Big question - does it work??
Honestly, I am unsure but, (there is always a but) what I do know is the extra colour in the garden attracts different insects and bio-diversity is a great thing. You will always find plants which repel insects that feast on other plants I have a list on the website. One thing also to be aware of is that we do not seems to have enough blue plants in our gardens and that is my excuse for growing Borage which I use in compost and the flowers in my salads.
Ohhhh what’s that you’re saying??? “It works in Europe!” Well yes it does but that is Europe and or the U.S.A. not Australia and that makes a difference for one reason we have different pests and predators and who knows they may even eat different things or eat at different times prefer different habitats, due to evolving here. Do I hear some scepticism there??? Well Australia and New Zealand have only female aphids, the males died when being transported out from Europe. Hence companion planting to disrupt the mating habits of aphids is a waste of time. Another example is Codling Moth, in Europe Codling moth, because of severe cold, have only one generation, but here where it is warmer they can have 3 generations in one summer.
What I strongly suggest is that you keep a Garden Dairy, and note down your own observations for what works and what has not. These diaries are an invaluable source of information for you next season and thereafter. I find it impossible to keep all my notes in my head. Now that maybe because I am getting ummmm older but I will not admit to it.
This is the companion planting guide I use, try it and see and let me know if it works or not.
Plant
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Likes to be with
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Action
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Not good company
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| Apple | Clover, Chive, Garlic, Leek, Nasturtium, Southernwood, Daffodils, Comfrey | Nasturtium climbs tree and is said to repel codling moth | Potatoes |
| Apricot | Basil, Tansy, Asparagus | Basil and tansy are said to repel damaging insects | Capsicums, should not be grown near apricot trees because a fungus that the pepper is prone to can cause a lot of harm to the tree. |
| Asparagus | Apricot, Basil, Chives, Comfrey, Lovage, Marjoram, Parsley, Tomatoes | Basil and Parsley are said to improve flavour. Onions and garlic release substances reducing growth. | Onions, garlic and potatoes |
| Balm (Lemon) | Tomatoes | Attracts bees, said to enhance flavour and growth | Vacant ground - it is very invasive, so keep it contained. |
| Basil | Tomatoes | Basil said to repel flies and mosquitoes | Do not plant near rue or sage |
| Beans (climbing) | Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Corn, Lettuce, Lovage, Majoram, Parsley | Hosts nitrogen-fixing bacteria, a good fertilizer for some plants, too much for others | Beetroot, Chives, Garlic, Gladiolus, Onions, Sunflower |
| Beetroot | Beans (bush), Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kohl Rabi, Lettuce, Lovage, Marjoram, Onion, Peas, Potato, Spinach, Silverbeet | Bad Neighbours roots release substances reducing growth | Beans (Climbing), Tomato |
| Borage | Almost everything, especially strawberry, cucurbits (cucumber, gourds), tomatoes and cabbage | Said to deter tomato worm and improve tomato flavour and yield. Said to increase strawberry yield. | Is a friend to all. |
| Brassicas (Incl: Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower) | Beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Chamomile, Coriander, Cucumber, Dill, Lettuce, Lovage, Marjoram, Marigold (French), Mint, Nasturtium, Pea, Potato, Rosemary, Sage, Tansy, Thyme, Zinnias | Dill attracts a Cabbage White Butterfly controlling wasp. Nasturtium disguises and repels aphids. Sage repels the Cabbage White Butterfly. Zinnias attract ladybirds, which we love! Bad Neighbours roots release substances reducing growth | Garlic, Rue, Strawberry, Mustards, Nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, etc) |
| Capsicum, Chilli | Asparagus, Basil, Eggplant, Rhubarb, Lettuce, Parsley, Silver Beet, Spinach | Pepper plants like high humidity, which can be helped along by planting with some kind of dense-leaf or ground-cover companion, like marjoram and basil; they also need direct sunlight, but their fruit can be harmed by it...pepper plants grown together, or with tomatoes, can shelter the fruit from sunlight, and raises the humidity level. | Apricots, Beans, Kale Tomato,(cabbage, brussels sprouts, etc) |
| Carrots | Beans, Chives, Coriander, Cucumber, Leeks, Lettuce, Lovage, Marjoram, Onion, Pea, Radish, Rosemary, Sage, Tomato | Bad Neighbours roots release substances reducing growth | Dill, Celery |
| Celery | Cabbage, Chives, Dill, Dwarf Beans, Leek, Lovage, Majoram, Onion, Pea, Sage, Spinach, Tomato | Bad Neighbours roots release substances reducing growth | Carrots, Parsnip, Potato |
| Chamomile | Cabbage, Onion, Other Herbs | Deters flies and mosquitoes. Strengthens neighbouring plants | Growing near herbs will increase their oil production. |
| Chives | Apples, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Peas | Prevents Apple Scab. Said to deter aphids | Beans |
| Cucumber | Basil, Bens, Borage, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Corn, Dill Kohl Rabi, Lettuce, Lovage, Marjoram, Nasturtium, Parsnip, Pea, Radish, Sunflower, Tansy | Bad Neighbours roots release substances reducing growth | Potato, Sage, Strongly Aromatic Herbs |
| Dill | Brassicas (Incl: Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower) | Dill attracts a Cabbage White Butterfly controlling wasp | Carrots, Tomatoes One of the few plants said to grow with fennel |
| Eggplant | Amaranth, Beans, Peas, Peppers, Spinach, Tarragon, Thyme and Marigold. | Benifits by being planted near flowers to encourage Bees. | Apricot, Beans, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Corn, Broccoli or Brussels sprouts. |
| Garlic | Apricot, Cherry, Mulberry, Parsnip, Peach, Pear, Raspberry, Rosemary, Rose | Deters aphids, especially from roses and raspberry. Repels Cabbage White Butterfly | Beans, Cabbage, Peas, Strawberry |
| Kohl Rabi | Beetroot, Onion, Cucumber, Mint, Oregano, Sage, Chives and Thyme | Pole Beans, Pepper, Strawberry or Tomatoes | |
| Leek | Apples, Carrot, Celery, Lovage, Majoram, Onion, Parsnip, Strawberry | Same companion traits as all alliums (onions, garlic, shallots, chives, etc)Beans, Peas, Parsley | |
| Lettuce | Achillea, Beans, Beetroot, Cabbage, Carrot, Chervil, Coreopsis, Cucumber, Lovage, Marjoram, Marigold (French), Onion, Parsnip, Pea, Radish, Strawberry, Zinnia | Achillea, Coreopsis & Zinnia attract pollinators and offer shade for lettuce | Parsley |
| Marigolds (French) | Most plants, especially Tomatoes and Peppers, Cucurbits (Cucumbers, Gourds, Squash), Brassicas (Broccoli, Kale, Cabbage) | Kills root knot nematodes and eel worm | Marigolds are a wonder-drug of the companion plant world, invoking the saying "plant them everywhere in your garden". French marigolds produce a pesticidal chemical from their roots, so strong it lasts years after they are gone. Mexican marigolds do the same, but are so strong they will inhibit the growth of some more tender herbs. Certain Varieties of marigolds (Tagetes) can help manage eelworms (Root-knot nematode) when planted the year before |
| Melon | Corn, Pumpkin, Radish and Squash | Melon leaves are full of calcium, so they’re good for the compost heap. | Potatoes. |
| Mint | Cabbage, Tomato | Deters pests such as Cabbage White Butterfly, ants, aphids and fleas. Attracts earthworms, hoverflies and predatory wasps. | Parsley. Invasive, so it may be better to use cut mint as a mulch around Brassicas, or contain it well. |
| Nasturtium | Cabbages, Fruit Trees, Radishes, Zucchini Brassicas, cucumbers, melons, radishes, and tomatoes | Flowers trap crop for aphids and codling moth. Cabbage white butterfly is attracted to this plant, and will seek it out over cabbages. Deter whiteflies, cucumber beetles, and attract predatory insects | |
| Onion | Beetroot, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Chamomile, Leeks, Lettuce, Lovage, Marjoram, Parsley, Parsnip, Silverbeet, Strawberry, Summer Savory, Tomato | Smell of onion said to deter numerous pests. Onions release substances reducing growth of Bad Neighbours | Asparagus, Beans, Gladioli, Peas |
| Parsley | Asparagus, Sweet Corn, Tomato | Said to improve flavour of asparagus and tomato | |
| Peas | Beans, Beetroot, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Cucumber, Lettuce, Lovage, Marjoram, Parsnip, Potato, Radish, Sage, Squash, Sweet Corn | Bad Neighbours roots release substances reducing growth. Sweet Corn has traditionally been used as “living stakes” for peas | Chives, Garlic, Onion, Shallots |
| Potato | Beans, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Corn, Eggplant, Horseradish, Lovage, Marjoram, Marigold (French), Nasturtium, Parsnip, Peas, Sweet Alyssum, Sweet Corn, Watermelon | Sweet Alyssum and Marigolds attract beneficials and suppress weedsPotatoes release substances reducing growth of Bad Neighbours. Horseradish should be planted at the corners of the patch | Apple, Celery, Cherry, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Raspberry, Rosemary, Squash, Sunflower, Tomato |
| Pumpkin | Beans, Cabbage, Eggplant, Peas, Radish, Sweet Corn | Bad Neighbours roots release substances reducing growth | Potato |
| Radish | Beans, Carrot, Chervil, Cucumber, Sweet Corn, Cucumber, Lettuce, Lovage, Marjoram, Nasturtium, Parsnip, Pea, Spinach, Sweet Corn | Radish is said to attract leaf miners from Spinach | Hyssop |
| Raspberry | Blackberries, Potato, Tomato | ||
| Rosemary | Beans, Cabbage, Carrot, Sage | Said to deter Cabbage white butterfly. Attracts beneficials | |
| Sage | Brassicas (Incl: Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower), Carrot, Rosemary | Sage repels the Cabbage White Butterfly | Cucumber |
| Silverbeet | Beetroot, Cherry, Lavender, Lovage, Marjoram, Onion | Basil, Wormwood | |
| Spinach | Celery, Eggplant, Strawberries | ||
| Squash | Borage, Lovage, Marjoram, Nasturtium, Peas, Sunflower, Sweet Corn, Tansy | Potato | |
| Strawberry | Beans, Borage, Chives, Leek, Lettuce, Marigold (French), Onion, Pyrethrum, Sage, Spinach | Brassicas (Incl: Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower), Brussel Sprouts, Garlic | |
| Sunflower | Apricots, Cucumbers, Squash | Beans, Potato | |
| Sweet Corn | Beans, Cucumbers, Lovage, Marjoram, Melon, Parsnip, Peas, Potato, Pumpkin, Radish, Squash, Zucchini | Sweet Corn has traditionally been used as “living stakes” for peas. Bad Neighbours roots release substances reducing growth | Cabbage |
| Tomato | Asparagus, Basil, Celery, Borage, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Chives, Dill, Gooseberry, Grape, Hyssop, Lovage, Mariglod (French), Marjoram, Mint, Nasturtium, Onion, Parsley, Parsnip, Turnip | Marigolds said to repel white fly and root knot nematode. Bad Neighbours roots release substances reducing growth | Apricots, Beetroot, Fennel, Kohl Rabi, Potato, Rosemary, Sweet Corn |
| Turnip | Cucumbers, Lettuce, Nasturtium, Peas, Tomato, Mint | Potatoes, Radishes or other root vegetables | |
| Watermelon | Corn, Nasturtiums, Peas, Sunflowers, Squash, Cucumbers, Pumpkins, Radishes, Potato | ||
| Yarrow | Most aromatic herbs | When planted along pathways, is said to enhance essential oil production and herb flavour. Great for compost. | |
| Zucchini | Lovage, Marjoram, Nasturtium, Sweet Corn |
