Healthy Garden Hack - Companion Planting

03 Dec, 2024

Have you ever heard of companion planting? It’s a technique that involves growing different plants together in ways that benefit each other, whether by deterring pests or attracting pollinators!

Companion planting offers a range of benefits that help you cultivate a healthy, thriving garden. Let’s dive into the secrets of this age-old gardening technique. Certain plants have natural properties that deter specific pests, and pairing them together can be a fantastic alternative to spraying. Garlic and marigolds, for example, are excellent for deterring aphids, while basil and lavender work well to keep mosquitoes at bay.


Companion planting can also be a great way of attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. Plant bee-friendly blooms such as lavender, echinacea and cosmos to bring pollinators to your garden, increasing cross-pollination and in turn boosting your fruit yields. Just make sure your bee-friendly plants bloom at the same time as your fruit and veggie plants for maximum benefit.


Another benefit of companion planting is that some plants can improve the growing conditions of those around them. Plant strategically to provide shade, suppress weeds, or even enrich the soil with nutrients, giving neighbouring plants a better chance to grow well. Finally, sacrificial crops can be a clever way to divert pests away from your main harvest. By planting decoy crops that pests prefer, you help keep your valuable crops untouched. Just be sure to plant sacrificial crops slightly ahead of your main crop!



Our Top Varieties

Marigolds

Marigolds are one of the ultimate companion plants. They repel a variety of harmful insects, including aphids, beetles and nematodes. They are hardy, easy to grow and their bright blooms also attract pollinators. Plant marigolds as a companion plant for tomatoes, beans and carrots.

Alyssum

Alyssum is a small, low-growing plant that attracts a range of beneficial insects, including bees and ladybirds. Its dense groundcover is effective at suppressing weeds and makes a lovely, colourful border for garden beds. Plant with veggies like lettuce and broccoli.

Basil

Plant basil to repel common garden pests such as aphids, mosquitoes and whitefly. Basil is a perfect companion for tomatoes; not only do they complement each other taste-wise, but basil can also help improve the flavour of tomatoes grown nearby

Sage

Sage is a versatile herb with a strong scent which acts as a natural insect deterrent. It’s pretty low-maintenance once established, making it the ideal low effort companion plant. We recommend planting sage with brassicas, carrots and tomatoes.

Grow well with planting essentials

Share this post