Understanding Companion Planting

Companion planting involves growing different plants together for mutual benefits, such as pest control and increased pollination. Certain plants, like leeks and carrots, can work effectively together to deter pests like carrot flies by masking their scent. Other examples include using strong-smelling herbs like mint around brassicas to confuse potential pests. While companion planting contains some folklore, certain combinations have been confirmed to yield positive results, emphasizing the need for gardeners to discern effective pairings.