Hi folks, at the back end of last year, i went a bit mad in Wilkinson's where they were selling seeds off really cheap. I got hold of loads of flower seeds, and wondered if i have any that would be good for companion planting? the list is long, so what do you guys plant with what, if you get what i mean? PS, I've got loads of marigolds on the go. :) :) :)
Well..
Lupins = fill up gaps in beds and borders among the taller veg...
Tagettes (T.patula French Marigold) = near all veg, fruit bushes and paths as pest deterrent...keeps whitefly out of greenhouse...
(Mexican, T. minuta)= same as French but it the most effective of the Tagettes, it also overwhelms weeds.
Sunflowers = Intercropping sweetcorn with sunflowers increases yields of both
Poached egg plant you can sow where ever you have gaps or bare soil...under hedges/fruit bushes..to feed beneficial insects...
Just some of the most common ones...
Almost any of your flowers have some benefit in one form or other..just keep sowing..
It is always better to have any spare soil covered with something usefull for you or for other "creepy crawlies" than leave soil "empty" where weeds can settle in can be wonderful hosts for pest and deceases.. ;)
all of the above plus sweet peas with the beans, to bring in the bees..nasturtiums to encourage the blackfly away from the crops and all the herbs left to flower to encourage the goodies and look nice ;D
plus some phacelia and borage, good green manure when the insects have finished with it
I think i have all the flowers that you mention, ( i did say i went a bit mad ) so would you sow flowers straight into position, or plant as plugs from greenhouse? :) :) :)
All but poached egg plants I would start in pots/containers.
With poached eggs, just rake the ground surface and scatter the seeds, water in..and that's it..they will do rest of it...and the best time to do it..anytime now.. ;D
Cheers Goodlife, i love this time of year, theres so much just waiting to be done.
:)