If you haven’t heard of companion planting, it is a very efficient and effective way of improving your vegetable patch for next year. Companion planting entails including a mix of flowers and herbs in amongst your vegetables to help enrich the soil, deter unwanted pests and attract pollinators.

The Top Six Companion Plants

Borage- is a pollinator attracting herb that has edible flowers and leaves (good for salads, or iced beverages) and is best used for tomatoes, strawberries and squash.

Marigolds- are an excellent pest deterrent (above and below ground) and are also edible, typically used in salads and dressings.

Nasturtium- deter pests, are an edible garnish or salad addition with a peppery flavour and are best when paired with cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, carrots, radishes, potatoes, and brassicas.

Calendula- have edible flower petals and attract pollinators and “good” bugs like green lacewings and ladybugs. Its sticky sap can trap unwanted pests like white flies, thrips and aphids.

Lavender- is an excellent culinary herb which repels deer and cabbage moths but is very attractive to pollinators.

Sunflowers- are not only beautiful but excellent at attracting pollinators.

By utilising this technique, you should not only see less pests but also find that more bees and butterflies frequent your vegetable patch.