Companion Planting Sage

My son has a large pot full of sage and on my last visit I took a small cutting as sage will root easily. It’s a handy herb to use and companion planting sage will deter many pests and attract beneficial insects as well. Companion Planting Sage Sage deters cabbage white butterflies, flea beetles, and carrot root flies. Companion planting sage will benefit these plants:- Broccoli and Sage Plagued by cabbage white caterpillars, broccoli will benefit from the strong aroma from sage which will repel cabbage whites. As with all brassicas, broccoli is also susceptible to flea beetle damage and… → Read More

Companion Planting Figs

Man has been cultivating figs for at least 10,000 years and probably before that. During that time, many growing combinations will have been tried. We don’t need trial and error as we have all of that combined knowledge of companion planting figs to draw upon, The benefits of companion planting are well known and scientifically proven to improve plant health and growth. Fig companion planting is an interesting one as most figs do better with confined roots. This means that we need to be mindful that companion plants will be in competition for nutrients. Companion Planting Figs I mentioned confining… → Read More

Companion Planting Rue

Often found in homeopathic remedies, rue (ruta graveolens) also known as herb of grace is a beneficial companion plant. Companion planting rue will help to deter many pests including aphids, flea beetles, onionfly larvae, beetles, slugs, and snails. Take care when handling rue as it can cause skin irritation. Companion Planting Rue A mediterranean herb rue will tolerate hot, dry soils and is widely grown as an ornamental plant. It is a toxic plant and eating large quantities will cause vomiting, stomach pain, and even death. The benefits of companion planting rue are worth while however as long as you… → Read More

Companion Planting Catnip – The Benefits

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) also known as catnep, catswort, or catmint is a member of the mint family. Like all mints if planted with the correct plants catnip can be a very beneficial plant. Read on to find out the benefits of companion planting catnip. Companion Planting Catnip The Benefits Catnip has a strange, but not unpleasant smell and deters flea beetles, ants, aphids, weevils, cabbage white butterflies, and mice. It’s flowers attract many bees, hoverflies, and other pollinators. It also attracts parasitic wasps making catnip a very useful plant for the organic gardener. Companion Planting Catnip Just by looking at… → Read More

Companion Planting horseradish

Horseradish is found growing wild in hedgerows and on wasteland. There are good reasons to take the time and effort to grow this plant. By companion planting horseradish you will benefit from the health giving properties of this plant. Horseradish is a member of the brassica family but unlike other brassicas, horseradish exudes beneficial chemicals. It can become invasive and will spread from the tiniest piece of root. The best way to grow horseradish is to grow it in open ended buckets to contain the roots. Companion Planting horseradish Horseradish exudes oils that reduce the presence of fungal infections in… → Read More

Companion Planting Foxgloves

Foxgloves are found in woodlands up and down the country and they thrive in those conditions. There is so much more to this stately looking flower. By companion planting foxgloves you will reap many benefits not least of which is this pretty flower. Thompson and Morgan have a great post on how to grow foxgloves click here to see it. Companion Planting Foxgloves I’ll have to start with a word of warning, foxgloves are poisonous to people and animals, that said they contain digitalis which is a steroid which exerts a powerful action on the heart . For my top… → Read More

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

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