Companion Planting is the idea that some plants have a beneficial effect on others growing nearby and other plants have a detrimental influence.
This is an ancient one that was seen during the times of the Romans, and perhaps even before then.
Although many will disregard companion planting and see it as old wives' tales, many plants do defend themselves against insects by being poisonous to them or developing a strong scent that frightens them away, and it is possible that a plant growing close by might benefit from being in this bug-free zone.
So, although companion planting is also mixed up in folklore, there is also an element of fact and this method can be happily adopted by those who practise organic gardening.
For example, French marigolds (Tagetes patula) secrete an enzyme or a hormone into the soil that deters nematodes from infesting their roots, and it does seem that tomatoes or other nematode susceptible plants growing as neighbours will be protected.
It may be significant that most of these beneficent plants are strongly aromatic.
Many times, planting certain plants together is also for practical reasons.
Planting lettuce next to corn means that the lettuces can be shaded during hot summers.
When you plant cabbages in the late summer, at the same time, and in the same bed, you can also plant garlic.
Where cabbages will use of a lot of nutrients, and where the cabbages will be harvested in the autumn, the garlic will continue growing until the following summer resulting in good crops for both.
Chives and onions planted near carrots will help also deter the presence of carrot rust flies.
Radishes when planted next to Chervil benefit from the shade the herb casts, and the result is lovely juicy radishes that are not woody at all.
Beans are heavy feeders and therefore it is advisable to companion plant it with something less greedy.
Therefore mustard is a perfect companion.
The common dandelion that some see as a scourge in the garden should think again.
It is now known that dandelions attract pollinating insects.
Furthermore, they also release ethylene which is a gas that encourages fruit setting and fruit ripening.
Herbs too have been known to repel certain insects.
Nasturtiums are great for repelling white fly, southernwood for repelling the cabbage butterfly, tobacco for flea beetles, catnip, coriander, nasturtiums and tansy for getting rid of the Colorado potato beetle, and catnip and nasturtiums for repelling the green peach aphids.
Good Companion Plants oBasil with tomatoes, asparagus, beans, grapes, apricots and fuchsias oBeans with potatoes and sweet corn oBorage with strawberries oChives with carrots, cucumbers and tomatoes oCitrus with guavas oCucumbers with potatoes oGarlic with roses, apples, apricots and peaches oGeraniums with grapes oGrapes with mulberries oHorseradish with almost any fruit tree oHyssop with cabbages and grapes oIrises with roses oLeeks with celery oLettuce with carrots, onions and strawberries oMarigolds (French) with tomatoes, roses, potatoes, daffodils and beans oMelons with sweetcorn oMint with cabbages and other brassicas, and peas oNasturtiums with cucumbers, zucchini, squash oOnions with carrots, kohlrabi and turnips oParsley with roses, asparagus and tomatoes oPeas with carrots oRoses with grapevines oSage with cabbages oSunflowers with squash and sweetcorn oThyme with any Brassica oWallflowers with apples Bad Companion Plants oApples with potatoes oBeans with beets oBeans with garlic oCabbages with strawberries oGladioli with strawberries, beans and peas oHyacinths with carnations oMint with parsley oSunflowers with any vegetable but squash oWormwood with just about everything So next time you are planting your vegetables and flowers choose their neighbours carefully.
When looking at people some neighbours are helpful, beneficial and nice to have around.
Others are spawned in Hell and do untold damage.
Make sure that the next time you plant out, you choose good neighbours for your flowers and vegetables!