Companion Planting

What is companion planting?

It is planting in groups that are mutually beneficial, helps pollination and protects crops against insects and disease

Advice from Thompson and Morgan

Avoid planting in rows

Planting in rows makes it easier for for disease and pests to find their favourite plant

Intercropping

Sow fast growing crops such as lettuce and radish between widely spaced slow growing crops. This helps utilise space and reduces the amount of weeding!

Herbs

Most herbs have strongly scented leaves that help repel insects. Plant them throughout your plot

Chives

Insect and bird friendly crops

Will attract natural predators: birds which eat slugs and hoverflies which eat aphids

Marigolds and Asparagus

Use tall plants

Peas and sweet corn can be used to protect plants prone to bolting such as coriander, spinach and lettuce.