Companion planting is a brilliant, natural way to boost your garden’s health and productivity. It’s been around for centuries, making the most of the natural friendships between plants to create a happy, balanced garden. It is the cornerstone of organic gardening. Whether you’re a pro gardener or just starting, knowing how to use companion planting properly can make it easier and simpler.
What Is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is all about pairing up plants so they help each other out. But where there are hundreds of guides that will tell you tomatoes don’t like cucumbers, and potatoes don’t like cabbages. The worst part is that some guides will say the opposite. It’s rather like trying to come up with a seating plan for a wedding! The thing is that if you’re growing a kitchen garden or allotment, you’re unlikely to notice any problems. So focus on the companion plants that help to manage pests or the environment, rather than who likes who.
Some plants keep pesky bugs away, others improve the soil, and some even offer shade to their more delicate neighbours. However, companion planting is mostly about creating biodiversity, and making your garden better for all the plants growing in it.
What are the Advantages?
One of the biggest perks of companion planting is pest control. It helps create more plant biodiversity, which in turn brings in more bugs and more predators, helping to balance your garden ecosystem. This balance is ultimately what causes some gardens to thrive, while others struggle.
Companion planting can also help to save space. Using plants in the verticle, horizontal and underground space in your vegetable patch means that you can pack more in.
Tried-and-Tested Companion Planting Combos
One of the most famous examples of companion planting is the “Three Sisters” method, a technique used by Native American gardeners. This involves growing corn, beans, and squash together. The theory is that the corn gives the beans something to climb, the beans add nitrogen to the soil, and the squash’s big leaves help keep weeds at bay and moisture locked in.
In my experience, this method is tricky to get right. The beans end up strangling the sweetcorn and pumpkins struggle for light. It might work in warmer climates where sunlight hours are not limited, but here in the UK I don’t know many people that make this work for the best of all the crops Here are some that I have tried, and work well.
Carrots and onions – Onions repel carrot flies, who find their way by smell.
Nasturtiums and brassicas – Nasturtiums attract caterpillars away from your precious brassicas, acting as a natural decoy.
Marigolds – Marigolds work with lots of different plants helping to deter aphids. Underground, their roots can help to deter damaging nematodes to protect tomato roots. They also help keep couch grass at bay.
Garlic and Lettuce – Garlic helps to deter slugs from lettuce plants. I plant lettuce between rows of garlic.
Basil and Tomatoes – Not just great together on a pizza, Basil helps to deter aphids too.
Don’t Get Too Bogged Down
While it’s great to know which plants help each other out, don’t stress too much about getting every combination perfect. The real goal of companion planting is to create a biodiverse and balanced garden ecosystem. A mix of different plants will naturally support one another, attracting beneficial insects, improving soil health, and keeping pests in check. Instead of rigidly following planting charts, focus on variety and working with nature rather than against it.
Getting Started with Companion Planting
The best way to get into companion planting is to experiment. Every garden is different, and what works wonders for one might not work the same for another. Keep it simple at first, planting a few beneficial plants like marigolds and nasturtiums and see where you can take it from there. Over time, you’ll get a feel for what works best in your space.
The most important thing to remember about companion planting is that it’s all about creating a good environment. The more biodiversity you have in your garden, the easier it will be to manage your pests. Plant biodiversity also helps to build soil health, and support local wildlife.
Grow a New Garden
I’m really excited to say that I have a brand-new book coming out; Grow a New Garden. Through my years of gardening, I have started numerous new gardens. So, I’ve learned a thing or two about what it takes. Additionally, as an ecologist and gardening expert, I’ve poured my knowledge into this book to create something truly unique. Grow a New Garden takes you through every step you need to take to plan, design and create your garden in a way that is organic and positive for the environment.
Need Help Planning Your Vegetable Garden?
I’ve got you! My Allotment Planner is the perfect guide for what to do, sow, plant out and harvest each month. It comes with a handy space for planning your vegetable patch, a temperature log, plant logs and at-a-glance growing guides.
