🌱 Grow Smarter: The Power of Companion Planting

When it comes to growing your own food, keeping pests off your precious crops can be a challenge — especially if you're trying to do it sustainably and without chemicals. That’s where companion planting comes in — a clever, natural way to give your veg the best chance at thriving, its so simple but seems to be something not many people know. Dont worry though we have made it easy for you....

Companion planting is all about growing certain plants side by side to help each other out. Some attract helpful insects, others confuse pests with their strong scents, and a few even improve soil health. It’s like building a team of plant buddies, each with their own job to do!

 Our Favourite Companion Combos:

1. Tomatoes + Basil Not only a dream team in the kitchen, basil helps repel aphids, whitefly, and even tomato hornworms. Plus, it can improve the flavour of your tomatoes. Win-win!

2. Tomatoes + Marigolds These cheerful flowers are your secret weapon — their scent helps deter whitefly and nematodes, keeping your tomatoes (and other crops) safer from damage.

3. Carrots + Spring Onions Carrot root fly hates the smell of onions, and onion fly doesn’t like carrots. Together, they confuse each other’s worst enemies. Perfect harmony in the soil!

4. Courgettes + Nasturtiums Nasturtiums act as a trap crop, luring aphids and blackfly away from your veg. They’re also edible and attract pollinators — what’s not to love?

5. Lettuce + Chives Chives help repel aphids and slugs, while their pretty purple flowers bring in bees. They take up little space, making them great lettuce neighbours.

6. Beans + Sweetcorn Inspired by the ancient “Three Sisters” method, climbing beans use the sweetcorn as natural supports, and their nitrogen-fixing roots improve soil health for all.

Companion planting is a brilliant way to protect your crops, attract beneficial insects, and boost productivity, all without reaching for a single chemical. It's low-cost, eco-friendly, and makes your garden more diverse and resilient.

 Lynne headed out to B& M stores this week for her marigold haul so pests in her garden be warned!

So next time you're sowing or planting out, take a minute to think about what — or who — you could be planting next to your veg. Your garden will thank you and so will the planet