Are Beans and Tomatoes Companion Plants?

Beans and tomatoes are classic companion plants that benefit each other when grown together As legumes, beans can help replenish nitrogen in the soil that tomatoes deplete Meanwhile, tomatoes can provide structural support for climbing beans. Growing them together leads to better harvests for both vegetables.

Why Beans and Tomatoes Grow Well Together

There are a few key reasons why beans and tomatoes make great companion plants

Beans Fix Nitrogen

Beans are legumes, along with peas, clover, and other plants in the Fabaceae family. Legumes form a symbiotic relationship with bacteria in the soil that allows them to convert nitrogen gas from the atmosphere into ammonium, a form of nitrogen that plants can readily absorb through their roots.

This process, called nitrogen fixation, benefits other plants growing nearby like tomatoes. Tomatoes are heavy nitrogen feeders, rapidly depleting nitrogen reserves in the soil. Interspersing bean plants among tomatoes helps ensure the soil retains adequate nitrogen levels.

Beans Don’t Compete for Resources

Beans and tomatoes occupy different niches in terms of their root structures and nutritional needs.

Tomato roots concentrate heavily in the top 12 inches of soil. Beans develop long taproots that mine deeper soil layers. So the two plants don’t compete for water or soil minerals.

Beans mostly need phosphorus and potassium. Tomatoes are more demanding, requiring calcium, magnesium, and iron in addition to phosphorus and potassium. Together, beans and tomatoes efficiently exploit the soil’s resources without competing.

Bean Trellises Support Tomatoes

Another win-win situation is that the vertical trellises and supports many gardeners provide for climbing beans can also be used by tomato plants. Tomatoes perform best when stems and leaves are kept off the ground, reducing disease risks. Beans end up helping support the sprawling tomato vines.

Different Harvest Windows

Beans and tomatoes also have slightly different growing seasons. Beans can be planted earlier in spring and produce their crops sooner than tomatoes. By mid-summer, the bean plants are winding down when tomato fruit is ripening.

Stretching out harvests with varied maturation times makes efficient use of garden space. The gardener has fresh produce over a longer window without the plants competing at their peak growth.

How to Grow Beans and Tomatoes Together

Growing beans and tomatoes together simply requires a bit of planning. Follow these tips for success:

• Choose companion varieties. Pole beans and smaller tomato cultivars work best. Good tomato choices include determinate, dwarf, bush, patio, and container varieties.

• Wait to plant. Don’t sow beans until after transplanting tomatoes or when tomato seedlings are established. Beans can withstand cooler soil temperatures than tomatoes.

• Alternate rows. Position bean rows in between tomato rows. Spacing rows 18-24 inches apart provides plenty of light and air circulation.

• Provide supports. Install trellises, fencing, or cages for tomatoes and beans to climb prior to planting.

• Weed diligently. Beans and tomatoes need consistent moisture, especially when fruits are swelling. Control weeds to reduce competition for water. Apply mulch after seeding and transplanting.

• Water regularly. Beans and tomatoes need consistent moisture through their growing cycle. Target about 1-2 inches of water per week.

• Fertilize lightly. Beans supply nitrogen, but tomatoes may need supplemental feeding with a balanced fertilizer or compost.

• Scout for pests. Beans and tomatoes have some shared pests like cutworms, beetles, and aphids. Control them early before they spread.

Best Bean Varieties for Companion Planting

Pole beans are ideal companions for tomatoes due to their vining growth habit. They readily climb the supports provided for tomatoes. Some top picks include:

• Kentucky Blue Pole: A prolific climber that produces tender green pods. Grows 6-10 feet.

• Scarlet Runner: Grows 10-12 feet tall. Produces bright red flowers attractive to pollinators along with large beans that can be eaten fresh or dried.

• Chinese Red Noodle: Distinctive 18-inch long pods. Climbs 5-6 feet.

• Rattlesnake: Prolific heirloom variety with purple streaked pods. Grows 6 feet.

Bush bean varieties can also be companion planted with tomatoes. Choose compact, upright varieties like:

• Provider: A high-yielding classic green bush bean. Grows 18 inches tall.

• Maxibel: Heavy yields of stringless, slender pods. Grows 24 inches tall.

• Dwarf Horticultural: Produces colorful creamy beans with red streaks used dried or fresh. Grows 18 inches.

No matter which bean varieties you select, they are sure to grow well with tomato plants and deliver bountiful harvests from the garden.

The Bottom Line

Beans and tomatoes form a classic pairing that enhances the growth of both when planted together. As nitrogen-fixing legumes, beans help replenish the soil so there are enough nutrients for heavy-feeding tomatoes. Meanwhile, tomatoes provide structural support for climbing bean vines. By occupying different soil niches and having different harvest times, beans and tomatoes avoid competing. With some simple planning, these two vegetables can grow in harmony and provide bountiful harvests.