Digging Deeper

Companion planting is a gardening practice where different plants are grown close together to benefit each other in various ways, such as pest control, pollination, providing habitat for beneficial insects, maximizing use of space, and improving plant health and yield. 

There are plants that can improve soil nutrients for their neighbours. Other plants can help reduce the incidence of disease by providing a healthier growing environment.

Let’s take a look at some Plant Pairings and Their Benefits 

First up - tomatoes.  Basil with its strong odour basil repels flies and mosquitoes, and improves growth and flavour. We can also use carrots because they help aerate the soil, and give tomatoes some shade. Marigolds repel nematodes and other pests so also a good choice. And finally,  garlic because it helps repel spider mites and deter fungal diseases.

If you are growing carrots then these guys can help: peas fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting carrots. Onions repel carrot flies as does rosemary and sage.

Beans benefit from having corn nearby,  so that the beans use the corn as a support for climbing. Beans and cucumbers support each other’s growth. And marigolds repel bean beetles. Cucumbers love having a crop of radishes because they help repel cucumber beetles, whereas dill attracts the  beneficial insects that control pests. To aid supporting the plant's climbing habit sunflowers provide natural climbing supports

Nasturtiums can repel squash bugs and beetles keeping your pumpkins, butternuts and zucchini plants happy. Corn can provide additional shade for squash, and squash itself suppresses weeds.

Basil is also good for peppers and improves the flavour and growth and onions are great at repelling aphids and beetles.

We can employ some herbs. We have already mentioned how basil is great with tomatoes and also peppers. Oregano provides ground cover to keep soil moist and deter pests.

Use Chives in the same way as onions or garlic in the veg garden but they are useful planted near roses that help growth and reduce black spot disease

Dill alongside cabbages repel cabbage worms, improves the growth of lettuce plants and attracts beneficial insects to cucumbers.

Rosemary alongside beans repel bean beetles and next to cabbage reduces cabbage moths

Flowers too play their part, with marigolds able to repel nematodes on tomatoes, deter bean beetles and repel aphids on roses

I love Nasturtiums and they too are great at repelling aphids from tomatoes, protecting beans and also cabbage moths from brassicas 

Sunflowers we have already mentioned help cucumbers, but can also attract pollinators to corn and help with shade to improve moisture retention and help our squashes

But there are some pairings to avoid and here’s some examples.

For tomatoes it is not a good idea to have any of the cabbage family nearby, cabbages, broccoli, kohl rabi etc because they compete for nutrients and can stunt growth.

Corn can attract similar pests (e.g., corn earworm, tomato fruitworm), and potatoes Increase risk of potato blight and other diseases.

For carrots dill can stunt carrot growth if planted too close. And parsnips attract similar pests, increasing risk of infestations.

If Potatoes are near cucumbers there will be competition for nutrients and space, with both susceptible to similar diseases. Sage Can also stunt the growth of cucumbers.

Peppers will also compete for nutrients if brassicas are planted too close, leading to lower yields for each, and again, fennel will reduce the growth of peppers

Avoid Potatoes near squash plants to stop them  competing for nutrients, increasing the risk of disease and again, avoid fennel

Tips for Successful Companion Planting

1. Plan Your Garden Layout: Before planting, create a garden plan that takes companion planting into account.

2. Consider Plant Needs: Ensure that companion plants have similar light, water, and soil requirements.

3. Rotate Crops: Rotate your crops annually to reduce the buildup of pests and diseases in the soil.

4. Diversity: Plant a variety of species to promote a healthy ecosystem and reduce the risk of large pest outbreaks.

5. Monitor Plant Health: Regularly check plants for signs of distress, pests, or diseases, and adjust plant pairings if needed.

By following these guidelines and understanding the interactions between different plants, we can create a more productive and resilient garden.