Companion Planting: How to Grow Plants Together for a Healthier Allotment
Companion planting is a natural way to improve plant health, deter pests, and increase yields by growing certain plants together. Understanding which crops support each other can help you make the most of your allotment space.
Benefits of Companion Planting
- Pest Control – Some plants deter pests, reducing the need for chemical sprays.
- Improved Growth – Certain combinations enhance growth by providing shade, support, or nutrients.
- Better Pollination – Flowers attract beneficial insects that improve crop pollination.
- Weed Suppression – Some plants spread quickly to prevent weed growth.
Best Companion Planting Combinations
Vegetables & Herbs That Grow Well Together
- Carrots & Onions – Onions repel carrot fly, while carrots deter onion fly.
- Tomatoes & Basil – Basil improves the flavour of tomatoes and repels aphids and whiteflies.
- Lettuce & Radishes – Radishes mature quickly and help break up the soil for lettuce roots.
- Beans & Sweetcorn – Beans fix nitrogen into the soil, which benefits sweetcorn’s growth.
- Cabbage & Dill – Dill attracts beneficial insects that prey on cabbage pests.
- Courgettes & Nasturtiums – Nasturtiums act as a sacrificial crop, drawing aphids away from courgettes.
Plants to Avoid Growing Together
Some plants compete for nutrients, attract pests, or hinder growth when planted nearby.
- Carrots & Dill – Dill can stunt carrot growth and attract harmful insects.
- Potatoes & Tomatoes – Both are from the same family and can spread blight between them.
- Beans & Onions – Onions release compounds that inhibit bean growth.
- Brassicas & Strawberries – Strawberries can encourage fungal diseases that affect brassicas.
Companion Planting for Pest Control
Some flowers and herbs can repel pests and protect your crops naturally.
- Marigolds – Repel whiteflies, aphids, and nematodes; good for tomatoes and beans.
- Chives & Garlic – Deter aphids, carrot fly, and cabbage moths.
- Lavender – Attracts bees and repels moths and fleas.
- Borage – Beneficial for strawberries and attracts pollinators.
Tips for Successful Companion Planting
- Plan Your Layout – Group beneficial plants together to maximise their effects.
- Use Sacrificial Plants – Some plants attract pests away from key crops.
- Encourage Pollinators – Flowers like calendula and nasturtiums bring bees and butterflies.
- Rotate Crops – Change plant locations each season to maintain soil health.
By using companion planting, you can create a healthier, more productive allotment while reducing reliance on pesticides and fertilisers. Experiment with different combinations and observe what works best for your plot.
