Companion planting is very beneficial if you are a gardener. This is especially true if you want to grow organically.

What is it?

Companion planting is brilliant for keeping garden pests away. By combining plants they can help each other keeping pests away – they do this by attracting beneficial insects. i.e ladybirds.

Plant combinations

* Grow marigolds and plant near tomatoes and because marigolds produce a strong scent this will keep away greenfly and blackfly.

* Plant nasturtium near cabbages, because nasturtiums are loved by white butterflies they will lay the eggs on there and leave your cabbages alone.

* Garlic or leeks planted near carrots will confuse the carrot fly and will also protect against slug damage. (Have you ever noticed that garlic never has slug damage?)

* Basil – helps in warding off whitefly when planted amongst vegetables.

* Nettles – are loved by the cabbage white butterflies, this keeps them away from brassica crops.

Always plant the companion plants at the same time as your vegetable crop – this prevents pests from getting a head start.