1. Companion Planting
Why does Basil and lettuce
love Tomatoes?

2. Companion planting defined.
• If two plants growing together leads to
benefits for one or both of them then they
can be called companions.
• Companion planting is about introducing
purposeful variety to your garden.
• By combining vegetables, herbs, and
flowers in a single garden you create a
planting which is diverse, attractive and
multifunctional.

3. Plum underplanted with a
variety of companions

4. A mix of observation and experimentation
• Research confirms: that some plant combinations have
benefits unique to those specific combinations,
but it is
Personal observation based on practical experience which
demonstrates how to group certain plants for mutual
benefit in specific settings.
So get out there and give it a go.

5. Useful web resources, there are many useful
guides to be found on the web such as,
• http://deepgreenpermaculture.com/companion
• http://gstuff.co.nz/shop/garden/index.php?main
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion
• htthttp

6. HCompanion planting charts
does it work
Companion planting charts should perhaps
be seen more as guidelines from which to
start some experimenting to see which
plant companions work best in your own
soil and location

7. Source: www.plantsandgardeningtips.com

8. Using companion planting
charts
• Vegetables or fruits • X indicates that the
are listed across the two plants grow well
top of the page. together
• Possible companions • N means they don’t
are listed down the make good
page companions.
• A symbol can be • Remember they are a
found where the 2 guide only ask other
columns intersect gardeners from your
area what works
locally.

9. Companion plants can have
many functions
• Poppies, and
Nasturtiums
Mostly companion planting is used as a pest
control strategy . Combinations of plants are
planted between
planted where some plants repel pests, others trap
the pests and yet others confuse the pests so said to
plants are they
cant find where to dine on your vegetables. aphids;
minimize
• daisies such as
• Different people have different
ideas. asters attract flying
insects, and most
• The best way is to give it a go and
are tough, easy to
see what happens.
grow plants.

10. Companion plants can
• Attract useful
pollinators

11. Some other functions are
• To enhance the • To Improve the
flavour of your growing conditions for
produce plants where some
• To Provide medicinal taller plants provide
uses shelter or shade for
• To Build your soil by crops which like grow
underneath them and,
fixing or mining
nutrients • To Provide colour
beauty and form to
your garden.

12. What to choose
There are many • Borage
combinations of plants you • Basil
can choose as companions • Lavender
for the vegetable you are • Nasturtium
going to plant.
• Chives
Here are just a few you may
want to consider. • Yarrow
•Marigold • Dill
•Calendula • Tansy
•comfrey

13. Marigolds
• The roots of Marigold
give off a substance
which drives away the
eel-worm.
• The flowers attract
beneficial insects and
butterflies

14. Calendula
Has a similar action
to Marigolds, and is
often planted in
combination with
Marigolds.
This plant also has
many medicinal
uses

15. Comfrey
• Rich in N, P, Na so
great when used as a
compost conditioner.
Put some of the
leaves in when you
plant your potatoes to
give them a good
start.
• Makes great liquid
fertiliser- soak in
water for a month
then use.

16. Borage
• Companion plant for
tomatoes, squash,
strawberries
• One of the best bee and
wasp attracting plants
• Adds trace minerals to
the soil and a good
addition the compost pile.
The leaves contain
vitamin C and are rich in
calcium, potassium and
mineral salts

17. Basil
• Scatter it through
your gardens.
• Deters- aphids,
whitefly, fruit flies,
mosquitoes.
• Goes well with
tomatoes.
• A very aromatic
plant

18. Lavender
• Attracts Bees
• But is also an insect
repellent.
• Extensively used in
medicines and the
perfume industry
• Adds real scent and
colour to your garden

19. Nasturtium
• Deters insects
particularly
aphids.
• Edible flowers
great for salads,
sweet cress
flavour
• The leaves and
flowers have
antibiotic
properties

20. Chives
• Improves growth and
flavour of carrots and
tomatoes. A friend to
apples, carrots,
tomatoes, brassicas
(broccoli, cabbage,
mustard, etc) and
many others. Helps to
keep aphids away
from tomatoes, and
sunflowers.

21. Yarrow
• this boosts vigour in other
plants and accumulates
phosphorous, calcium
and silica, which can
benefit homemade
compost when plants are
added to the heap. It
attracts many beneficial
creatures to your garden
such as hoverflies and
ladybirds

22. Dill Flowers
• Provides a great food source for Beneficial's and
is yummy in fish dishes and for combating the
effects of windy colic .

23. Tansy
• Is a good insect
repellent.
• Note it can be
invasive and needs to
be managed.
• Great compost
activator

24. Some plants that will repell
troublsome insects.
• Basil • Geranium
• Borage • Horseradish
• Calendula • Hyssop
• Catnip • Lavender
• Coriander
• Marigold
• Dandelion
• Mint
• Fennel
• • Nasturtium
Flax
• Garlic • Oregano

25. Further Repellent Plants
• Parsley • Sunflower
• Pennyroyal • Tansy
• Radish • Thyme
• Rosemary • Wormwood
• Rue
• Sage

26. What works?
• There is no golden answer, it will come down to
the mix of plants that you enjoy.
• So play with combinations that you like.
• Monitor and note what works in your dairies.
• The key is to not put just one plant in and expect
it to work.
• Concentrate on creating communities of plants.

27. Sources of Information
• http://www.spiritualskyincense.com/companions-
guide.htm
• http://www.ghorganics.com/page2.html
• All slides are courtesy of Mike Beedie

28. Sources of Information
• http://deepgreenpermaculture.com/compa
nion-planting/companion-planting-table/
• http://gstuff.co.nz/shop/garden/index.php?
main_page=page_4
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_compa
nion_plants
• https://attra.ncat.org/attra-
pub/viewhtml.php?id=72