Tomatoes & Beyond: Best Plants to Grow on a Trellis

When it comes to maximizing your garden's vertical space, few plants are as well-suited to trellising as tomatoes. With their vigorous growth and tendency to sprawl, tomatoes can quickly overtake a garden bed if left unsupported. By planting them on a trellis, you can encourage upward growth, improve air circulation, and make harvesting a breeze. But what should you plant alongside your tomatoes to create a thriving, productive garden? Let's explore some excellent companion plants that can be grown on a trellis with tomatoes.

First, consider the benefits of companion planting. By strategically placing different plants together, you can create a symbiotic relationship that enhances growth, deters pests, and improves overall garden health. Tomatoes, with their deep root systems and ability to grow tall, make an ideal centerpiece for a trellis-based companion planting scheme. Now, let's delve into some fantastic plants that can be grown alongside tomatoes on a trellis.

Vining Flowers

Vining flowers are an excellent choice for trellising with tomatoes, as they can climb and grow alongside them, adding beauty and functionality to your garden structure. These flowers also attract beneficial insects that help control pests and promote pollination.

Morning Glories

Morning glories (Ipomoea purpurea) are fast-growing, vigorous climbers that produce stunning, trumpet-shaped flowers in various colors. They bloom in the morning and close up in the afternoon, making them an attractive and functional addition to any trellis. Morning glories can help shade the ground, reducing weed growth and preventing soil erosion. Their roots also help stabilize the trellis, making it more secure.

To grow morning glories with tomatoes, plant their seeds directly in the ground at the base of the trellis after the last spring frost. As they grow, they'll naturally twine around the trellis and climb alongside your tomato plants. Morning glories are annuals, so you'll need to replant them each year.

Clematis

Clematis is a genus of woody vines that produce an array of beautiful flowers throughout the growing season. Many clematis varieties are suitable for trellising with tomatoes, as they have strong, woody stems and can grow up to 10 feet tall. Some popular clematis choices for companion planting include 'Jackmanii' (deep purple flowers), 'Nelly Moser' (rose-pink and white flowers), and 'Henryi' (small, white star-shaped flowers).

Plant clematis near the base of the trellis, providing them with adequate space to spread their roots. As they grow, they'll weave among the tomato plants, creating a lush, flowering screen. Keep in mind that clematis are deciduous, so they'll lose their leaves in the fall, allowing more sunlight to reach your tomato plants.

Herbs

Herbs are another excellent choice for trellising with tomatoes, as they can grow vertically and provide numerous benefits to your garden. Many herbs have strong scents that help deter pests and attract beneficial insects. Additionally, their shallow root systems won't compete with tomatoes for nutrients or water.

Basil

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a fragrant herb that grows well in full sun and well-draining soil. It's an excellent companion plant for tomatoes, as it helps repel pests like tomato hornworms and aphids. Basil also improves the flavor of tomatoes when grown nearby. Plant basil seeds or seedlings at the base of the trellis, and as they grow, they'll climb alongside your tomato plants.

To encourage bushier growth and more leaves, pinch back the growing tips of basil plants regularly. This will also help prevent them from becoming leggy and unruly. Harvest basil leaves throughout the growing season to use in cooking or to dry for later use.

Mint

Mint (Mentha spp.) is a hardy, aromatic herb that grows well in partial shade and moist soil. It's an excellent companion plant for tomatoes, as it helps deter pests like ants, flea beetles, and rodents. Mint also improves the flavor of tomatoes and encourages their growth. Plant mint near the base of the trellis, taking care not to overcrowd it, as mint can be invasive.

As mint grows, it will spread and climb the trellis alongside your tomato plants. Keep in mind that mint is a perennial, so it will return each year, requiring minimal effort on your part. Harvest mint leaves throughout the growing season to use in teas, cocktails, or as a flavoring in various dishes.

Greens and Leafy Vegetables

Greens and leafy vegetables are another excellent choice for trellising with tomatoes, as they can grow vertically and provide shade for the soil, reducing weed growth and preventing soil erosion. Many greens also have shallow root systems that won't compete with tomatoes for nutrients or water.

Lettuce

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a cool-season green that grows well in partial shade and well-draining soil. It's an excellent companion plant for tomatoes, as it helps deter pests like aphids and red spider mites. Lettuce also improves the flavor of tomatoes and encourages their growth. Plant lettuce seeds or seedlings at the base of the trellis, and as they grow, they'll climb alongside your tomato plants.

To encourage bushier growth and more leaves, thin lettuce plants as they grow, ensuring they have enough space to spread out. Harvest lettuce leaves throughout the growing season, using the cut-and-come-again method to encourage continuous growth.

Spinach

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a cool-season green that grows well in full sun and well-draining soil. It's an excellent companion plant for tomatoes, as it helps deter pests like aphids and whiteflies. Spinach also improves the flavor of tomatoes and encourages their growth. Plant spinach seeds directly in the ground at the base of the trellis after the last spring frost, and as they grow, they'll climb alongside your tomato plants.

Spinach is a fast-growing crop, so you can harvest leaves within a few weeks of planting. As spinach grows, it will provide shade for the soil, reducing weed growth and preventing soil erosion. Keep in mind that spinach is a cool-season crop, so it's best to plant it in early spring or late summer for a fall harvest.

By planting these companion plants alongside your tomatoes on a trellis, you can create a thriving, productive garden that's both beautiful and functional. As you tend to your plants throughout the growing season, you'll reap the benefits of their symbiotic relationship, enjoying an abundance of fresh produce and a gorgeous vertical garden. So go ahead, get creative, and have fun experimenting with different companion plants to find the perfect combination for your trellis-based garden.