Just like people, some plants get along and some just don’t. So when you’re planting this year, why not try this time-honoured method of companion planting? I always wondered why there are chives all round our apple trees.

Apple Trees
Plant chives around the base to prevent scab.
Plant nasturtiums around the base to prevent woolly aphis.
Potatoes and apple trees repel each other.

Asparagus
Plant tomatoes and parsley next to asparagus.

Beans
Plant carrots next to beans. Also beneficial are cucumber, cabbage, leek, celeriac and corn. Carrots are best. Runner beans don’t get on with onions.

Beetroot
Get along fine with kohlrabi and onions.

Cabbage
All brassica are aided by strongly aromatic plants. Early spuds help as well.
Brassica don’t get on with tomatoes and strawberries.

Carraway
Helps peas, repels fennel.

Cauliflower
Aided by celery.

Celeriac
Scarlet runner beans and leeks help celeriac.

Celery
Dwarf beans, leeks, tms and cabbage aid celery.

Chamomile
Helps onions and cabbages.

Chervil
Companion to radish.

Chives
Aid carrots as well as keeping scab off apple trees.

Corn
Sweetcorn aids early spuds, and is helped by peas, beans, dill and cucumbers.

Cucumbers
Aided by sweetcorn, lettuce, celeriac, radishes, kohlrabi and sunflowers.
But doesn’t get on with spuds.

Let us know how you get on, or any companion planting you use sweetpea@fromeallotments.co.uk or @FromeAllotments on Twitter or www.facebook.com/frome.allotments