Companion Planting

Plants are conscious of the company they keep; some plants help others to grow while others repel insects or even other plants. Some plants prefer some strange bedfellows.

Rather than reaching for harsh sprays and artifiicial fertilisers, gardeners today are keen to experiment with time honoured, environmentally safe methods. Scientists and farmers are  also realising plants cannot be controlled with chemicals alone and that companion planting principles can help produce insect resistant fruits, grains and vegetables and boost crop production.

In more and more commercial orchards, fruit trees are being under planted and mixed with different herbs and vegetables to provide protection and to maximise the trees' capacity to bear crops.

In natural conditions, plants do grow in close communities with a number of different species existing side by side, unlike the rigid rows of single crop cultures found on some modern farms or in vegetable gardens.

How does companion planting work?

Companions help each other grow; Tall plants for example provide shade for sun sensitive shorter plants.

Companions use garden space efficiently; Vining plants cover the ground, upright plants grow up. Two plants in one patch.

Companions prevent pest problems; Plants like onions repel some pests. Other plants can lure pests away from more desirable plants.

Companions attract beneficial insects; Every successful garden needs plants that attract predators of pests.

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