Author Archives: Steve Jones

Companion Planting Peach Trees

Often considered as plant that will only grow in hot climates, peaches are much tougher than the fruit looks. In fact, as long as you provide them a fairly sheltered environment, with protection from strong winds they will do well. By companion planting peach trees with other helpful plants you will improve the health and yield of your fruit crop. Companion Planting Peach Trees One of the main problems when growing peaches in the UK is wind because the delicate flowers can easily get damaged. Later in the season once the fruits have set and are ripening, the problem is… → Read More

Companion Planting Parsley

Parsley is a biennial plant, which means that it takes 2 years to set it’s seed. It also means that the benefits of companion planting parsley will last for 2 years before you need to resow seed. There are 2 types of parsley, curly leaf and flat leaf, and both types will give you the same benefits. Companion Planting Parsley A great herb for deterring pests and for attracting beneficial insects like parasitic wasps and hoverflies. Plants that will benefit from companion planting with parsley include:- Parsley and Asparagus The asparagus bed is unproductive for about 10 months of the… → Read More

Companion Planting Clover

Clover has long been used as a green manure to prevent weeds and stop soil erosion. There are many benefits to companion planting clover in both the orchard and the vegetable bed. What is Clover Clover is a member of the legume family and grows easily in the UK. There are several types of clover and they will all fix nitrogen in the soil if dug in. White clover is low growing and good for suppressing weeds. Red clover produces lots of foliage which can be used as a mulch, once it has been cut back it will regrow. Companion… → Read More

4 Benefits Of Growing Elderberry Trees

If you think of the elderberry as just a weed tree, think again. Apart from it’s health effects on the human body, elderberry can be useful in the garden too. So here are 4 benefits of growing elderberry trees. What is a Elderberry Tree? Members of the Adoxaceae family of plants, there are several different varieties of the sambucus tree. The most common is sambucus nigra European or black elderberry. It can grow up to 30 feet ( 9 metres) in height with white flowers turning to clusters of black berries. Some grow more as shrubs than trees but they… → Read More

Companion Planting Wild Garlic

Wild garlic or hedge garlic as it is also known as, is usually found growing in woodlands or under hedges. When crushed the leaves and stems smell very strongly of garlic. Companion planting wild garlic is a great way to benefit from this shade loving plant. What is Wild Garlic? Wild garlic (allium ursinum) also known as hedge garlic, wood garlic, ramsons, buckrams, broad leaf garlic, bear leek, or bear garlic is a member of the onion family found growing wild in woods and hedges. To find out more about wild garlic click here. Companion Planting Wild Garlic As this… → Read More

Companion Planting Beetroot

Beetroots are easy to grow and a very versatile vegetable, with no waste as both the roots and leaves can be consumed. Companion planting beetroot is a good way of maximising garden space and protecting your beetroot crop from pests. Companion Planting Beetroot A reasonably trouble free plant when it comes to pests and diseases but versatile in what it is compatible with. Due to the various colours available beetroots can be grown in amongst flowers as well as with other vegetables. There are varieties with deep purple stems and colours ranging from purple, red, yellow, and white are also… → Read More

Companion Planting Pear Trees

The most obvious companion plant for a pear tree is another pear tree to help with pollination. That’s not always necessary though as many pears are able to self pollinate but not without insect assistance. By companion planting pear trees with other helpful plants you will attract many beneficial insects. Not only that but you will repel and/or deter many unwanted pests as well. Companion planting is a scientifically proven way of improving plant health and growth. It also mimics nature as many permaculture growers will agree. Companion Planting Pear Trees There are many plants to grow in companion with… → Read More

Companion Planting Garlic

Garlic is a natural accumulator of sulphur, a natural fungicide, which will help keep diseases away from your plants. By companion planting garlic you will improve the health and vitality of your plants. Read on for what to grow with garlic and what not to grow with garlic. Companion Planting Garlic According to the USDA Animal Plant health inspection service wildlife services, national wildlife research centre garlic repels deer. But that’s not all, garlic repels many garden pests including:- Aphids Carrot root fly Codling Moths Snails Whitefly Slugs At garden centres you can purchase concentrated garlic sprays which are proven… → Read More

Companion Planting Lettuce

Lettuce come in all shapes and sizes from long to round, tight heads to cut and come again leaves. By companion planting lettuce you can save space and improve the quality of your lettuce whatever variety you grow. Lettuce do best in cooler conditions it’s worth considering growing with taller plants and take advantage of the shade. Companion Planting Lettuce Taking advantage of taller plants is one consideration but it’s also worth remembering that lettuce require lots of water. Some of the companion plants listed below do not need lots of water so keep that in mind. Lettuce make a… → Read More

Companion Planting Geraniums

Geraniums have a distinctive smell, some people hate it but more importantly so do some plant pests. By companion planting geraniums your garden will benefit from less insect infestations. Companion Planting Geraniums The strong scent of the geranium repels many damaging insects Including mosquitoes, Cabbage white butterflies, Japanese beetles, rose chafers, and leaf hoppers. Mosquitoes might not cause problems to your garden, but they definitely cause problems to this gardener! Cabbage whites are the bane of the brassica grower, both Japanese and rose chafer beetles do considerable damage to roses and leafhoppers damage a wide range of plants. What to… → Read More