Companion planting - marigolds and nasturtiums

**rustylady** · 04-02-2008, 06:34 PM

Not sure about adding companion plants to potatoes, with the earthing up needed they will get disturbed and I don't know of any reason to add companion plants to potatoes. However with tomatoes I believe the smelly (french) marigolds help deter whitefly and aphids so this would make sense. Nasturtiums attract blackfly, so it might make sense to plant them near beans and they (nasturtiums) can be eaten in their own right as salad if they escape the blackfly. Nasturtium seed pods or capsules are sometimes known as "poor mans capers" and the flowers and leaves have a slightly peppery taste. Try googling for companion planting ideas and purpose. I always try to grow some flowers on the lottie as they attract pollinating insects.

**smallblueplanet** · 04-02-2008, 07:13 PM

We companion plant french marigolds in the greenhouse with the toms/peppers/aubs, also scatter them about the garden - well they look pretty!
With our beans we companion plant summer savoury.

**esrikandan** · 04-02-2008, 07:39 PM

I thought it was African Marigolds that help with companion planting?

Ahh....a quick Google suggests either are ok

**Two_Sheds** · 04-02-2008, 07:48 PM

French marigolds are the real smelly ones to deter whitefly. Mexican marigold does too, but it grows over 5 foot tall.
English marigold (calendula) is superb for hoverflies, which will eat aphids

**smallblueplanet** · 04-02-2008, 07:57 PM

Originally posted by Two_Sheds

Mexican marigold does too, but it grows over 5 foot tall....

Lol! .....and some, ours grew to 7 foot high last year and still hadn't flowered!

They did seem to help keep the bindweed and ground elder under control.

**axe70** · 04-02-2008, 08:19 PM

look here Companion Planting

**momol** · 04-02-2008, 08:20 PM

Originally posted by Vegetarian Fox View Post

Can anyone help me with the benefites of companion planting with marigolds and nasturtiums. My idea was to add some Marigolds to my Potato and tomato beds, and some nasturtiums to my root veg, leek and lettuce bed. Does this make sense?

Also does it make any difference whether you use French or African Marigolds, and are there better individual varieties (I was planning the compact nasturtiums to keep them more controllable)

Any experience or advice most welcome

VF

I haven't done any companion planting with potatoes but you can companion plant it with bush beans (it will deters colorado beetles) mind you my book didn't say which beans( broad or french...or perhaps both will do

).
As to add up with other grapes reply, the nasturtium and marigold can be companion with potatoes too but perhaps you will have to grow them out of the potatoes row.

The nasturtium can deter aphid but will attract black fly (according to tomatoes loves carrot), this is very controversial as my other book (herbs encyclopedia) said, it will attract aphid and black fly

but if you ask me, my nasturtium is always free from either black fly or aphid

.
Marigold is very good in deterring nematodes and white fly so it should be good for both toms and root veg.

Lots of grapes will be sharing you their experience...

.
Enjoy growing.

**veggieginger** · 04-02-2008, 09:11 PM

We tried both marigold and nasturtium last year. Both flowered long after the veg we were trying to protect.

**esrikandan** · 04-02-2008, 09:59 PM

I found my nasturniums last year attracted loads of (I think) aphids - all over the underside of the leaf. In saying that, the aphids were on my vine leaves, cherry tree leaves and generally all over the place. I don't know if the marigolds made a massive difference or not.

**Derek** · 05-02-2008, 07:49 AM

A pretty plant for bringing in beneficial insects is Echium

**Two_Sheds** · 05-02-2008, 08:11 AM

Originally posted by veggieginger View Post

We tried both marigold and nasturtium last year. Both flowered long after the veg we were trying to protect.

Perhaps you sowed/growed them too late? Do try again.
Mine are all self-sown, and therefore come up early in the season. My calendula only stops flowering Dec-Feb as a rule.

**moggssue** · 05-02-2008, 11:30 AM

I planted african marigolds in the corners of my plot last year and didnt have any trouble with aphids or the like until after the marigolds died. It was my first year so have nothing to compare with, but it certainly seemed to help in my case.

I also planted sweet peas up the same pyramid support as my broad beans (in the flower bed) and didnt see a single blackfly - think the beans were camoflauged?!

**Sinta** · 05-02-2008, 11:41 AM

I plan to plant marigolds in both of my veg patches.

I use this list for companion planting: List of companion plants - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**Vegetarian Fox** · 05-02-2008, 01:24 PM

Thanks for all the input - i think i will go with French Marigolds dispersed acoss my plot and some Nasturtiums next to my Courgettes/squashes

Originally posted by Sinta View Post

I plan to plant marigolds in both of my veg patches.

I use this list for companion planting: List of companion plants - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a very comprehensive link and the best I have seen - thanks Sinta

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Companion planting - marigolds and nasturtiums

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