Companion Planting
COMPANION PLANTING
(Happy Plants - the Natural Way)
What is companion planting?
Companion planting is a way of combining different plants in your garden
so that their natural properties help to control pests and diseases,
and they are able to grow strong and healthy without the use of chemicals.
Why should we try it?
* We can use fewer chemicals without being over-run by pests
* It works in harmony with nature, encouraging natural predators
* Some of these combinations seem to enhance the flavour of the produce
* Combining plants can take up less space in a small garden
* Growing veg, fruit, herbs & flowers together can look stunning
How can plants help each other?
* By attracting predators such as birds, hoverflies, ladybirds etc
* By repelling pests or attracting them away from other plants
* By providing shelter for smaller plants
* By their root secretions (eg nitrogen) which stimulates growth in other plants.
Top 10 Companion Plants
Carrot & onion- confusing smells repel carrot fly & onion fly
Cabbage family & sage or thyme- aromatic herbs repel cabbage white butterflies & cabbage root fly
Tomatoes & French marigolds- repels whitefly and nematodes
Strawberries & poached egg plant (Limnanthes)- attracts pollinating insects
Roses & chives- reduces black spot & discourages insect pests
Raspberries & tansy- repels most insect pests
Fruit trees & borage- attracts pollinating insects
Cucumbers & zinnias- repels whitefly
Peas & lavender- repels mice
Courgettes & beans- extra nitrogen stimulates courgette's growth