Last year the press reported that the sale of vegetable seeds had outstripped the sale of flower seeds for the first time since 1939. Growing your own has steadily increased in popularity and with the aid of potato and strawberry barrels and smaller compact fruit trees and bushes even those with a small garden or patio can grow something productive.
Spring is a busy time on the allotment and there is no better time to consider companion planting. So what exactly does this mean? Well, it is certainly nothing new. Over centuries it has been noted that some plants seem to thrive better when planted next to a particular plant. Deliberately planting such plants near to each other is known as companion planting. It is very popular with organic gardeners or those wishing to reduce their use of pesticides.
Whilst some plants seem to boost the growth of others another group, known as sacrificial plants, protect their neighbours by attracting pests and diseases to themselves. An example of this is the nasturtium which not only helps to deter aphids but also attracts blackfly to itself.
Herbs are excellent companion plants; not only can they assist your fruit and vegetables but are useful in their own right. A definite win win situation. Just a word of caution – not all herbs are compatible with all fruits and vegetables. Some are thought to have a negative effect and some easily cross pollinate. The herbs listed below are some of the best herbs for companion planting, although there are more:
oAngelica — the flowers of this herb attract beneficial insects which prey on many garden pests.
oBorage — this herb is thought to help strawberries thrive. It attracts bees for pollination.
oChamomile — chamomile is thought to improve the health, flowers and yield of many other plants. It has been called “the plant’s physician”. Plant this herb with onion and cabbage. Chamomile also attracts beneficial hoverflies.
oChervil — a herb reputed to give radishes a hotter flavour if planted beside them. Chervil is also thought to protect lettuce from ants and aphids and repel slugs.
oChives — chives help to deter carrot rootfly, prevent scab on apples and black spot on roses.
oCoriander — this herb is thought to repel aphids and carrot fly.
oDill — a good herb to plant near lettuces and cabbages. Do not plant too near to fennel as they cross pollinate easily.
oFennel — the flowers of this herb attract many beneficial insects which prey on garden pests. It is, however, thought to adversely affect the growth of beans, tomatoes and coriander so do not plant it near those or next to dill with which it easily cross pollinates.
oHorseradish — horseradish is thought to repel potato bugs. Note however that this herb is very invasive so consider its location carefully if planting in open ground.
oHyssop — this herb is thought to repel cabbage white butterfly and is generally thought beneficial for grapevines. Hyssop attracts bees for pollination.
oLovage — The number one companion herb plant, it loves virtually everything (and makes fantastic soup).
oMarjoram — marjoram is generally a good companion herb to most plants in the vegetable garden. It is attractive to bees.
oNasturtium — deters aphids, especially whitefly, squash bugs and woolly aphids and as mentioned above, attracts blackfly to itself.
oSage — this herb is thought generally beneficial to vegetables and helps to repel cabbage white butterfly.
oSummer Savory — a herb often planted with beans and is thought to deter the Mexican bean beetle.
oThyme — thyme attracts bees and its strongly scented foliage is thought to stimulate other plants around it. This herb is thought to repel flea beetle and cabbage white butterfly so companion plant it with rocket and cabbages for best effect.
So if you are growing your own this year why not give companion planting with herbs a try.
Happy planting!
Nicholson’s Herb Farm is a family-run business specialising in fresh culinary, aromatic and medicinal herb plants and herb seeds which are available to order online. For further information and to order online visit http://www.nicholsonsherbfarm.co.uk
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