What is companion planting?

What is companion planting?

Companion planting is simply the practice of growing certain plants together, with the idea that they will assist each other in some way, to improve the overall health of your garden.

Companion plants do this in several ways including deterring pests, improving growth, enhancing flavour, attracting beneficial insects, suppressing weeds, aiding soil organisms and fixing nitrogen.

What are the benefits of companion planting?

One of the best things about companion planting is that it increases the biodiversity of your garden, which directly correlates to the diversity of micro-organisms and lifeforms that you will attract and encourage to stay in your garden.

Some plants are beneficial as companions for multiple reasons, giving even more cause to bring them into your garden.

Many companion plants are used to attract all the very special pollinating insects such as bees, while others attract predator insects like ladybugs and lacewings that help to control pest numbers.

Not only do companion plants bring harmony and biodiversity to a garden, but they also result in an overall stunning display – a garden that is both productive and beautiful.

Our top companion plants

Calendula

Calendula is used to attract beneficial insects, but it also helps bring life to the soil, as calendula roots form active relationships with soil fungi, encouraging mycelium and mycorrhizae.

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums will grow amongst plants to suppress weeds and are attractive to pollinators.

Marigolds

Marigolds stabilise soil, attract beneficial insects and help reduce damaging nematode numbers.

Other types of plants

Certain plants assist in physical ways too.

Taller plants can provide shelter from sun and wind for smaller plants that need protection.

Climbing plants can be trained up over taller plants to maximise production in small spaces. The shape of some plants and their flowers can visually confuse insect pests, while some strong-smelling herbs, like lemon verbena, confuse insects seeking out a target by masking other fragrances.

Plants in the legume family, like peas, promote growth in nearby plants with their ability to fix nitrogen. Nodules on the roots enable plants to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use. They also tend to be deep rooted, which promotes aeration of the soil, thus benefiting their neighbours. Comfrey is a deep-rooted plant that brings nutrients from deep below the root zone up towards the surface, making these nutrients available to nearby plants and crops.

Tips for successful companion planting

1. Avoid planting in monocultures and large blocks
2. Practice crop rotation to reduce soil-borne pests and diseases
3. Confuse pests using camouflage and competing fragrance
4. Include flowering plants to attract beneficial insects
5. Plant a decoy crop away from your vegetable garden