Companion Planting
Companion planting means growing plants which are beneficial to each other in close proximity. Examples of this are
French marigolds next to tomato plants will help deter aphids.
Leeks next to carrots will deter the pests that attack them.
Plant garlic as it’s scent will ward off many pests including vampires! Any flowering plants that are strongly scented will disguise the smell of vegetables. It’s the smell that attracts predators such as carrot fly to carrots. Disguise the smell and you can avoid the pests finding them.
It is seen by some as a method of distraction or hiding of the smells. This is important at times of thinning out things like carrots where the uprooting of tiny plants releases minute amounts of the carrot scent which then attracts the pests.
Chives are a pungent plant that can quickly disguise other plants smells.
Another aspect of putting flowers amongst the plants it to attract more bees into the garden. At the moment bees are very much under threat. Colonies of bees are dying and need all the help they can get. The more bee friendly flowers the better. Bees are your friends – they are essential for pollination.
I’ve read that basil is a great companion plant for tomatoes. I am trying this in my greenhouse this year and have got 6 pots of basil on the go. Even if it’s not entirely successful I’ll be able to use the basil on my tomatoes which will be utterly delicious.
You’d rightly assume that herbs have strong scents which can be useful, things like coriander, dill and mint all release essential oil scents as you brush past them. Planting them next to a path is a great idea so each time you move past you’ll find a delicious scent wafting about. You could also try lavender too – although more bulky, it’s an amazing plant that has a perfume scent all of it’s own. You can then use this and dry it for scenting your home.