by Benedict Vanheems, June 24, 2023
A thriving vegetable garden needs more than just vegetables. Strategic companion planting with flowers can help repel pests, attract beneficial insects, and improve soil health. Here are three powerhouse blooms every gardener should grow.
1. Comfrey: The Nutrient Powerhouse
Comfrey is a star in the garden for multiple reasons. Its bell-shaped blossoms attract bees, especially bumblebees, and pest-munching allies like parasitoid wasps, lacewings, and spiders. This hardy perennial is easy to grow, tolerates partial shade, and is rarely troubled by slugs.
Choose Wisely:
Opt for the sterile variety ‘Bocking 14’ to prevent unwanted spreading.
The Real Magic: Comfrey Leaves
Comfrey leaves are nutrient-rich, packed with nitrogen, potassium, and trace elements. Use them in these versatile ways:
- Mulch: Cut and spread leaves around nutrient-hungry plants like tomatoes or squash.
- Planting Boost: Line planting holes or trenches with leaves for a slow-release fertilizer.
- Compost Enhancer: Add them to your compost heap for a nutrient boost.
- Soil Conditioner: Dig them into the soil as green manure.
- Potting Mix: Dry and crumble leaves into homemade potting mixes.
- Liquid Fertilizer: Make a nutrient-rich comfrey tea by steeping leaves in water for a month. Dilute 1:3 with water for a potent plant feed.
For an even stronger concentrate, skip the water and press the leaves under bricks to extract a thick liquid. Dilute 1:15 with water before use.
2. Borage: The Bee’s Best Friend
Borage, with its striking blue flowers, is a magnet for bees, particularly bumblebees. Its high activity level can deter pests like tomato hornworms and cabbage white butterflies.
Easy Maintenance:
Borage is an annual that self-seeds readily, ensuring a steady supply for years. Remove excess seedlings as needed.
Benefits of Borage:
- Attracts pollinators, enhancing vegetable yields.
- Acts as a companion plant to tomatoes, cabbages, and strawberries.
- Improves soil when added to compost or used as mulch.
- Provides edible flowers with a crisp, cucumber flavor, perfect for salads, desserts, or garnishing drinks.
Encourage continuous blooming by deadheading spent flowers. For a midseason refresh, prune plants back halfway.
3. French Marigold: A Compact Protector
French marigolds are small but mighty. Their tidy growth makes them ideal companions for taller crops like tomatoes. They draw in beneficial insects such as hoverflies, lacewings, ladybugs, and parasitic wasps.
Cultural Significance:
Marigolds are celebrated globally—in Indian ceremonies and Mexican traditions like Día de los Muertos.
Gardening Benefits:
- Their roots release natural compounds that suppress nematodes. Chop and dig them into the soil at the season’s end for maximum effect.
- Regular deadheading ensures continuous blooms.
- Marigold flowers are edible with a citrusy tang, perfect for salads and desserts.
Conclusion
Comfrey, borage, and French marigold aren’t just beautiful additions to your garden—they’re powerful allies for pest control, pollination, and soil enrichment. What are your favorite flowers to grow? Share your thoughts in the comments below!