Photo: Bees love Rosemary in flower.This week I ventured out of my polythene tunnel and stepped out into the big wide world. Well I made it to Carndonagh anyway. I went over to the organic farm just out of the town to take herb cuttings. The cuttings are going to be grown on and planted in some raised beds that are being built at the Cashel na Cor centre. The idea is to make a raised sensory garden, which will be low maintenance. Other aromatic plants will be included eventually to fill out the spaces. The organic farm, I noticed uses companion planting. I mentioned a bit about this idea last week planting carrots and onions together to confuse the pests. There are many other plants that will thrive next to each other. Like people I suppose, plants benefit by a bit of company
COMPANION PLANTING
There are lots of varieties of herbs, flowers and shrubs that can be used for companion planting. Many plants have natural substances in their roots; flowers and leaves that can either repel unwanted pests or attract beneficial insects such as ladybirds to keep the greenfly at bay. Companion planting can also improve the flavour of your fruit and vegetables, for example if Basil is planted next to tomatoes this improves the growth as well as the flavour. The basil also repels flies.
Below is a list of the more common plants that are effective for companion planting.
PLANT GUIDE
Borage: A good companion plant for tomatoes and strawberries. The plant attracts bees and wasps though so don’t put them too close to where you sit and sunbathe. A good plant for adding minerals to the soil and when it is cut down it is a good addition to the compost heap.
Catnip: This fast growing plant keeps away a large number of pests such as beetles, ants and mice, it smells nice too. Your cat will love you for it!
Chives: These improve the growth and flavour of carrots and tomatoes. Planted among apple trees it is said to prevent scab. A tea made from chives helps to keep downy mildew off cucumbers.
Clover: This plant has long been used as a green manure as it brings up nutrients from deep in the soil, a lot of people spend all summer trying to get it out of their lawns though as it can be invasive.
Comfrey: This plant accumulates calcium, phosphorous and potassium from deep in the soil. Slugs like to hide under the leaves, so you know where to catch them. Mix equal quantities of nettle and comfrey leaves together and add water. Leave for a few days then use the liquid as a very effective plant food, you’ll never need to buy any ever again!
Coriander: Repels aphids, spider mites and potato beetle
Garlic: A spray made from as little as a 6-8% concentration kills greenfly, it also keeps beetles and snails off other plants. It keeps greenfly off roses if it is planted near the bushes.
Lavender: Repels moths and fleas, use dried sprigs in the house to keep the moths out.
Lemon balm: Lemon balm contains citronella which most insects find distasteful, some people use the crushed leaves as a skin rub to keep away insects in summer
Lovage: Improves the flavour and health of most vegetables. It is a large plant and makes an attractive backdrop for the borders. It is similar to celery in flavour.
Marigolds: These are the Calendula types that will self-seed around the garden. They keep the soil free from nematodes and discourage many other pests; the downside is that they attract slugs.
Marjoram: This plant improves the flavour of vegetables
Mint: If you dare plant this invasive plant in your garden you will see the benefits. It improves the health of cabbage and tomatoes, attracts hoverflies and predatory wasps. Cut the plant down and use as mulch around brassica plants to keep pests away. Earthworms are attracted to the plant as well which is good news for a healthy soil.
Rosemary: Companion plant to cabbage, beans, carrots and sage. It deters moths, beetles and flies.
Sage: Use as a companion to broccoli, cauliflower, rosemary, cabbage and carrots. This plant also keeps away moths, beetles and flies. Allowing them to flower attracts many beneficial insects into the garden.
Tarragon: Plant this throughout the garden as not many pests like this plant. It also improves the flavour of vegetables if planted nearby.
Yarrow: Yarrow has insect repelling properties and is an excellent natural fertilizer. A handful of cut leaves speeds up the compost bin. It seems to increase the natural oils in herbs when planted nearby
With a bit of trial and error the plants can be positioned in such a way that the garden will be virtually free of most of the pests and disease that can take over plants and it’s all done without the use of chemicals.
Horticultural.
COMPANION PLANTING
There are lots of varieties of herbs, flowers and shrubs that can be used for companion planting. Many plants have natural substances in their roots; flowers and leaves that can either repel unwanted pests or attract beneficial insects such as ladybirds to keep the greenfly at bay. Companion planting can also improve the flavour of your fruit and vegetables, for example if Basil is planted next to tomatoes this improves the growth as well as the flavour. The basil also repels flies.
Below is a list of the more common plants that are effective for companion planting.
PLANT GUIDE
Borage: A good companion plant for tomatoes and strawberries. The plant attracts bees and wasps though so don’t put them too close to where you sit and sunbathe. A good plant for adding minerals to the soil and when it is cut down it is a good addition to the compost heap.
Catnip: This fast growing plant keeps away a large number of pests such as beetles, ants and mice, it smells nice too. Your cat will love you for it!
Chives: These improve the growth and flavour of carrots and tomatoes. Planted among apple trees it is said to prevent scab. A tea made from chives helps to keep downy mildew off cucumbers.
Clover: This plant has long been used as a green manure as it brings up nutrients from deep in the soil, a lot of people spend all summer trying to get it out of their lawns though as it can be invasive.
Comfrey: This plant accumulates calcium, phosphorous and potassium from deep in the soil. Slugs like to hide under the leaves, so you know where to catch them. Mix equal quantities of nettle and comfrey leaves together and add water. Leave for a few days then use the liquid as a very effective plant food, you’ll never need to buy any ever again!
Coriander: Repels aphids, spider mites and potato beetle
Garlic: A spray made from as little as a 6-8% concentration kills greenfly, it also keeps beetles and snails off other plants. It keeps greenfly off roses if it is planted near the bushes.
Lavender: Repels moths and fleas, use dried sprigs in the house to keep the moths out.
Lemon balm: Lemon balm contains citronella which most insects find distasteful, some people use the crushed leaves as a skin rub to keep away insects in summer
Lovage: Improves the flavour and health of most vegetables. It is a large plant and makes an attractive backdrop for the borders. It is similar to celery in flavour.
Marigolds: These are the Calendula types that will self-seed around the garden. They keep the soil free from nematodes and discourage many other pests; the downside is that they attract slugs.
Marjoram: This plant improves the flavour of vegetables
Mint: If you dare plant this invasive plant in your garden you will see the benefits. It improves the health of cabbage and tomatoes, attracts hoverflies and predatory wasps. Cut the plant down and use as mulch around brassica plants to keep pests away. Earthworms are attracted to the plant as well which is good news for a healthy soil.
Rosemary: Companion plant to cabbage, beans, carrots and sage. It deters moths, beetles and flies.
Sage: Use as a companion to broccoli, cauliflower, rosemary, cabbage and carrots. This plant also keeps away moths, beetles and flies. Allowing them to flower attracts many beneficial insects into the garden.
Tarragon: Plant this throughout the garden as not many pests like this plant. It also improves the flavour of vegetables if planted nearby.
Yarrow: Yarrow has insect repelling properties and is an excellent natural fertilizer. A handful of cut leaves speeds up the compost bin. It seems to increase the natural oils in herbs when planted nearby
With a bit of trial and error the plants can be positioned in such a way that the garden will be virtually free of most of the pests and disease that can take over plants and it’s all done without the use of chemicals.
Horticultural.
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