This is a really delicious edible display at RHS Wisley. In tall, narrow raised beds, the gardeners have planted cordon tomatoes, Tagetes tenuifolia, ‘Bull’s Blood’ beetroot and red onions. I love the contrast between those dark, lush beetroot leaves and the enormous clumping marigolds, and the height and colour lent by the tomatoes.
But the plants in these raised beds weren’t thrown together simply because they look good together, a case of the beautiful people only hanging out together, but because they have a very good working relationship. Tagetes are one of the best organic controls against nasty aphid infestations as their foliage has a scent which aphids can’t stand. For more companion planting ideas, click here.
Mixing different crops together is a healthy and good-looking strategy for your plot as it discourages large build-ups of pests. Monocultures of just one crop are such a bad idea as pests can easily identify their victims, but with companion planting, you sow a tapestry of different scents and foliage which hides vulnerable plants behind each other. Oh, and it looks ever so pretty as well…
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hillwards
That is a stunning bit of planting. Those lemon gem tagetes look marvelous underplanting the tomatoes, especially with the dark leaves of the beetroot … wonder whether I can squeeze in something similar next year?
blake @ Salt Teak & Fog
Simply beautiful and inspirational. The tomato cordons remind me that I really do need to prune mine more (or at all)… I suppose this look is achieved by pruning out all side-branches? They’re obviously very happy plants.
isabel
Hi blake, yes, all you need to do is pinch out the sideshoots when they appear in between the stem and leaves. Here’s a little how-to:
http://www.fennelandfern.co.uk/blog/2009/06/09/pinching-out-tomato-sideshoots/
isabel
go for it hillwards! the beds were really small and narrow – sure you could fit something in!
blake @ Salt Teak & Fog
Hi Isabel, Thanks for this info! I will definitely be more disciplined with my tomatoes next year — makes perfect sense and looks terrific, too.