companion planting?

[JerseyJimbo]

As i had a disaster with root fly on my carrots last year, about 95% affected, and caterpillar damage to my cabbage, cauli and broccolli again 95% affected,
i thought that id look into companion planting as id like to steer away from chemicals and sprays.

I have read that carrots work well with chives as a companion, and the brassicas should be sown with marigold's.

Now im a straight line grower, and wondered if i should mix the planting, ie sow the carrot and chive seed in the same trench, and plant the marigold's in with the brassicas, or should they be sown/planted in separate rows?

Also does anybody know of any other idea's for companion planting, as my lottie is a pretty diverse place, i grow everything from tom's to spud's and sweetcorn to pumpkins...?

[Nicos]

Here you are- we nattered about this not long ago.

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ing_45130.html


At the top of the page you will see a 'search ' facility- if you type in anything you're looking for in the box you'll often find quite a bit of info from previous posts.I actually went through all he previous companion planting threads and pulled hem together on that link I gave you!
I plant in raised beds- so grow clumps at the edges . I've also thought that if you plant in pots you can move them round a bit. It means a bit more watering though.

Hope that helps!!!

[Paulottie]

Re companion planting timing is the key...but link above great and too big a subject for sleepless me.

As far as carrot fly being kept away by chives...I'd get some enviromesh (infact I did)...carrot fly buzz along close to ground smelling out seedlings to lay their eggs by, thus the principle is to flank them with alliums...never worked for me.

Marigolds are planted under several crops to keep off the whitefly that dislike the smell and encourage predators (lacewing and hoverfly) that will keep down the aphids. They will have no effect on the caterpillars. You really need to pick those by hand...look for the eggs.

[Two_Sheds]

the only companion planting that works with carrots and brassicas is netting.

I've given the other options a shot, several in fact, but now it's netting all the way

[JerseyJimbo]

Ok, thanks for that reply and i will now use the search function that link is going to keep me busy for a while

I am still going to try companion planting, but i will also look at going down the root of enviromesh as well...

[Nicos]

My carrots grow under fleece almost all year- not to protect against frost- but to keep the carrot fly away.
Environmesh is fantastic stuff!
Ikea also sell net cutains for a rediculously low price- and that's fantasic too! ( well worth going for meatballs and chips)

[JerseyJimbo]

I think that ill be sticking to mesh Nicos, as much as i love ikea and the nets sound like a fab idea, my nearest one involves a flight and car hire which kinda negates the point...

[Nicos]

Any excuse!!!

( do you have any UK visitors staying this summer??)


There's also one in Rennes if you're over here.

[sagegreen]

the only companion planting that works with carrots and brassicas is netting.

I've given the other options a shot, several in fact, but now it's netting all the way

Same here: no reason why you still can't try companion planting though, I still think its worth doing - but only as an additional or 'back-up' solution.

[northepaul]

Ikea also sell net cutains for a rediculously low price- and that's fantasic too! ( well worth going for meatballs and chips)

Ohh no might need to go there now!! Meatballs, spuds, cream gravy and lingonerry sauce....

[Two_Sheds]

no reason why you still can't try companion planting though

... and I do. I have various flowers on 3 sides of my plot, and along the paths, to attract beneficial insects, and bramble/holly/ivy along the fence, to shelter the birdies

[Snadger]

Here you are- we nattered about this not long ago.

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ing_45130.html


At the top of the page you will see a 'search ' facility- if you type in anything you're looking for in the box you'll often find quite a bit of info from previous posts.I actually went through all he previous companion planting threads and pulled hem together on that link I gave you!
I plant in raised beds- so grow clumps at the edges . I've also thought that if you plant in pots you can move them round a bit. It means a bit more watering though.

Hope that helps!!!

Is Nicos morphing into Two Sheds as the vines Search Goddess methinks?

[elsie-scot]

Recently read that you can also plant some annual flowers - ones with fine foilage in with carrots and parsnips i.e. cornflower. A 50:50 mix of carrot to 1-4 annuals. So could grow some around the mesh. I am going to try a small mixed area, uncovered, with carrots, onions and flowers to see if it works.