Companion Planting

For the lucky ones among us who have decent soil to grow vegetables, the suggestions below might be of interest.The theory behind companion planting is that plants have specific likes and dislikes concerning their close companions in the garden and will do better if planted in close proximity to the correct plant. Similarly, by planting a particular species in the garden you can reduce the number of weeds or attract certain pest predators. The plants can be other vegetables, herbs or flowers. Planting herbs and flowers between the vegetables makes for a very attractive looking vegetable patch.

The following are examples of companion planting :

Cabbage : if planted close to tomatoes – against the cabbage maggot; if planted close to green beans – against cabbage maggot and the ash aphid; and if planted close to celery and tomatoes – against the white butterfly.

Cabbage : if planted close to hyssop, mint, sage and thyme – against the white butterfly.

Cabbage : if planted close to Cosmos – against the white butterfly; if planted close to French Marigolds – against the flea beetle.

Carrots : if planted close to garlic, chives, shallots, onions, salsify and leeks – against carrot fly; if planted close to radish – against red spiders.

Courgette : if planted close to basil – against oidium (fungus); if planted close to thyme – against snails.

Courgette : if planted close to nasturtiums, marigolds and French marigolds – against aphids; if planted close to the Tobacco Plant Nicotiana – against whitefly.

Cucumber : if planted close to basil – against oidium (fungus); if planted close to sage – helps to improve their development.

Cucumber : if planted close to nasturtiums – against black aphids.

Green beans : if planted close to sweet corn – will benefit from the n itrogen released into the soil by the green beans, whilst the green beans can use the maïs for their climbing varieties.

Green beans : if planted close to savory (sarriette) and rosemary – against the bean fly, and in addition the herbs improve the flavour of the beans.

Green beans : if planted close to nasturtiums – against aphids.

Leeks : if planted close to carrots – against the leek moth.

Lettuce : cabbage will provide shade to the lettuce at the start of its growth and during the summer.

Lettuce : if planted close to rosemary, savory, sage and thyme – against aphids; thyme also keeps the slugs away. (yippee !)

Lettuce : if planted close to nasturtiums and marigolds – against aphids.

Melon : if planted close to parsley and oregano – against aphids; if planted close to thyme – against slugs.

Onions : if planted close to carrots – against the onion maggot.

Onions : if planted close to parsley – improves their growth.

Peas : if planted close to potatoes – against oidium and the potatoes benefit from the nitrogen released into the soil by the peas.

Peas : if planted close to the Tobacco Plant Nicotiana – against thrips (minute insect with four fringed wings).

Peppers and Chilli Peppers : if planted close to radish – against red spider mite.

Peppers and Chilli Peppers : if planted close to borage – borage attracts pollinators for the fertilisation and fruit forming.

Peppers and Chilli Peppers : if planted close to marigolds and French marigolds – against aphids.

Potatoes : if planted close to garlic and aubergine – against the colorado beetle; if planted close to green beans, peas, broad beans – for the nitrogen released into the soil by the beans which enhance their growth.

Potatoes : if planted close to chives and coriander – against the colorado beetle.

Radish : if planted close to tomatoes and lettuce – against the flea beetle; if planted close to carrots – to soften the taste of the radish.

Spinach : if planted close to broad beans, green beans and peas – stimulates the growth because these vegetables release nitrogen into the soil.

Spinach : if planted close to thyme – aids against snails.

Spinach : if planted close to marigolds and French marigolds – against aphids.

Tomatoes : if planted close to parsley and basil – to stimulate their growth.

Tomatoes : if planted close to French marigolds and marigolds – against nematodes (miniscule threadworm); if planted close to nasturtiums – against mildew.

Turnips : if planted close to aniseed, lettuce and tomatoes – against the flea beetle.