Companion Planting is a way of managing your allotment by using plants in a complementary way. It is based on the principle that by planting certain plants close together you can use their natural properties to help with pest control and boost growth.

The concept of Companion Planting is not new and is reported in early Greek and Roman writings but with the development of the organic movement and increasing EU regulation withdrawing many pesticides and nutrient products from the marketplace, gardeners and farmers are looking at other ways of controlling pests and diseases and boosting growth.

Companion Planting is considered an eco-friendly approach to gardening. Much of the information is handed down and not supported by scientific assessment. The guidelines are based on traditional methods, which seem to work and are therefore worth trying.

Plants can help each other in different ways

• Providing shelter from the wind
  Hedges can curb the worst excesses of the weather and reduce wind speed.
• Providing shelter from the sun
  Leafy ground cover under certain plants such as clematis keeps roots cool and moist which are ideal growing conditions.
• Root secretions from one plant can help another e.g. other plants can use nitrogen from legumes roots.
• Improving the soil
  Plants use leaves they are about to shed as a dumping grounds for unwanted minerals which then feeds the microlife and thus future crops. Green manure, dug in, improves tilth and binds soil particles together.
• Competing with each other
  Plants may compete with and or directly harm others e.g. Tagetes can smother bindweed.
• Repelling harmful insects / attracting them away from otherplants
  Planting carrots and onions together to confuse their respective flies.
• By supporting insect populations
  Plants increase the number of pollinators, predators and parasites which, in themselves, have tasks to perform. Many plants attract bees and butterflies.
• Repelling other and larger pests
  Plants with thorns and prickles can deter human invaders as well as unwelcome animals. Some plants exude smells repulsive to animals - Elder is said to discourage mice, rabbits and supposed to dislike Onions and root excretions from Euphorbias are considered a possibility as a mole deterrent.
• Attracting birds and other creatures
  Plants may attract birds and other creatures which prey on pests and are generally beneficial. Birds can be encouraged with plants offering perches, shelter and food from fruits and berries. Dense plantings shelter and attract hedgehogs, frogs and toads who eat pests.

Companion Planting is basically about choosing plants that have additional properties and functions beyond simply being ornamental or a food supply and using them in combination with one another. As gardeners, we can be perfect hosts, where possible giving each plant the right type of soil, shelter, aspect and treatment to help it grow and achieve its purpose.