Companion Planting.

[bramble]

Feel free to shoot me down if this has been done before, did we ever have a section devoted to companion planting. Thought it might be interesting.

[Sarico]

I'm going mad in the last few days to find what to plant with tomato, potato, etc. This will be very good

[veggiechicken]

There are a couple of threads on the Archived Techniques Board - these are closed threads so you can't discuss it there, but you can always start a new thread

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ing_29341.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...tes_81255.html

[Sarico]

Thanks vc for the link. D good stuff in one website.

[Kristen]

Feel free to shoot me down too but I don't put any credance in it - should I?

I am not interested in resisting any bug, if it is damaging to the plant to be a serious problem (Carrot Fly for example), I want to avoid it. So I would net rather than use any other plant to try to reduce the problem (or plant a resistant variety - which might well lack the flavour of the tastiest varieties that I grow).

I've grown Marigolds in the greenhouse to try to keep the whitefly away - can't say it made any difference, and when the Tomatoes are 5' tall the Marigolds are a long way away (from the "business end")

Admittedly two examples, from many, but perhaps amongst the most commonly quoted.

For me to be convinced I'd need some sort of side-by-side comparison test. Lots of people tell me "Works for me" - which, in relation to carrot fly for example, might just mean that there aren't any in the area

[Alison]

My main reason for growing some plants (mainly flowers) amongst my veggies is to attract bees and beneficial insects. Also they look pretty and make me smile. I'm with Kristen re netting though, I don't believe you can have certainty otherwise.

[bussinspain]

There are a couple of threads on the Archived Techniques Board - these are closed threads so you can't discuss it there, but you can always start a new thread

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ing_29341.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...tes_81255.html

What amazing info on these sites - I have just been trying to work out the best companion planting plan.

[Mark Lottie]

I tend to just avoid well known "bad companions/neighbours" like onion and beans rather than rely on these lists. A lot of them make sense but I dont really see many scientific reasons or decent citations for them.

Plant flowers with everything to get the good bugs and pollinators

Plant nasturtium/trailing plants with everything to get ground cover to shade out weeds

Plant herbs with everything to get the extra minerals they pull up with their tap root (dynamic accumulators)

Utilise climbing plants when you have tall plants (sweetcorn and beans) to get the most out of the real estate.

I think most plants will grow well together

[Lumpy]

I use the 'belt and braces' approach. I grow borage, marigolds, nasti's and herbs to encourage bugs to come in and have a mooch around (polinate). I grow my carrots either in boxes or surrounded by onions and garlic. I also use bug mesh on my brassica's.
I have not had carrot fly because - too high off ground/ allium smell or no flies around.
Beans etc normally have alot of flowers - thanks bugs, who might have tuned up anyway.
Cabbage whites have got under the netting and devastated my cabbages.
So.... just plant in what ever way you are happy because in the long run whatever you do it will feed your stomach, your finances, your health, your senses, your soul and finally give your eyes a masterpiece to look at.