Companion Planting

Companion planting is a time-honoured gardening practice that involves strategically placing plants together to enhance their growth, deter pests, and promote overall garden health. In this blog post, we will explore the fascinating world of companion planting and provide you with practical examples to inspire your own garden design.

 

What is Companion Planting?

Companion planting is the intentional arrangement of plants that benefit one another when grown in close proximity. Certain plants have natural affinities or mutually beneficial relationships that can improve soil health, enhance pollination, repel pests, and even boost flavour.

 

Examples of Companion Planting:

Three Sisters: The classic practice of planting corn, beans, and squash together. The tall corn provides support for the climbing beans, which, in turn, fix nitrogen in the soil for the benefit of the corn and squash. The broad squash leaves create a living mulch, suppressing weeds and conserving soil moisture.

Marigolds and Tomatoes: Planting marigolds near tomato plants can repel harmful nematodes and discourage pests like aphids and whiteflies. The marigolds’ strong scent acts as a natural deterrent, protecting your tomato crop.

Basil and Tomatoes: Basil has been known to improve the growth and flavour of tomatoes when grown nearby. It can repel pests such as mosquitoes, flies, and tomato hornworms, making it a perfect companion plant for tomatoes.

Carrots and Onions: Planting carrots and onions together can help deter carrot fly and onion maggots. The strong scent of onions confuses and repels the pests, reducing the risk of damage to the carrots.

Nasturtiums and Cucumbers: Nasturtiums are excellent companions for cucumbers. They attract aphids away from the cucumber plants, acting as a sacrificial trap crop. Plus, their vibrant flowers add beauty to the garden.

Rosemary and Cabbage: Planting rosemary near cabbage can help deter cabbage moths and other pests. The strong scent of rosemary acts as a natural repellent, keeping these destructive insects at bay and protecting your cabbage crop.

Sunflowers and Melons: Tall sunflowers can provide shade and wind protection for melon plants, while the melon vines can benefit from the support of the sturdy sunflower stalks. This companion planting combination maximises space and creates a beneficial microclimate for both plants.

Mint and Brassicas: Mint has a strong scent that can deter pests like cabbage worms and aphids from brassica crops such as cabbage, broccoli, and kale. Planting mint near these plants can help repel these pests and protect the brassicas from damage.

Radishes and Spinach: Planting radishes among spinach can help deter leafminers, a common pest that affects spinach leaves. The strong aroma of radishes confuses and repels the leafminers, reducing their impact on your spinach crop.

Chamomile and Apples: Chamomile attracts beneficial insects that help control pests like apple aphids and codling moths. Planting chamomile near apple trees can provide a natural defence against these common apple pests.

 

Complementary Plant Relationships:

Nitrogen Fixers: Certain plants, like legumes (beans, peas), have the ability to fix nitrogen from the air into the soil. This benefits neighbouring plants by providing a natural source of nitrogen, an essential nutrient for healthy growth.

Pollinator Attractors: Including flowering plants, such as lavender, sunflowers, or bee balm, in your garden can attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. These pollinators play a crucial role in fertilising flowers, ensuring successful fruit and seed production.

Trap Crops: Some plants act as decoys, attracting pests away from more valuable crops. For example, planting radishes near susceptible plants can divert flea beetles, protecting your main crop.

 

Companion planting is a holistic and friendly approach to gardening. By harnessing the power of beneficial plant relationships, you can promote garden health, reduce pest problems, and enhance overall productivity. Consider the examples provided and explore further companion planting combinations to create a thriving, harmonious garden that supports your plants and the ecosystem they inhabit. Experiment with different plant combinations, observe the results, and adjust your companion planting strategies as needed. Enjoy the beauty and abundance that arise from nurturing a garden ecosystem that thrives on interconnected relationships.