Allotments 4 All

My wife tells me that she heard on the television the other day, that planting borage amongst the broad beans helps to keep off blackfly. Apparently they don't like the smell(according to the packet of seed she has now bought, a bit like cucumber).
I have never heard of this before, although new to allotments and veggie growing, and can find no reference to it in any of my books. Also I would have thought that the borage would dwarf the BBs. Does anybody have an opinion, or actual experience of this?
We are obviously (since she went and bought the seed), going to try it.
Regards Alan

I think it's mentioned in an article about companion planting in March's issue of Organic Gardening
http://www.organicgardeningmagazine.co.uk/
although I can't remember whether or not they said it worked!

it was on Grow Your Own Veg with Carol Klien.  The blind allotmenteer grew borage around hus beans to keep the blackfly off, and he said it had worked a treat.

possibly pure co-incidence, but last year was my first of growing BBs, also my first at growing nasturtiums and borage.

nasturtiums had a few blackfly, the BBs didn't !  Didn't look at the borage.

8)

even if it doesn't work, it's well worth having - nothing attracts bees like borage. The flowers are edible too

I had mine in the infamous black pots.  Will they self sow or should I replace ?

I've one pot left under the hedge looking pretty dead.

Borage I mean, not BBs.

::)

We have borage growing wild all over the place (If you leave it to seed you´ll always have it!!) Its good for the compost so its ok!! BUT we always get blackfly on the broad beans!! I think you must need acres of the stuff for companion planting to work! !!! If you pinch out the tops of the BB you should be ok........

PS ther tops are delicious, a real gormet treat!!

And essential for Pimms No1?

thought that was mint but i'll try anything once.

:P

Quote from: tim on February 06, 2007, 08:18:25
And essential for Pimms No1?

Another good tip!!!! ;D

Can´t see it taking off at wimbeldon though!!!

:)

borage works well with BB,so does bronze fennel in deterring blackfly.

borage flowers (blue and white) look great in salads and in drinks as flower  icecubs / shades x

Broad beans in your Pimms....now that one is a new one on me.


;)

it has merit  ...... of sorts.

;D

I have never seen Blackfly on my Broadbeans in Glasgow.

nor me (in my vast experience).  perhaps they're better trained that the neds.

;D

Quote from: MrsKP on February 06, 2007, 19:28:58
nor me (in my vast experience).  perhaps they're better trained that the neds.

;D

I've just come back from Paisley.

I bet they're scared.... ;)

Lordy !  They let you out ???

:o

Quote from: MrsKP on February 06, 2007, 20:44:32
Lordy !  They let you out ???

:o

They weren't looking...... ;D