Companion planting

[allotment sue]

This year is the one I really want to get to grips with this, not only planting to discourage pests and diseases but also learn what NOT to plant next to stuff. Anyone out there have any tips/experience to share?

[bramble]

Allotment Sue, just google companion planting andou will get loads of tips and advice.

[allotment sue]

Thanks Bramble, I've just done that and you are right! I have just been on a really useful site - www.dgsgardening.@btinternet.co.uk - with a brilliant chart. Not sure what I'm going to do about toms and cues though as I usually grow them both in the greenhouse and it seems toms like basil and mint (amongst others) but cues don't like 'aromatic herbs'. Don't usually grow mint in there but do grow basil. That must come under 'aromatic' surely? Or is there a more scientific definition of 'aromatic'. It looks like it could be a busy year for marigolds and nasturtiums!

[bramble]

Sue, I always plant my toms, cucs and peppers in the greenhouse together with no adverse affect. I don't grow basil as I don't like it but i always plant a marigold (dwarf) in each pot with the toms and cucs. Seems to keep the white fly away. I also keep a pot or two of lavender by the greenhouse door to attract the bees in. Hope this helps.

[Jeanied]

Hi allotment Sue - just tried your link - it may be my machine but I couldn't make it work!

http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/companion.htm
Update - took bramble's advice and here is the link now

[Scottishnewbie]

Carrots love tomatoes.....

i borrowed a brill book from the library last year called Carrots Love Tomatoes - lots of great advice about companion planting & I'm sure it made a difference for my yields last year. Liked the book so much i went and bought it so i have my own copy and someone else can benefit from the library one!

[Snadger]

I don't know the technicalities of why mixed planting works..........all I know is that it does.
I mix as many types of flowers (singles are better than doubles) with as many types of vegetables as I can, and rely on my pond to attract frogs to the allotment as well.

Result, colourful and fruitful, everything flourishing, very little weeding (cos plants are packed so tightly) never seen a slug or any slug damage, no cabbage white or cabbage root fly damage and plants that needed fertilised, were fertilised with the miriad of flying creatures that enjpyed the anarchy!
The soil surface is also,now alive with flora & fauna from the organic matter I added after every crop was harvested.

Really looking forward to carrying on my experiment this year, and probably for my lifetime!

[Two_Sheds]

I got the Bob Flowerdew Companion Planting book in my MoM pack, but not read it yet. Watch this space

[Nicos]

Didn't someone post a huge thread on this a few years ago here on the Vine???
I've had a look but can't seem to find it. Actually I think there were 2????

[Nicos]

There were more...but here are some of the best ones...

Companion Planting

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...-planting.html

...hope that helps??

[Bigmallly]

I don't know the technicalities of why mixed planting works..........all I know is that it does.
I mix as many types of flowers (singles are better than doubles) with as many types of vegetables as I can, and rely on my pond to attract frogs to the allotment as well.

Sorry Snadger. Do you put all the above in the same bed or only if the veg belongs to the same family.

[oldie]

I was given the Bob Flowerdew Companion Planting book and The All New Square Foot Gardening book for Christmas. Both are very interesting but my conclusion is that with a few exceptions it does not matter too much what you put together. Close planting and a good mixture as Snadger advocates does the job. I like to read but information overload becomes an issue.

[Lovage]

I definately agree with Snadgers point and used mixed planting with flowers and herbs to ecourage beneficial insects etc BUT am very unsure about this 'companion Planting' stuff. It's a nice idea but who decided that some plants like/dislike other plants? Do we have any evidence?
Or is it the same ideas that just get repeated in different books?
I do know a lot of people have been disappointed when they tried the onions/carrots combo because they still got carrot fly!!. Unfortunately this idea is still circulating

[Snadger]

Sorry Snadger. Do you put all the above in the same bed or only if the veg belongs to the same family.

All mixed up higgledy piggledy. I never follow like with like at each small odd shaped planting pocket, which is usually less than 1 mtr square and often only half that. Always muck small area before adding another crop straight away.
I was, and to some extent, still am a 'straight line man'. This has taken a lot of unlearning and I am actually beginning to enjoy randomness! Randomness actually takes quite a bit of planning!
My biggest problem is that because I like to keep my beds growing something at all times, I am struggling to find places to plant stuff. I woud say that I still have about 90% of my two allotments still planted up and cropping.
I don't think I could ever go back to monoculture of each bed, although I have about 30 of them and used to garden that way.
Originally set out as a potager plot, it has just evolved into something I now feel very comfortable with. By working with nature and not against it I think I am being repayed admirably with produce and an inner peace I get from seeing my allotment blooming, full of life, and fruitful.

Sorry about the longwinded reply but its something I'm passionate about!!

[Nicos]

Snadge..your beds sound really wonderful- compared to my empty areas..any chance of a piccie for some inspiration???