Companion Planting at Your Allotment
Companion planting is a term used for planting vegetables and flowers/plants together that will be beneficial for the others' growth. It may be that one will deter certain pests that will likely eat the leaves of the other. They may help with pollination and to fight disease. Some will help to attract pollinators. Likewise, there are plants that should not be planted together as it could result in a poor crop and be detrimental to it's growth.
In a nutshell, its an organic method of balancing nature to maximise it's effectiveness and can also be space saving when plants are grown together. You may also be interested in our Container Growing and Vertical Growing for other space-saving ideas. Some companion plants can be planted together in the same bed, some will benefit from being close by or bordering the bed.
Of course, you are not limited to vegetables and herbs. Flowers too, offer their benefits as well as colour and pollination.
Also see our Crop Rotation page. Here we have put together some good companions as well as 'enemies'.
Growing 'Friends'
Asparagus and Tomatoes
Brassicas and Sage
Beans and Sweetcorn
Beetroot and Chard, Spinach, Lettuce and Brassicas
Broad beans and Summer Savory
Broccoli and Brassicas, Beetroot, Celery, Cucumber, Onions (Alliums)
Brussels Sprouts and Brassicas, Beetroot, Celery, Cucumber, Onions (Alliums)
Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kale and Mint, Nasturtium
Carrots and Leeks, Mint or Spring Onions
Celeriac and Onions, Radishes, Lettuce, Leeks
Chard and Beetroot, Lettuce, Onions, Brassicas, Beans, Celery
Chives and Chrysanthemums
Courgette and Calendula
Cucumbers and Tomatoes, Lettuce, Beans, Peas
Garlic and Roses
Kale and Beetroot, Lettuce, Brassicas, Onions, Celery
Lettuce and Radishes, Brassicas, Onions
Onion and Mint
Parsnips and other Root Veg and Onions
Radish and Mint
Roses and Chives, Garlic, Mint, Thyme
Runner beans and Nasturtium or Sweet Peas
Squash and Sweetcorn, Beans, Radishes
Sunflowers and Chives
Tomatoes and Basil, Chives, Marigolds, Mint
Growing 'Enemies'
Beans and Onions (Alliums)
Beetroot and Runner Beans
Broccoli and Tomatoes, Peppers, Squashes, Courgettes
Brussels Sprouts and Tomatoes, Peppers, Squashes, Courgettes
Cabbage and Tomatoes, Peppers, Squashes, Courgettes
Carrots and Potatoes
Cauliflower and Tomatoes, Peppers, Squashes, Courgettes
Celeriac and Celery (not immediately close)
Celery and Celeriac (not immediately close)
Chard and Potatoes, Sweetcorn, Cucumbers, Courgettes, Squashes
Garlic and Legumes
Kale and Tomatoes, Peppers, Squashes, Courgettes
Leeks and Legumes
Onions and Legumes
Parsnips and Potatoes, Carrots
Peas and Onions
Peppers and Brassicas, Potatoes
Potatoes and Brassicas, Parsnips, Tomatoes, Peppers, Courgettes, Squashes, Carrots
Spinach and Potatoes
Sweetcorn and Tomatoes
Tomatoes and Brassicas, Potatoes, Sweetcorn
Plant Benefits
Basil improves peppers' productivity and enhances flavour with tomatoes, lettuce and peppers
Beans release nitrogen into the soil
Chives, Onions, Lavender will attract pollinators
Garlic deters pests with its pungent aroma
Herbs deter pests as well as attract pollinators - See details for individual varieties
Lettuces provide ground cover and water retention
Mint deters pests with its strong aroma
Nasturtiums deter blackfly, Cabbage white butterfly and other pests
Onions, Allium family deter carrot fly and pests due to their pungent smell
Peas release nitrogen into the soil
Radishes deter pests and aphids
Sweetcorn and tall plants can provide shade