Topic: Companion Planting

[Justy]

Does anyone know of anything (flowers preferably)that likes being planted with raspberries?   My raspberry bed is probably a bit wide so thought I could use some of the space at the front of the bed for something and I really like the whole companion planting idea.

[Bjerreby]

I don't suppose you are trying to ward off anything, but want to attract bees.

I'd plant borage, coriander, and most of all, fiddleneck (Phacelia tancetifolia).

Fiddleneck is a magnet for bees.

[hellohelenhere]

According to my companion planting chart: garlic, pansy, petunia, tagetes (marigold), and yarrow. But then it gives petunia, tagetes and yarrow as companions for almost everything! :)
I got it from here: http://www.gb0063551.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/seeog/companion/
and made an easier-to-handle spreadsheet version - if anyone wants a copy, let me know, but I removed the things I knew I wouldn't grow - like brussel sprouts and scorzanera (?).

[Justy]

The chart is brilliant thank you! 

I have some marigolds germinating on the windowsill at this very moment as I know they seem to go with everything and are so easy to grow. 

The one thing I have  wondered about companion planting though is whether the companion plants compete too much with the fruit and veg?  We have to remove weeds to get rid of the competition and weeds are just plants too so how come things like marigolds are ok?    ???   Nature is a strange thing.

[Justy]

Just having a little look at the chart and specifically looking at peas.  2 of the things that they do not apparently like being near are onions and potatoes.  Guess where my first pea bed is?  Right between a potato bed and onion bed...!    ::)

Oh well at least I will have something to blame it on if they all go horribly wrong!   ;D

p.s they are in separate raised beds about 70 cm apart so maybe that will help.

[Deb P]

Last year I grew nasturtiums under my brassicas and they did brilliantly, but the chart says they do not like broccoli or sprouts, but like cabbages? Oh well.... :-\

I grow borage and calendulas pretty much everywhere, and interestingly put my summer savory next to the beans last year which apparently go well together...pure luck! ;D

[hellohelenhere]

Some more interesting stuff about companion plants:
http://www.ghorganics.com/page2.html

[hellohelenhere]

And here is a fascinating explanation of how companion plants can disrupt the efforts of an egg-laying pest to find a suitable place to lay:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Companion_planting#Host-finding_disruption

[1066]

Thanks for posting those links Helen
I also use Carrots Love Tomatoes by Louise Riotte - loads of useful info about Companion planting
1066

[saddad]

I use that one too...  ;D

[1066]

Yeh the book is a no frills no fuss kind - which makes a quick check or reference really easy as you don't have to wade through tons of blurb
And she recommends Tansys with raspberries

1066