Welcome to Companion planting in pots, a new way to bring small space gardening to life!

Companion planting has been around since "Adam was a boy." -since humankind first decided to stick seeds in the ground. But our world has changed over the millenia. Many of us now live within four walls and plant in urban gardens. We have a new way of life. Still, we've made many discoveries along with our mistakes at horticulture, and one way of avoiding failure is the discovery of Companion Plantingl.

Yes, Companion Planting evolved over time, being passed down from generation to generation. Unfortunately, with the introduction of chemical sprays, these practices were thrown out the door. But chemicals, though they initally promised so much, are now being more and more recognized for their problems than their benifits. Once again the blessings of Nature's way, Companion Planting, and conservation of the soil's living organisms, is coming to the fore.

A century back, 'monoculture' became the way of the future. Huge areas of  mono-crops were pushed and crowded together to save time, energy and effort. Massive areas of the one plant, so easy to sow, easy to harvest, all so wonderful - until the problems began. Luckily, to this day, a few farmers and gardeners held onto the old ways. They kept the traditions, the 'old knowledge.' This is what we refer to here in - Companion planting.

Companion planting in pots and containers is relatively new, however. But the old, traditional methods are still used. The old is added to the new, together these methods are found to be very applicable to those of us who are limited by space; those of us who live in units, apartments, or townhouses and don't have the opportunity for large-scale growing.

I was introduced to Companion Planting at a little bookstore.  Bought a book- and  studied it. At that time, I ran a little Herb Nursery.  From this nursery I delivered herbs to local restaurants and supermarkets.  I didn’t spray thouse herbs.   Didn't want to risk my health, or the health of the local wildlife. I  just couldn’t justify making a bird or lizard sick simply to gather a little cash. After all, it was the birds and lizards who protected my crops from those munching, leaf-eating insects and snails.

The book I bought was "Basic Companion Planting" by David Bigwood.  This little volume set me off on a new direction.   Certainly I was impressed, influenced - motivated! Yes, I'd use Companion Planing from hereon. As I tested the various plantings, lessening and, eventually, moving away completely from the traditional structured form of mono culture, my crops grew like never before!   They flourished. Moreover, my customers, especially the restauranteurs, loved the new, richer favours produced. Their dishes had never tasted better, they said. And they wanted more. They also enquired to know my secret.  Of course, it is no secret, I told them. It was simply Companion Planting.  I explained Companion Planting.  But as often as not my comments went to ears which weren't really interested. I was dismissed as just another  hippie gardener!

Time passed. I moved on and my herb nursery business dropped away.  Since then, I've been limited like somany other keen gardeners.   I now live in a apartment. That said, I 've now found a way around the problems of limirted space. How?   I do it by growing 'Vertically' and raising 'Mixed Herbs' and Vegetables in the one container!   Yep, that's a form of Companion Planting....Companion Planting in Pots.

Anyway that’s my story. Now, I'd like to share my success.  My hope is that you, too, can pass such success information onto others.   Whether you do or not, I'm sure you'll find Companion Planting truly useful.   

Enjoy!

Below is a list of plants, their likes and dislikes. Many plants that can be placed together  are listed here.  All combinations have been both tested and proven. The general rule is to keep hot and spicy plants away from sweet smelling ones.

Also, as you have these plants in containers and pots, you may like to place them together in one area or just move them around until your find what suits.

Give it a try, and as you see results, you may like to get a discussion going at the bottom of this page!

Basil: Dislikes Rue

Beans: Likes Carrots, leeks, Strawberries and Beetroot.

Beetroot: Likes Beans, lettuce, Onion and Cabbage.

Broccoli: Likes Dill, Celery Sage, Rosemary, Beetroot and Onions, Dislike Tomatoes and Climbing beans.

Cabbage family: Likes Dill, Celery, Sage, Rosemary and Dislikes Tomatoes, Strawberries and Climbing beans.

Carrots: Like Chive, Radish, Lettuce, Tomatoes and Peas.

Cauliflower: Like Celery.

Celery: Leeks, Tomatoes, Cauliflower and Cabbages.

Chives: Likes Parsley

Coriander: Dislikes Fennel

Cucumber: Likes Sunflower, Peas, Beans and Radish. Dislikes Sage, Potatoes, Rosemary and Celery.

Fennel: Dislike Coriander

Grapes: Like Mulberries and Hysop

Kohlrabi: Like Beetrrot and Onions. Dislikes Climbing beans and Strawberries

Leeks: Dislike Celery, Onions and Carrots

Peas: Likes Carrots, Sweet corn, Beans, Cucumbers, Radishes and Potatoes.

Radishes: Likes Peas, Nasturtuiums, Chervil, Lettuce and Kohlrabi.

Rosemary: Likes Sage

Roses: Likes Parsley, Garlic, Onions and Geraniums.

Rue: Like Basil

Sage: Like Rosemary

Silver Beet: Likes Rosemary and Onions.

Spinach: Likes Strawberries

Sunflowers: Likes Sweetcorn

Tomatoes: Like Asparagus, Onions, Nasturtiums, Chives, Marigolds, Parsley, Basil, Carrots, and Nettles.

Zucchini: Likes Nasturtiums.

As we become confined through lack of space, and the natural world seems to be nothing but noise and concrete, we can still have some control -  we can control pests and encourage beneficial insects, thus mimizing the need for poison sprays.  

Aphids: These are a worldwide pest.   They destroy all types of plants, sucking away at the sap on leaves and stems.   Not only are they unsightly, they can eventually kill your plant if the infestation really takes over.

There is good news though!   Eliminate the ants,  and nine times out of ten you can eliminate these blighters, too.   The reason: ants "farm" aphids.  In return, the aphids supply a sweet sappy nutrient that the ants just love to eat.

Also, these same ants will do anything to keep away aphids natural preditors, like the beloved Lady Beetle.   A Lady Bug will devour hundreds of aphids in a day. Why?   Because it's one of her favorite foods.

Yes, there is a way to keep ants at bay!

1. Keep a trough of water below your container

2. Place a ring of vaseline or double sided tape around your pot, ants will not cross across sticky substances..

3. Make sure no leaves or branches are touching walls for the ants to have another place of entry.

Bees: Surprisingly, you will find Bees in many suburban areas.  There are Bee keepers all over the place including the suburbs.   Also, many Bees have gone wild in these areas.

Bees are great, for they pollinate the plants.  If you have them around, encourage them.  They'll  help pollinate some of your herbs and veggies.

Birds: Birds are something of a question mark because at times they can be a pest.  Still, I prefer to have them around.  Their blessing outweight their shortcomings as a rule.  I have had many visits from the native birds, cleaning up caterpillars that would have destroyed my plants.

Supply them with a bird bath.   That'll help attract even more visitors. 

To repel them, If you have dwarf fruit tree, or something they might want to gobble,  hang a sliced onion or three  nearby and you will find that the smell will discourage them -for a while, anyway.   Also, empty out that bird bath.

Butterflies: It's not the butterflies that are a problem but the catterpillars that come from the eggs they lay.   If you don't want catterpillars then repel the butterflies. The cabbage white butterfly in Australia is a real menace in this country and many have resorted to sprays to control their lavae.

The answer:  Many Butterflies are repeled by Mint, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary and Wormwood. Mix these herbs throughout the area in containers where you would like to repel the Butterflies.

Earthworms: Earthworms are vital to both soil structure and health, but not in your pots and containers. If you find these guys in your pots, it means it time to re-pot with a new potting mix. They usually appear once your potting mix starts breaking down into earth, and becomes compacted.

Fruit fly: These little pests can be really troublesome. Place Basil around in pots to repel them where needed. Also remove any rotten fruit from the area.

Frogs: . If you have a little courtyard with a pond, you just may get visit from a passing frog.  And who knows,  he may just settle in. These fellas are worth having around, as they clean up all types of nasty insects.  Please make sure you create a little step for them to climb out.

Ladybirds: We all love them as they are just so pretty and sweet. If you do find Ladybirds in your garden, then your Aphids days are numbered, as, mentioned above, Ladybirds love to dine on them.

Mosquitoes: Mozzies are repeled by Tansy, so plant some near to where you like to sit outdoors in the evening.   Also, if you do have a bad Mosquito problem, don't use saucers below your pots.  Mozzies breed in these!

Slugs: The nocturnal munchers that creep around at night.  Keep are sharp lookout for them by turning over your container.   They like to sleep underneath them. They abhor rough areas so a rough mulch will help.  Lizards will also eat them,  snails, too.  So don't scare them off.

I hope you liked my article Companion planting in Pots?

Happy Gardening,

Marty