Companion planting is the process of planting different varieties together in a garden bed that complement or enhance each other. From improving other crops' performance to warding off pests and diseases, there are all kinds of companion planting seeds for the different seasons.
This blog will explore the best companion plants for your autumn garden, from coriander companion plants to leek companion plants, silverbeet companion plants, and more.
Silverbeet Companion Plants
The top of the spinach (or silverbeet) companion plants list comes in the form of the mighty radish because it breaks up hard soil and enables silverbeet roots to make their way through easily. It’s also fast to harvest and doesn’t compete for space with silverbeet, making it the best friend silverbeet could ever ask for in your garden.
Broccoli and Cauliflower Companion Plants
Brassica pests like flies, beetles, caterpillars, and cabbage white butterflies can’t resist the allure of vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower. Nasturtium is an excellent trap crop for this common pest so plant them amongst your cauliflower and broccoli seeds.
Butterflies will lay their eggs on the nasturtium and devour their leaves which leaves your crop camouflaged from their attack. Nasturtiums are vigorous growers and survive the caterpillar munching, too, whereas slower-growing brassicas don’t stand a chance!
Another companion for preventing cabbage white butterfly attack is to plant white sage. The fragrant herb is known to deter these pests, albeit not quite as effectively as nasturtium.
Carrot Companion Plants
The carrot fly is a nasty pest whose grubs decimate the tap roots of carrots, parsnip, celery, and parsley.
Onion is a known companion plant to repel these pests so plant them amongst your crop for the best effect. Onions can also stop the spread from one patch to another, making them your carrot’s guardian angels.
Leek Companion Plants
Strawberries are a good companion for leeks thanks to low-growing foliage that shades the roots, giving you more of the tender white part of a leek. The relationship is a symbiotic one as leeks give back to the strawberries by deterring pests.
So, they match perfectly well as the leek's strong stems can grow through strawberry foliage easily.
Lettuce Companion Plants
Having a trellis of peas planted beside your lettuce seeds can lengthen your harvest time. The peas provide shade and protection for the tender lettuce, reducing its chance of bolting, so it’s a match made in companion planting heaven.
Asian Greens Companion Plants
Pak Choi, Buk Choi, and other popular Asian greens grow well with borage. Borage is an excellent companion plant overall as it attracts beneficial insects.
Peas
Coriander companion plants come in the form of peas and coriander is also said to improve their flavour. While this is hard to prove, it still is a great companion plant and the peas protect the soft-leafed coriander, giving you a longer harvest period.
Companion Flowers for Autumn
Some flowers have an important role in the garden beyond bringing colour and joy. As well as attracting bees and butterflies which pollinate vegetable crops, there are lots of companion flowers for autumn that help deter unwanted pests.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are great near brassicas and attract beneficial insects like hoverflies whose offspring (larvae) eat aphids. Adult hoverflies feed on pollen and nectar, too. The best Nasturtium varieties to use for companion flower planting include Nasturtium Empress of India, Nasturtium Jewel Double Dwarf, Nasturtium Peach Melba, Nasturtium Tip Top, and Nasturtium Trailing Mixed Colours.
Marigold
Marigolds make great companions for beets and carrots and attract beneficial insects.
Popular in our range are Marigold Boy O Boy, Marigold Carmen, Marigold Dwarf Double Mixed, and Marigold Kee’s Orange.
Lavender
You will not only attract bees and other nectar-seeking insects, but lavender loves being next to cabbages, silverbeet, and most herbs. You’ll find the scent also deters some pests and we have Lavender English Dwarf and Lavender Hidcote Blue Strain varieties in stock.
Calendula
The roots of Calendula plants have been known to work with soil fungi to clean contaminated soil and we have Calendula Pacific Beauty Mixed and Calendula Orange Porcupine available to buy online.
Borage
Borage is great if planted near your brassicas and is reputed to deter cabbage moths. Borage is also a bee magnet, the queen of pollination insects.
Chamomile
As well as making a nice tea, this flowering herb loves to have cabbages as neighbours. Chamomile also attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and predatory wasps whose offspring eat aphids and other pests.
Alyssum
Alyssum will attract nectar-feeding pollinators of all kinds, including delicate green lacewings whose offspring voraciously feed on aphids. Our range includes Alyssum Carpet of Snow, Alyssum Aphrodite, and Alyssum Royal Carpet.
Find out More about Autumn Companion Planting
Companion planting is a growing trend and absolutely fascinating to get involved with. For more information about companion planting, autumn companion planting, and more, check out our full companion planting guide. You can also get in touch if you have any queries about companion planting and for advice about gardening in all Australian conditions, check out our garden advice blog.
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