This is a post on companion planting books for Kentucky, its part of a series on the subject. Read to my Kentucky Companion Planting Hub or my Basil Companion Planting Guide to get started in the series. Updated August 2026
Hey there, Bloom & Peck friends! I went a little out of order (raspberry fun will be the next post) 🌿🐔 It’s Erin, coming to you from my porch in rural Kentucky, where the hummingbirds are, apparently, as nosy as my chickens. I’m still healing from back surgery, so no dirt-digging for me just yet—but that doesn’t mean I can’t dream, plan, and share some garden wisdom with you! This week, I posted a little video on my Facebook page (@BloomAndPeck) to share two books and a sneak peek at companion planting with basil, and let me tell you, it turned into quite the happening. Between flipping through two awesome books, a surprise hummingbird visitor, and the perfection (even if it is in my own mind) of rural living,
Companion Planting in Kentucky
I’ve been obsessed with companion planting lately, with the realization that the Kentucky pest issue is huge. I feel like I could start a petting zoo! This brought me to research phase. Falling down the rabbit hole is something I readily do and it is a true fault of mine. It does come in handy sometimes. I found some really good info.
In my video, I flipped to the Companion planting with basil section in Good Neighbors: Companion Planting for Gardeners (from ThriftBooks)
I was dreaming of what I could plant with my tomatoes. Then—bam!—a hummingbird buzzed in like it wanted a cameo! I caught it on camera, and it was such a calm wink in time, a total “bloom” moment that reminded me why I love gardening in rural Kentucky. Here’s a still from that video—check out my feathered co-star!
When to Read Companion Planting Books
I started reading the books because I am in rural Kentucky and I had was new and recovering from surgery. Basically, that stuck feeling. I’m felt like I was healing too slowly, no gardening after surgery, but these companion planting resources kept my gardening spirit alive. Now I re read them in the winter and when I have a question about a specific pest that I have just discovered.
My Favorite Companion Planting in Kentucky Books
This is a nice beginner book. The beginning talks a lot about regular gardening and just a little bit on companion planting.
This one is so comprehensive. I love this book, I lost the cover on mine so I am putting a stock picture here. This is the one I am reading in the video. It does have a lot on regular gardening but so much valuable info on companion planting. The author even mentions if the specific companion plants have been scientifically tested. Pretty cool.
I don’t own this one but it is in my library wait list. This is touted as a great companion planting book so I can’t wait to get it.
Rodale’s Successful Organic Gardening: Companion Planting
By Susan McClure
I have this one on order will report back soon!
(I get my books from used bookstores, marketplace, Ebay and Thriftbooks – I am not an affiliate per say, but if you’d like to get a free book reward I can do that! Its called #ShareBookLove)
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Why Companion Planting Books in Kentucky?
I wanted a great start at a chemical-free garden. The tips inside are not all the things everyone just says on the internet. The older books are tested and have some research backing them. The tips inside are doable even if you want to do a bit of gardening after surgery, or just starting on your homesteading or organic gardening journey.
A Nod to Rural Kentucky
That hummingbird moment on my porch sums up rural Kentucky for me—peaceful, wild, and full of surprises. It’s the perfect place to heal and plan my garden, even if I’m stuck with a few raised beds, for now. Maybe I’ll (ie, my hepful adult son 🙂 ) companion plant extra basil to attract more of these little visitors!
Let’s Chat!
What’s your go-to companion planting pair, or have you had a surprise garden visitor like my hummingbird?
Share your favorite companion planting story with a picture and I will feature you across my social media platforms! @bloomandpeck or #bloomandpeck