Tag Archives: squash

Companion Planting Chamomile

This strongly scented herb is considered a weed by many gardeners, but is in fact a useful ally in the organic garden. There are 2 varieties and we’ll look at both in this post. By companion planting chamomile, you will reap many benefits, and attract beneficial insects to your garden. What Are The 2 Common Types Of Chamomile? The 2 most common types of chamomile are German chamomile (matricaria chamomilla) and Roman chamomile (anthemis nobilis). Both prefer full sun or partial shade, and both are used for teas and ointments. There are certain differences as we will see, and it’s… → Read More

Companion Planting Cucumbers

There are not many plants that don’t benefit from companion planting, which is another way of saying inter cropping. By companion planting cucumbers you will get less plant damage, healthier plants, and heavier crops. How Does Companion Planting Cucumbers Work? In some cases companion planting works by saving space, growing two or more plants that have the same requirements allows them all to grow successfully. Some plants will deter pests away from your cucumber plants, and some will attract beneficial pollinators. Whilst others will actually improve the health of your plants. Companion Planting Cucumbers Let’s get started with the good… → Read More

Companion Planting Brussels Sprouts

A native vegetable from Europe, the Brussels sprout has been grown since at least the middle ages. It is thought to have been developed from cottagers kale, and is a hardy vegetable, able to withstand harsh winters. Companion planting Brussels sprouts with other plants will help you grow healthier plants. Companion Planting Brussels Sprouts Along with other members of the brassica family, Brussels sprouts do well growing in companion with many other plants. This not only saves space, but also can enhance the health of both plants. So let’s get into the best companion plants for Brussels sprouts. Good Companion… → Read More

Companion Planting Brassicas

All plants growing in the wild, grow in companion to other plants, so it’s ok to do this in your garden. However, there are some plants that do better with others, and some that will be problematic. Companion planting brassicas will give your brassica plants the best companions, and show you what not to grow with brassicas. What Are Brassicas? In easy terms, brassicas are all members of the cabbage family, and so members include:- Cabbage Cauliflowers Broccoli Calabrese Kale Brussel Sprouts Collard Greens There are also some members of the brassica family that might surprise you, like Turnips Kohlrabi… → Read More

What Not To Grow With Walnut Trees

For nearly 2,000 years there has been documented evidence of what not to grow with walnut trees. Pliny the Elder, the famous historian wrote “The shadow of the walnut tree is poison to all plants within its compass”. This allelopathic property is a toxin that helps to preserve the walnut tree from competitors. Back in the 1800s scientists discovered the compound juglone was responsible for killing near by plants. This compound is found in the leaves, branches, fruits, and is also excreted from the roots. Not all plants are bothered by juglone, but those that are will suffer from yellowing… → Read More

Companion Planting Sweet Potatoes

Despite their name, sweet potatoes are not really potatoes at all, they are in fact members of the same family as morning glory and bindweed. The leaves and tubers of sweet potatoes are edible and they are relatively easy to grow. Companion planting sweet potatoes not only saves space but can also be beneficial to both plants. Unlike conventional potatoes, sweet potatoes do not grow from a tuber, but from the roots of a “slip”. A slip is a small plant with roots that can be purchased from all good suppliers. Alternatively you can grow your own from shop bought… → Read More

Vegtrug Planting Guide

If you’ve been following my posts for a while you’ll probably be aware that I had a brain bleed a few years ago. What I haven’t told you is last year I had a quintuple heart by-pass and it’s left me very weak. I can’t manage my allotment so my son set me up a vegtrug and here’s my vegtrug planting guide. We went for the medium vegtrug which is actually the largest one they do? It’s 1.8 metres (6 foot) long, 76 cms (30 inches) wide and 80 cms (31.5 inches) high. That’s an area roughly 6 foot by… → Read More

Companion Planting Cosmos

With their bright, open, daisy like flowers and fern like leaves, cosmos are a welcome sight in any garden. They also work well in the vegetable garden. By companion planting cosmos with your vegetables you will grow healthier food and have a pretty display. Unlike some flowers that have many beneficial effects on their neighbours, the main claim to fame for cosmos is they attract aphids. The knock on effect of this is they also attract hoverflies and more importantly hoverfly larvae. Hoverflies are great pollinators, and their larvae are voracious consumers of aphids. Companion Planting Cosmos Any plant that… → Read More

Nasturtium Companion Plants

Such useful plants, nasturtium leaves, flowers, and seeds can be used to give a peppery kick to salads and garnishes. But there is so much more to this colourful plant,using nasturtiums as companion plants bring many benefits. Read on for all you need to know about using nasturtium companion plants. Nasturtium Benefits Aside from their nutritious benefits, nasturtiums are of considerable benefit in the vegetable garden. They attract pollinating insects like bees, butterflies, and hoverflies to your garden. They also attract aphids and cabbage white butterflies which can cause serious damage to your crops. Grow nasturtiums as sacrificial plants to… → Read More

Radish Companion Planting

Such a small and often thought insignificant plant, the radish is a very useful companion plant. Radish companion planting is all about continuity, one of the fastest growing plants that I know of, from seed to table in 6 weeks. Sow every month for a near constant supply of these tasty salad vegetables. It’s worth remembering that radishes are members of the brassica family and need to be rotated with other crops accordingly. Having said that, they make a good catch crop between rows and as markers for slower developing seeds. Radish Companion Plants There are two main companions to… → Read More