Companion planting is designing your garden in a way that harnesses the natural relationships that exist between plants. In simple terms, some plants are good friends and others are not such good friends.

Basic Tips

• Grow friendly plants as close together as possible.
• Smelly plants also smell to and repel the pests.
• Different shape plants can work together, providing shade for smaller plants or a trellis for climbing plants.
• Mix herbs, flowers, and vegetables together to confuse pests.

Examples

• Tomato and basil grow well together, as do beetroot and carrot, mint and potato.
• A South American system that grows well together is mealies, squash/pumpkin, and beans.
• Marigolds, geraniums, lavendar, nasturtiums are good pest repellant flowers.