Companion planting

Brought to you by Jane Byrne, our Kids’ Corner Contributor.

Companion planting for kids - How to create a happy environment for your fruit and veggies

What is companion planting?

Companion planting is using beneficial plants that, when grouped with existing plants, help with pest control. This works for annuals or perennials.

We have just planted tomatoes in the wicking boxes at the school where I work and they are doing really well. But to help create a pest free environment, and to increase flavour and production, our students have been looking at the kind of companion plants that can be added to help create healthier tomato plants.

For the tomatoes we have decided to plant basil, marigolds, sage, nasturtiums, parsley and thyme.

• Basil helps repel flies and mosquitos.

• Garlic, onions and chives have a strong scent which can help repel and deter common garden pests like aphids and spider mites also. They improve soil health and are a natural fungicide.

• Sage helps repel slugs, beetles and spider mites.

• Thyme helps repel white flies (white flies cause damage by sucking sap and can cause yellowing of leaves) and enhances fruit flavour.

• Nasturtiums help to lure aphids away from tomatoes.

• Rosemary, with its strong scent can help repel aphids, spider mite and cabbage moths. We know that insects help pollinate plants, but cabbage moths can be quite brutal to our vegetables. The flowers on the rosemary I believe will attract fabulous pollinators.

You can also plant other seedlings like lettuce, spinach and radishes which will help to reduce and suppress weeds around the bottom of your tomatoes and other vegetables.

Try planting some of these suggestions or Google “Companion Planting” in your browser. There are even charts that you can follow. These plants also make for an even more colourful veggie bed. 

Give it a go and send us your pics!  Email operations@opengardensvictoria.org.au