Companion Planting

Companion Planting is not something new; in fact it is a practise that has been occurring for many thousands of years. Long before the introduction of pesticides and chemicals, farmers and gardeners knew that growing plants in certain combinations was beneficial to all the plants. A lot of the information that is available about companion planting comes from garden traditions and folk lore and it is for that reason that man is currently starting to research these agricultural practises.

   When thinking of companion planting do not forget that dead plants are also beneficial in the garden in the form of compost and green manures, as they help to add organic matter an structure the soil, as well as adding essential nutrients. There are also several different relationships that can be looked at in regards to planting. Plants that contrast and compliment can all influence productivity.

   It is known that mono-cropping is more prone to pests and disease more than mixed planting. Intermixing the crops reduces the chance of one disease destroying the entire harvest.

   Growing herbs and vegetables together is a wonderful combination. Many herbs are fragrant and aromatic and these flowering plants help to repel certain pests. Their combination also provides colour, as well as a place to attract insects that prey on plant pests such as lacewings and hoverflies. Flowers can either be planted as a row amongst other, or they can be inter-planted throughout the garden. This makes for a very pleasant working environment. Plants like cabbages and dahlias grow very well together.

   It is possible to plant your herbs so they work to protect other herbs from environmental factors such as sun and winds. Hedges and trees make good barriers and windbreaks and they do not need to be made of just 1 type of plant. It is possible to make a hedge with a mixture of all kinds of shrubs. Holly, hawthorn, oak, honeysuckles, berries, crampbark and box all make good hedging. You could use ground cover herbs like ladies bedstraw or self-heal to act as mulch. This protects that herbs from water loss and stabilizes temperatures.

   Plants can also be used as edgings or barriers. If there is ‘wasted space’ around the edge of your garden, you could plant things like parsley, onions, radishes, garlic and even carrots. They all make attractive edging. Plants like onion and garlic are also very good repellent plants.  Barriers such as many of the Artesmia family are beneficial. Wormwoods, tansy, southern wood and rue plants all help to deter pest and even some animals. They are also good worming material for livestock.

   Where space can be quite limited, it can be worthwhile to take advantage of climbing plants and vegetables. Honeysuckle, hops, grapes, rosehips, passionflowers, beans, cucumbers and zucchini can all be considered.  These need to be trained and supported. You might like to consider growing one plant up another.

   Companion planting can also involve plant rotation. Creating different plots where plants are rotated, usually over a 12 month period.  A three year rotation plan is commonly used. This enables the plants to benefit from the previous crop and helps to keep pest and disease populations under control. A forth plot in the layout is for plants that do not like to be moved. A four year rotation plan allows the individual plots to have a greater rest period before the next crop is planted. It allows for a greater recovery time for the soil.

   Here is a list of some good and bad herb and vegetable plant companions. 

My shorthand key includes:

> = better than, is improved by

< = worse than, deters growth of

Apple Chives             < apple scab

Apple               Wormwood & Garlic     <codling moth

Apple trees      Tobacco         < aphids and thrips

Asparagus       Parsley             >asparagus growth

Bean                Marigolds                    < beetles

Bean                Petunia                                    <beetles

Beetroot          Onions, radish             >beet growth

Blackcurrants  Wormwood                 <rust

Broccoli           Dill or mint        >broccoli growth

Cabbage          Rosemary/sage <cabbage butterfly

Caraway          Peas, beans or carrot   >germination     

Carrots             Sage or onions             <carrot fly

Carrots              Parsley             < cabbage butterfly

Celery              Bush beans      > both growth

Chamomile      Cabbage and onions    < fleas, grow with peppermint to increase oils

Chives             Carrots                                    < apple scab

Coriander        Anise/spinach    >coriander growth

Corn                Bean or pea     > nitrogen to corn

Corn                Sunflower                   < armyworm

Eggplant          Amaranths                   < insects

Eggplant          Beans                          < beetles

Fruit Trees       Garlic, nasturtiums      < borers when planted in circle

Tansy                                       < pests of cucurbits

Grape              Clover             > soil fertility for grapes

Grape              Hyssop                  > vine crop

Kohl Rabi        Borage                         < pests

Leek                Celery or onions          > leek growth

Lettuce            Chervil                   <aphids, snails/mildew

Onion              Chamomile                  > flavour

Peach               Garlic              < chance of leaf curl

Peppermint      Cabbage          < cabbage white

Potatoes          Horseradish                 > potatoes

Potatoes          French lavender   < nematodes and white fly

Potatoes          Beans              < beetle damage

Pumpkins        Datura             > vigour and growth

Raspberries      Rue                  < Japanese beetle

Radish             Climbing beans    > grows better

Radish             Lettuce, beets  > succulent radishes

Rose                Chives or garlic  < blackspot/aphids

Rose                Parsley                         < rose beetle

Strawberries    Borage             > soil nutrition

Shrubs             Rue      < protects shrubs from many insects

Tomatoes         Marigolds  > tomatoes grow better

Tomatoes         Basil                > flavour and growth

Tomatoes         Borage             < tomato worm

Valerian           All veggies      > vigour to veggies

Yarrow     Medicinal herbs     > vigour to herbs.

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