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Writer's pictureAunts Garden

companion planting

11 plant combinations for companion planting flowers with veggies .


Nasturtium + Cucumber on a trellis / frame - nasturtiums repel pests that attack cucumbers


Melons /pumpkins/ squash + Flowering herbs - These are all vegetables that require pollinators to produce, so invite insect visitors into your garden by planting flowering herbs such as dill, fennel and parsley near melons and squash


Sweet alyssum + Swiss chard- Alyssum is an annual that's easy to grow from seed in between rows of vegetables.It's a big attractor of hover flies, which are beneficial insects that control aphids. Plant pretty Swiss chard as a border, interspersed with these delicate low-growing flowers.


Corn + Pole Beans + Squash or pumpkin-This Native American example of companion planting is often called the "Three Sisters." Corn gives the beans a place to climb. Beans convert atmospheric nitrogen to a form the plants can use. The spreading leaves of squash or pumpkin create a living mulch that reduces weeds and holds moisture.


Calendula + Broccoli - These flowers exude a sticky substance on their stems that attract aphids and traps them there. planting it next to brassica crops, specifically, broccoli, keeps the aphids off the broccoli. Plus, it brings in beneficial ladybugs to dine on the aphids.


Lettuce + Tomatoes or aubergines - Pairing plants with different growth habits together is referred to as 'intercropping,' and we do have some data to show it's effective. In this case, tomatoes and aubergines grow tall and eventually can shade cool season crops such as lettuce, which doesn't like heat. This trick may extend your lettuce season slightly.


Radishes + Carrots - These two plants take up nutrients from different places in the soil so they aren't competing for resources. Radishes mature quickly and don't grow as deeply as carrots, which have a long tap root and take more days to mature


Tomatoes + Basil or corriander - Some gardeners believe basil improves the flavour of tomatoes, but it's primarily planted because its strong scent may repel pests. Plus, if you let some of your basil or corriander go to flower, it brings in the pollinators


Lettuce + Chives or garlic - Aphids steer clear of smelly plants like chives or garlic, so try it near your lettuce. Or add alyssum nearby to bring in the beneficial insects


Roses + Geraniums or chives - Plants with a strong smell or taste are said to discourage beetle and aphids. While there's no guarantee it works, it's certainly worth giving it a try to prevent roses from getting eaten by these pesky little bugs, which seemingly multiply overnight.


Chamomile + Cabbage - Chamomile brings in the beneficial insects for brassicas such as cabbage. In the autumn, chop it up and toss on the bed to decompose, while leaving the roots intact to decay and enrich the soil

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