Post by 4pygmies on Mar 21, 2007 8:12:07 GMT 1
I thought I'd start a thread about companion planting so we could add companion plant combinations which we have found actually work! There are loads of old wives tales about this but I always respect those old wives opinions personally since I am an Old Wife these days! These are companion plants which I use in my garden and am satisfied that they do make a difference:
- I always grow Sweet Peas with Runner Beans to attract bees to aid pollination.
- I always have several clumps of Nasturtiums near Brassicas to keep the blackfly off. They prefer the Nasturtiums.
- Grow clumps of Chives under Roses to help prevent Blackspot.
- Grow Basil in with your greenhouse Tomatoes to attract pollinating insects. Very few tomato dishes are not improved by handfuls of Basil anyway so it's convenient too!
- Grow French Marigolds under your Tomatoes too as the roots are said to secrete a substance which deters whitefly which is then taken up by the tomato plants.
- Grow carrots and onions in alternating rows so the strong scent of each will mask and deter the carrot and onion fly pest.
- Make it a practice to grow clumps of strong scented herbs such as Oregano, Hyssop and Chamomile (amongst others) to attract pollinating insects. Very decorative too.
There are many others I know but these are the plants pairings I use every year.
- I always grow Sweet Peas with Runner Beans to attract bees to aid pollination.
- I always have several clumps of Nasturtiums near Brassicas to keep the blackfly off. They prefer the Nasturtiums.
- Grow clumps of Chives under Roses to help prevent Blackspot.
- Grow Basil in with your greenhouse Tomatoes to attract pollinating insects. Very few tomato dishes are not improved by handfuls of Basil anyway so it's convenient too!
- Grow French Marigolds under your Tomatoes too as the roots are said to secrete a substance which deters whitefly which is then taken up by the tomato plants.
- Grow carrots and onions in alternating rows so the strong scent of each will mask and deter the carrot and onion fly pest.
- Make it a practice to grow clumps of strong scented herbs such as Oregano, Hyssop and Chamomile (amongst others) to attract pollinating insects. Very decorative too.
There are many others I know but these are the plants pairings I use every year.
