Tag Archives: grapes

companion planting petunias

Petunias are a great garden annual flower, they come in a variety of styles and colours. More importantly for the vegetable grower, petunias repel many garden pests. By companion planting petunias you will have a great display that is relatively pest free. companion planting petunias The list of plants that are improved in some way by companion planting petunias is a long one. Before we get into it, let’s look at what insects petunias deter. What Insects Are Repelled By Petunias? Petunias have a reputation among gardeners as being the go to plant for repelling certain pests. These include:- Asparagus… → Read More

kale companion plants

Kale is a member of the brassica family and has similar growing requirements to others of this plant group. Companion planting is beneficial to plants for a number of reasons, soil and watering compatiblity, health and insect deterrence. The kale companion plants listed below will also be fine to grow with all other brassicas. kale companion plants There are some plants that should never be grown anywhere near kale but more on these later, for now let’s concentrate on the best companions for kale. Just before we start, there are some reports that artichokes make a good companion plant to… → Read More

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 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

Companion Planting Grapes

For centuries growers have been companion planting grapes to improve their crops. The Greeks and the Romans too, so if it’s good enough for the classics then it’s good enough for me as well. Companion Planting Grapes Grapes are not just a good source of fibre, they also contain many vitamins and minerals. But that’s not why they were popular in ancient times, no that was because they make great wine. That’s still true today but as with all plants the flavour, health and yield can be improved upon with companion planting. What To Companion Plant With Grape Vines There… → Read More

The History Of Companion Planting

Companion planting is not a new concept, some people say it started in the 1970s with the rise of the organic movement. It’s true, there was a resurgence of using plants in various combinations to assist growing or protecting crops during the ’70s, but the history of companion planting stretches way beyond last century. The History Of Companion Planting Having looked into the history of companion planting for quite a while now, I can honestly say that companion planting is at least 2000 years old and possibly much older. The ancient Greeks and Romans both practised a form of companion… → Read More

Companion Planting Apricots

Not necessarily something you’d expect to grow in the colder climes of the United Kingdom, but apricots can and are growing in Essex at least. As with most plants, conditions can be improved by companion planting. So in this post companion planting apricots I’ll expand on what will help get the best from your apricot. Companion Planting Apricots In the United Kingdom Apricots do best in South facing gardens. As apricots are self fertile there is no problem growing single trees. Sheltering Trees From Cold Shelter apricot trees with hedging or a wicker fence to protect from winds. If severe… → Read More