Companion planting uses natural tools to make growing vegetables easier helping you to cultivate crops successfully by creating plant communities that mutually benefit one another. Plants can help each other in terms of providing nutrients in the soil, offering protection from wind or sun. Some plants can be used as structural support for others. Clever companion planting schemes can deter pests or lure beneficial insects such as ladybirds and lacewings on to your plot.

Planting basil and marigolds near tomatoes will help deter whitefly while nasturtiums will lure aphids away from runner beans. Planting brightly coloured flowers near your crops will attract a wide range of beneficial and pollinating insects to your garden.

By growing strong-smelling plants next to a row of vulnerable vegetables, you can ward off many pests. Planting sage or alliums such as leeks, onions or garlic near carrots will masks their sweet smell and help avoid carrot fly. Carrots in turn help repel onion fly and leek moth. Alliums also deter slugs making them excellent for growing among salad leaf crops. Alliums planted near strawberries help to prevent the strawberries from developing mould.

Sweetpeas grown alongside climbing beans will help attract pollinators.