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As I’ve delved deeper into the green-fingered world, I have stumbled upon an idea that intrigues me greatly; the idea that you could choose to grow some plants next to each other and it would mutually benefit them. It could help prevent disease, aid pollination, and keep pest numbers down in the garden. It also provides an effective alternative to pesticides which a lot of gardeners are seeking.
This idea of promoting a natural balance in the garden seems like a brilliant one. Gardens provide us with a harmonious escape from the bustle of everyday life and if the plants are in harmony, the people in the garden must also benefit from the equilibrium and the health of the environment.
Many companion plants are those with strong scents that confuse pests and defer them from attacking their partner plants. Nasturtiums are well known for deterring aphids so if you plant some next to your beans, you will naturally protect them from aphid attack. In terms of choosing which plants should co-exist, the idea does seem to rely on an instinct rather than an exact science, so if you think of a strongly scented plant such as thyme, lavender or garlic then why not grow these alongside roses or carrots to provide the potential balance and benefit.
Other plants use attraction rather than defence and attract beneficial insects such as hoverflies, ladybirds, butterflies and lacewings. Marigolds are a wonderful example of a plant that repels whitefly and attracts those insects that prey on aphids. Plant tomatoes next to your marigolds and you will have a wonderful crop.
It seems I have only just scratched the surface in terms of the possibilities and this area of gardening is certainly one I plan to research and experiment with further.
