeners also pair lettuce with taller crops that provide afternoon shade. Check a current chart for the full list and the reasons behind each pairing.
Do I need a printed guide, or is a website enough?
Either can work. A printed chart or planner is convenient at the bed and does not depend on a signal or battery. A website or app may offer more frequent updates. Many gardeners keep a printed reference and check online sources when they need more detail.
How do I test companion pairings in my own garden?
Plant a companion pair in one bed and a control pair elsewhere under similar conditions. Record germination dates, growth, pest sightings and yields in a notebook. Repeat over two or three seasons before drawing conclusions. Keep the variables as consistent as you can.
Can companion planting replace pesticides?
Companion planting can reduce some pest problems, but it rarely eliminates them. Regular inspection, hand removal, row covers and proper sanitation are usually more dependable. For serious pest or disease outbreaks, consult a local extension office or a professional gardener.
How does companion planting interact with crop rotation?
Companion planting decides what grows together in a season, while crop rotation decides what grows in a bed in future seasons. Both matter. Rotating plant families reduces soil-borne disease and pest buildup, so plan your companions and your rotation together for the best results.
Conclusion
An old farmer’s almanac companion planting guide is most useful when it matches the way you garden. A printed chart or reference card gives fast answers at planting time. A garden planner or succession calendar helps you line up companions across the season. A gardener’s guide book explains the reasoning, while a raised bed journal and a field notebook help you adapt pairings to your own beds. For most beginners, start with a chart and add a calendar. For experienced gardeners who want to improve results year after year, a field notebook is the most valuable long-term tool. Test new pairings carefully, keep good records, and pair companion ideas with sound soil care and crop rotation. For more background, see Vegetable Gardening Basics: Planting to Harvest and Preparing Garden Soil for Planting: A Practical Guide, or read How to Start a Garden: Site, Soil and First Plantings if you are building your first beds.
