When combining several different types of plants in one planter box, it's best to match plants that have a similar need for water and fertilizer. For example, rosemary, which likes hot and relatively dry conditions, would not be a good match with water-hungry cucumbers.

As a general rule, you don't want to grow vegetables from the same plant family in the same planter, because they'll compete with each other for the same nutrients and deplete your growing environment of nutrients quickly.

Then, to maximize space, you might want to combine a trailing plant with an upright plant.

Here are a few good plant combinations to try:

• Beans, squash, carrots

• Beans, eggplant

• Tomatoes, basil, onions

• Lettuce, herbs

• Spinach, chard, onion

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The Best Combinations! -

Those are our best plant combinations. Did you try something different that worked out? We'd love to add your favorite combos to the list!

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