What is Companion Planting? Benefits & Tips to Get Started
Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves planting different plants together to maximise their mutual benefits. By strategically pairing compatible plants, you can enhance growth, deter pests, improve soil health, and increase overall garden productivity. In this blog post, we'll explore the numerous benefits of companion planting and provide you with practical tips to get started in your own garden.
1. Maximising Plant Health and Growth:
Companion planting can improve plant health and growth by utilizing the natural synergies between certain plants. For example, planting nitrogen-fixing plants like beans or peas alongside nitrogen-loving plants like tomatoes can enrich the soil with essential nutrients, leading to healthier and more productive crops.
2. Pest Control and Natural Pest Deterrence:
Certain plant combinations can help repel pests, reducing the need for harmful pesticides. Here are some examples:
Basil: Planting basil near tomatoes can repel aphids, whiteflies, and mosquitoes.
Marigolds: Interplanting marigolds with vegetables can deter aphids, nematodes, and other pests.
Nasturtiums: These vibrant flowers not only add beauty to the garden but also attract aphids and caterpillars away from your other plants.
Chives: Planting chives near roses can help deter aphids and Japanese beetles.
3. Attracting Beneficial Insects:
Companion planting can also attract beneficial insects that help control pests naturally. Here are some examples:
Dill: Attracts ladybugs and lacewings, which feed on aphids, mealybugs, and other garden pests.
Yarrow: Attracts ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies, which are beneficial predators of aphids and other soft-bodied insects.
Calendula: Attracts hoverflies, which prey on aphids and other small insects.
Sunflowers: These tall and cheerful flowers attract a variety of beneficial insects, including bees and ladybugs.
4. Improved Pollination and Fruit Set:
Companion planting can enhance pollination by attracting pollinators to the garden. Here are some examples:
Bee Balm: Attracts bees and hummingbirds, promoting pollination in the garden.
Borage: Its bright blue flowers attract bees and other pollinators, improving fruit set in nearby plants.
Lavender: Its fragrant flowers are irresistible to bees, ensuring efficient pollination and higher yields.
5. Weed Suppression and Soil Protection:
Strategic companion planting can help suppress weeds and protect the soil from erosion. For example, planting ground-covering plants like clover or thyme around taller crops can inhibit weed growth and prevent soil erosion, while also providing additional benefits like nitrogen fixation. Here are a few more examples:
Strawberries: Their dense foliage acts as a natural ground cover, suppressing weeds and protecting the soil.
Sweet Alyssum: This low-growing plant forms a dense carpet of flowers, crowding out weeds and attracting beneficial insects at the same time.
Mint: The spreading habit of mint plants helps to cover the soil, reducing weed growth and adding a pleasant fragrance to the garden.
Getting Started with Companion Planting:
Research compatible plant combinations: Identify plants that have positive interactions and consider their growth habits, nutrient needs, and pest-repellent properties.
Plan your garden layout: Determine the best placement for companion plants, taking into account factors like sunlight requirements, spacing, and plant height.
Rotate crops: Practice crop rotation to prevent disease buildup and maintain soil health.
Experiment and observe: Keep a gardening journal to record your companion planting
Here’s a little peak at what my own companion planting looks like, currently I have nasturtiums and marigolds lining the sides of my veg beds helping to protect my kale, spinach, lettuce and sprouts:
