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  • Polyculture/Companion planting

    I am planning for next year (already!) I have read quite alot obout polyculture and companion planting and this seems to me to be the most practical approach.
    It would seem that cabbage white will select a monoculture of brassicas over a mix of veg, so I thought of maybe growing dwarf beans(d) in the middle of a double row of brassicas(B) with beetroot (b)

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    ddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd
    bbBbbbbBbbbbBbbbbBbbbbBbbbbBbbbB

    I fancy mangetout peas in among the early spuds,

    I already have a bed with pole beans pumpkins and toms (the toms got there by themselves) so will see how it goes.

    How about growing pole beans and cucumbers up the same frame?

    Beans, squash and corn are well known as the three sisters (although I think I would go for dwarf beans).

    Toms, peppers, aubergines with basil and marigolds.

    All with a good mix of annual flowers to attract and distract the bugs.

    Lettuce under the shade of courgettes.

    As almost everything seems to like the nitrogen of legumes I thought I would chuck some in almost everywhere - are there any disease problems here that I haven't considered? I will rotate the position of the brassicas and toms and spuds but are beans and peas prone to anything if planted everywhere all the time?

    Has anyone done this (particularly the brassica and bean bit - does it really confuse the flutterbys?). What other mixes and combinations work or should be avoided?
    Tx

  • #2
    Hi Tootles,

    I also have an interest in Companion planting etc, this year I have put my garlic around my peas, broad beans and sugar snap as it is said to put aphids off, and I must admit I have only seen a few. Also French Marigolds have been sown all over the place to attrat hover flies as they are natural predators for some pests as well. Also leave a patch of Nettles growing on your plot as that's where ladybirds lay their lavae and we like ladybirds. I have seen a fair few especially on my comfrey.

    I have also dug a small hole and put an old Victoria baby bath in it and filled it with water, put some broken crockery etc and the frogs love it. I see them quite alot jumping through my beds near the end of the day, eating slugs as they go, happy days!

    Theres so much to consider and this is my first year so if we could share experiences and tips that would be great.

    Regards
    Those that forget the past are condemned to repeat it!

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    • #3
      The only companion planting we have used is french marigolds in the pots/growbags of tomatoes, to keep away whitefly. It does appear to work, insofaras while we have been using this method, we have not been plagued with whitefly in the greenhouse.

      In the latest copy of the RHS magazine The Garden, it is also recommended planting the marigolds round runner and broad beans to keep away blackfly. Shall be trying this this year.

      As you say, the marigolds also attract beneficial insects.

      valmarg

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      • #4
        In addition to French Marigolds I have Nasturtium's all over the place, which have not really started flowering yet, but apparantly they attract the aphids etc away from your beans and pea's and anything else they might be munching on.

        Kind Regards

        Ed
        Those that forget the past are condemned to repeat it!

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        • #5
          Originally posted by Edwardo82 View Post
          In addition to French Marigolds I have Nasturtium's all over the place, which have not really started flowering yet, but apparantly they attract the aphids etc away from your beans and pea's and anything else they might be munching on.

          Kind Regards

          Ed
          Me too Ed. The only thing I'm not keen on is that there aren't many nasurtium flowers, but monster leaves, due to feeding the veg which encourages more foliage on the nasturtium. I suppose it's worth the sacrifice if the caterpillars don't munch my veg!
          Granny on the Game in Sheffield

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          • #6
            How much do the nasturtiums spread out amongst the crops once planted?

            Also got marigolds dotted in amongst my veggies (though less this year as I couldn't get any to germinate for some reason and had to buy them), though not seen much feeding on the blackfly and aphids though!

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            • #7
              Cabbage Whites find brassicas by scent - there is little you can do to stop them, apart from netting the crop. This is very difficult unless all the crop is in one place.

              What does help brassicas is to plant French Marigolds among them ... they deter whitefly (it really works to keep the numbers down).
              All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by tootles View Post
                I have read quite alot obout ...companion planting

                I fancy mangetout peas in among the early spuds,
                Have you read Bob Flowerdew's bible?
                ...
                how will you harvest your early spuds without digging up the pea plants?
                All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

                Comment

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