Gardening.ie

What is companion planting and can you give me some suggestions what I can use to keep pests of my vegetable plants. Thanks BJ Carn.

Companion planting is a way of growing healthy plants that do not get too infested with pests and disease. The addition of certain plants also stimulates the growth of others; nasturtiums are great for attracting greenfly away from your brassicas, peas and beans. In a way it resembles nature and thankfully, if it is done correctly (with trail and error I might add), it eliminates the use of sprays. Some examples of this would be to grow strong smelling herbs amongst your vegetables. Rosemary will protect beans against weevils: rosemary, sage, thyme and mint will keep cabbage moths away. Basil will keep flies away from potatoes; chives deter aphids, mint deters ants; garlic protects potatoes against blight and horseradish protects the spud from beetles. Some vegetables help to keep pests off other vegetables. Rhubarb protects beans against blackfly; leeks protect carrots from the carrot fly; celery keeps moths away from cabbage; tomatoes keep beetles away from asparagus; lettuce protects radishes; and onions protect beetroot.



The wonders of nature do not end there either. Some plants can also protect vegetables. Zinnias keep most pests away from cucumbers, melons and marrows. Marigolds are a must in the garden too and they can be steeped in hot stock and used as a saffron substitute to add colour to rice. They are particularly useful at protecting beans. There is a tall relative called Tagetes minuta, which keeps pests away from beans, potatoes, tomatoes and strawberries. With trial and error and a varied planting scheme in the vegetable patch we should be able to keep most of the pests at bay this summer!

From scarecrow
http://www.vegetable-gardens.co.uk/foru ... .php?t=678


G'Day Ian,
Great to see another Companion Planter.
On the other side to this are the 'Bad' Companions.
Onion Family and Legumes - Due to the sulphur they excrete, they were used as antibiotics, the onion family deters or kills off the beneficial bacteria that legumes need to have in the soil to 'fix' nitrogen and make healthy growth.
The roots of Tomatoes and Apricot Trees don't like each other either.
Not many plants like Fennel either but it, itself, is hindered by the presence of Coriander.

On the 'good' side Corn, Squash and Climbing Beans is an American Indian traditional planting combination.
In permaculture these combinations are known as "Guilds - Harmonious groups of plants around a special plant that is supported and strengthened as a result". It's very interesting to note some of these groupings too.

We have to be careful in Australia as some of the 'well known' Northern Hemisphere companion plants can actually run rampant in our climate and cause more 'weed' problems than good effects.

But it's still very interesting to try some of these combinations.
I look forward to hearing about other people's combinations.

#3 19-11-2007, 01:42 PM
inishindie
Member Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Buncrana
Posts: 31


Companion

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Hi Scarecrow.


I was over in Byron Bay near Brisbane last year visiting my brother. I was doing some voluntary work on the coast line with a group called Green and Clean. We were getting rid of the bitou weed which was introduced from South Africa 30 years ago. The plant was introduced because it was hoped that it could hold off the erosion of the coast. It is so invasive that it swamps everything. In its place we were planting native Bankia and Whattle trees on the sand dunes. Incidently the S. African Govmt introduced plants from Australia and are having the same problem ! surprise!!

I did notice that they didn't have any of our invasive weed, the nettle. These plants are an indication of good soil and they make a great liquid feed.

The flowers attract bees. Sprays made from these are rich in silica and calcium. Invigorating for plants and improves their disease resistance. Leaving the mixture to rot, it then makes an excellent liquid feed. Comfrey improves the liquid feed even more.


They are an asset in any garden if kept under control. I did notice that you could buy seeds over there though!

Any more companions?

Cheers

Ian

Hi Ian
Byron Bay would be a bit sub-tropical for nettles.
I don't need to buy seed for them in South Australia as they usually come into the garden via the sheep manure we get in. I welcome them in my garden and add them to compost heaps as well as using them as you say for liquid feeds. They will only grow through our winters here and do so without any assistance so they are great!
I grow comfrey too but that needs plenty of water during our summer and doesn't grow in winter.

Yes acacias (wattles) and eucalypts introduced to New Zealand are causing problems there too. We even have problems with native plants that come from different regions of Australia taking over in areas where they are not locals.

Any more companions?
Members of our local garden club have found Peas and Coriander grow well together and usually at the same time over here too.
Last year I did notice (almost by accident) that Basil planted near Kale plants kept the cabbage moths and aphids away...only problem with that is I usually grow brassicas in winter here and Basil doesn't like our frost...maybe I could try making a spray with dried Basil. Might be something to trial.

I do grow members of the Apiaceae family for their umbel flowers to attract beneficial insects to the garden. Things like Dill, Fennel, Coriander even Carrots and Parsnip gone to seed.

But Beneficial Insects are another (different) topic!

Got any hints to keep grasshoppers off the food crops?
Larkspurs don't seem to work against them here.
__________________
A society grows great when old men plant trees
whose shade they know they shall never sit in.
Greek Proverb

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