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The companion planting guide

The trend of “companion planting” is all about growing plants together that are mutually beneficial to their health. We’ve spoken about why you should be companion planting in your garden so now here’s a guideline for which plants work well together and which don’t. Remember companion planting isn’t a cure-all solution and it’s not the same for everyone, everywhere. You will need to experiment to find what works best in your garden.

Asparagus

Good companions: Apricot, basil, chives, comfrey, lovage, Marjoram, parsley, tomatoes

Bad companions: Garlic, potatoes, onions

Why: Basil and parsley are believed to improve flavour. Onions and garlic release substances reducing growth.

Beans

Good companions: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, corn, lettuce, lovage, Majoram, Parsley

Bad companions: Beetroot, chives, garlic, gladiolus, onions, sunflower

Beetroot

Good companions: Beans (bush), broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kohl rabi, lettuce, lovage, Marjoram, onion, peas, potato, spinach, silverbeet

Bad companions: Beans (climbing), tomato

Why: The bad companions’ roots release substances reducing growth

Brassicas (including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower)

Good companions: Beans, beetroot, carrots, chamomile, coriander, cucumber, dill, lettuce, lovage, Marjoram, Marigold (French), mint, nasturtium, onion, pea, potato, rosemary, sage, tansy, thyme, tomato, zinnias

Bad companions: Garlic, rue, strawberries,

Why: Thyme, nasturtiums, and onion showed good resistance to cabbageworm, weevil and cabbage looper.

Carrots

Good companions: Beans, chives, coriander, cucumber, leeks, lettuce, lovage, marjoram, onion, pea, radish, rosemary, sage, tomato

Bad companions: Dill, celery, parsnip, radish

Why: Beans provide the nitrogen carrots need more than some other vegetables. Aromatic companion plants repel carrot fly.

Celery

Good companions: Cabbage, chives, dill, dwarf beans, leek, lovage, majoram, onion, pea, sage, spinach, tomato

Bad companions: Carrots, parsnip, potato, corn

Why: Bad roots release substances reducing growth

Chives

Good companions: Apples, cucumbers, lettuce, peas

Bad companions: Beans, peas

Why: Prevents apple scab and it’s said to deter aphids

Cucumber

Good companions: Basil, bens, borage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, corn, dill kohl rabi, lettuce, lovage, marjoram, nasturtium, parsnip, pea, radish, sunflower, tansy

Bad companions: Potato, sage, aromatic herbs

Garlic

Good companions: Apricot, cherry, mulberry, parsnip, peach, pear, raspberry, rosemary, rose

Bad companions: Beans, cabbage, peas, strawberry

Why: Deters aphids, especially from roses and raspberry. Repels cabbage white butterfly

Lettuce

Good companions: Achillea, beans, beetroot, cabbage, carrot, chervil, coreopsis, cucumber, lovage, marjoram, marigold, onion, parsnip, pea, radish, strawberry, zinnia

Bad companions: Parsley, celery, cabbage

Why: Achillea, coreopsis and zinnia attract pollinators and offer shade for lettuce

Onion

Good companions: Beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, chamomile, leeks, lettuce, lovage, marjoram, parsley, parsnip, silverbeet, strawberry, summer savory, tomato

Bad companions: Asparagus, beans, gladioli, peas

Why: Smell of onion said to deter numerous pests.

Peas

Good companions: Beans, beetroot, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, lettuce, lovage, marjoram, parsnip, potato, radish, sage, squash, sweet corn

Bad companions: garlic, onion, shallots

Potato

Good companions: Beans, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, corn, eggplant, horseradish, lovage, marjoram, marigold (french), nasturtium, parsnip, peas, sweet alyssum, sweet corn, watermelon

Bad companions: Apple, celery, cherry, cucumber, pumpkin, raspberry, rosemary, squash, sunflower, tomato

Pumpkin

Good companions: Beans, cabbage, eggplant, peas, radish, sweet corn

Bad companions: Potato

Tomato

Good companions: Asparagus, basil, celery, borage, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chives, dill, gooseberry, grape, hyssop, lovage, mariglod, marjoram, mint, nasturtium, onion, parsley, parsnip, turnip

Bad companions: Apricots, beetroot, fennel, kohl rabi, potato, rosemary, sweet corn

Why: Marigolds said to repel white fly and root knot nematode.

Related links:

10 famous gardening quotes we love

5 natural fertilisers that can be found in your house

Over60 community gardeners’ top tips

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gardening, plants, guide, companion