Special Publications: October 08, 2025

SELWYN GARDENING GUIDE 2025 | 11
Beginner’s guide: Companion planting
The phrase “vege patch” has a lot to
answer for. When you start out growing
your own veges, it might seem sensible
to plant each type into its own area,
separating them out as logically as
cutlery in a drawer. But nature doesn’t
grow plants like that, so why should we?
There are many benefits from creating
certain combinations in your planting.
What’s known as “companion planting”
is both an art and a science. Here’s
some ways to introduce its biodiversity
principles into your home vege growing.
Foundations
It makes sense to group plants together
that need the same soil conditions. Leafy
crops love nitrogen, including lettuces
and brassicas such as broccoli, bok choy,
Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower,
kale and, surprisingly, radishes and
turnips.
On the other hand, crops that flower
then fruit love potassium. If you planted
tomatoes, chilis, capsicums, eggplant,
courgette, corn and pumpkins in the
Nasturtium health
Marigold power
same soils as leafy crops, it would be
their leaves that flourish, not the flowers.
Dimensions
Some plants are, literally, a natural fit.
Sweetcorn has shallow roots and grows
strong and tall, reaching for the sun. So
climbers like beans and peas can hitch
a ride without doing damage. Then
below them, add veges that benefit from
dappled shade and either grow mainly
underground or sprawl out sideways,
like potatoes and pumpkins.
Flower power
Your “vege” patch will flourish best
with a healthy serving of flowers.
Nasturtiums, marigolds, lavender and
chrysanthemums each have roles in
distracting or repelling pests such as
aphids, whitefly and greenfly, while
attracting beneficial insects that prey
on these pests, and that pollinate. Not to
mention, they’re beautiful.
Basil with tomatoes
Herbal influence
Let dill flower freely. It attracts insects
that feed on aphids, and parasitic wasps
that prey on the hornworms that can
do such damage to corn and tomatoes.
Speaking of tomatoes, basil, chives and
parsley are great growing companions,
adding benefits to the soil and enhancing
the tomato flavour, both while it grows as
well as in the salad bowl when served!
There is much published information
about companion planting, so research
the veges most important to you, talk
to knowledgeable staff across Selwyn’s
many garden centres, and start
experimenting. The world of companion
planting is just a trowel’s dig away.
Photos from ReNourish Community Garden
Enjoy your garden..
from the pool!
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