Companion Planting

[adam-alexander]

Some plants make Good Companions and others Bad Bedfellows.

I thought members might like this Link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants

[Nature's Babe]

I grow my parsley between the asparagus rows and both are flourishing.
Brassicas and nasturtium can work well but my tip would be to choose a short variety of nasturtium or it can be too much of a good thing.

[thetangoman]

Always use complanion planting..this year I have planted some lavenders along my allotment path, plus grew some sweat peas amongst my runner beans , also grew several plants of comfrey around the plot .My beans were better this year.The bees were always busy amongst the beans and around the plot.Also pockest of marigolds is a usefull plant to put amonst the plants.

[solway cropper]

I've tried this over the years with mixed results. Sometimes it seems to work, sometimes it doesn't. I use a lot of block planting rather than rows and this year I had peas next to onions with excellent crops of both. Then I read somewhere that you should never put them next to each other as the onions give off something that peas don't like. Well, my peas don't seem to mind

I suspect this is another one of those things where there is very little empirical evidence one way or the other. Try it and see is all I can say.

[FelixLeiter]

I suspect this is another one of those things where there is very little empirical evidence one way or the other.

Correct. I used to work in horticultural research and it was always known then that no rigorous trials had ever been conducted in companion planting, not a one. I don't believe it is worth anyone's while conducting one. It would have to be conducted over a very long period of time and at the end of it there are too many variables to factor out that I suspect it would be inconclusive. But that doesn't stop old Bob Dewdrop prattling on about it authoritatively.
I'll keep planting flowers amongst my crops, though, because they look nice.

[solway cropper]

I'll keep planting flowers amongst my crops, though, because they look nice.

I'm with you on that one, Felix. I think a mixed garden is always going to be more successful, both visually and productively than monotonous rows.

[thetangoman]

There has been much research done re companion plants...and there is evidence that blue flowers attract bees, therefore any flowers which attract beneficial insects has to be worthwhile, plus can help to keep pests at bay or under natural control
Lavender and Rosemary are very underated and my plot has several plants, and of course these herbs can be used for cooking as well.

[alan refail]

I used to work in horticultural research and it was always known then that no rigorous trials had ever been conducted in companion planting, not a one.

There has been much research done re companion plants

I'm confused; you can't both be right. My suspicion is that most plants are quite happy growing near most other plants. The fact that two crops side by side both do well is not in itself any proof of anything other than good plants and good growing conditions. Is it?

[FelixLeiter]

There has been much research done re companion plants...and there is evidence that blue flowers attract bees, therefore any flowers which attract beneficial insects has to be worthwhile, plus can help to keep pests at bay or under natural control

If there has been research done, then show me the money. I think what you're describing above is attractant planting rather than companion planting, which is quite a different beast.

The fact that two crops side by side both do well is not in itself any proof of anything other than good plants and good growing conditions. Is it?

I should say so. Which is exactly why empirical trials into companion planting will always be inconclusive.

[Geoff]

Just like your diet - a broad mix has got to be best. One of my beds is always Sweet Peas, Broad Beans and Runner Beans for example. It moves every year. I grow flowers for cutting with the vegetables, don't think the Dahlias (all doubles) are of much benefit to anything but they are included. This year the others were Asters and tall Antirrhinums and they seemed to have plenty of insects.

[thetangoman]

Then I guess we will have to agree to disagree..all I know we base many of our theories on ancient and modern methods..evidence is out there of benifical companion plant groups, not only as deterants or pest reducers but also atractants. :
What we have to rememeber is that we have to share our environment with others , and some of them are not always freindly and some are small and crawl and fly....

[MikA]

Found this link that people might like to look at

Sounds like good sense.

edited to correct link

For some reason my version of the link doesn't work so please see Alan Refail's post below

[alan refail]

Hi MikA

I fear your link doesn't work

However a short search got me to this site

http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/

and another search to Professor Chalker-Scott's pages on gardening myths

http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda%20Ch ... index.html

The one your link referred to was, I presume, this one on the myth of companion planting

http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda%20Ch ... plants.pdf

A quote from the end of her article

The Bottom Line
• The phrase “companion plant” is too vague to be useful to plant scientists and professionals;
“intercropping” and “plant associations” are more definable and credible
• Documented benefits from plant associations include physical, chemical, and biological
alterations that can improve the establishment and survival of desired plant species
• Pseudoscientific, mythological and occult applications of “companion plantings” are not
scientific and will damage your credibility as a professional
• Traditional “companion plant” charts have entertainment, not scientific, value

[MikA]

Thanks Alan

it appears you have to have the http:// at the front to make it work.

The other "myths" (such as Bone Meal) she refers to are also worth a look. The only problem I found with her comments is that she likes the scientific method and properly researched claims but occasionally falls into the same trap of making a statement with no supporting references.

[MikA]

I had several Tagetes in small pots on the floor of the greenhouse having read about their use as "companion plants" to keep whitefly away. I can only report that I have had no whitefly in the greenhouse even though the sage and broccoli in the bed just outside have been infested.
Is this an example of a good plant association or just luck. I can't prove it either way.