Believe it or not, i always used broad beans as compainon plants around the edge of the veg bed, i never tried the beans because id heard others say they wernt nice! Ive now had broad beans (frozen!) Of course as i wanted to grow them as a crop this year, the entire lot were munched by bean and pea maggot! Will try again next year, will also try summer savory
Hi Bekkie - Great thread with some very interesting answers, so thanks all. I grow marigolds and basil round my toms. I read somewhere that it is scientifically proven that growing basil close to tons increases yields. Watch this space as its my first good go at it. I grow nasturtiums near my broad beans as black fly are supposed to prefer nasturtiums. So protecting the broad beans, which are yummy to eat ! I'm also trying onions with my carrots this year to confuse the carrot root fly. Alternate rows of each. Which so far seems to be working. That and minimal thinning and careful weeding. I'm also growing sweet peas and sunflowers with my runner beans to attract pollenators. I have 3 rows of 2 metre wigwams, with alternate beans and sweet peas. Hopefully help, but certainly look nice !
Posts
I use tagetes and basil in the greenhouse along side the toms.
onions and garlic along side each other.
I've got 4 pots of Marigolds in the greenhouse and 2 pots of basil to protect my tomatoes, cucumbers and aubergines.
I've also planted marigolds in with the outdoor toms in the pots/hanging baskets.