[Eblana]

I would like to try some companion planting next year - if for nothing else other than the bit of colour that it would bring to the plot.  This has possibly been covered elsewhere but I couldn't find what I was looking for.

Just wondering what seeds I should be adding to my list of veg seeds that I will need.  What goes with which veg.   Also do I sow companion plants direct or do I bring them on in modules (I start a lot of my veg in modules).  Do I need to increase planting distances for the veg if I am companion planting.

[LilacSandy]

I always put French Marigolds with Tomatoes, Sweet Peas next to my runners, Nasturtiums with the brassicas. I also always grow cosmos and cornflowers for the bees and they also make great cut flowers.  Not sure if companion planting works but the bees love the flowers so they do a great job in that way if nothing else.

[Trillium]

There's a comprehensive list of companion plants  here. LINK

If you start plants in modules, then start the companions in modules unless they're perennials already in place.

And yes, increase veg planting distances slightly to accommodate the flowers. You'll need to avoid planting tall companions with short veg though so the veg aren't shaded out.

[Goosegirl]

tagetes (not Africal marigolds) keep white fly away; at least, in the greenhouse it does. I have used it to great effect but, on the two separate years I didn't, I had whitefly in abundance.

[marcofez]

Tagetes did well for me to combat whitefly in my poly.
Do you think it'll be any good to combat them against brassica's?
I'm gonna give them a try next season!

[mumofstig]

Brassica whitefly are a different variety - I was going to try tagetes, but the weather meant they didnt germinate very well, and I only had a few which I put in with the tomatoes  

So far *touches wood*, there doesn't seem to be as many whitefly as last year

[azubah]

Slightly off subject, but the only time I have had whitefly in my greenhouse was after I had kept a hedgehog in there over the winter and it ate all the spiders. I think spiders work better than tagetes.

[LilacSandy]

Slightly off subject, but the only time I have had whitefly in my greenhouse was after I had kept a hedgehog in there over the winter and it ate all the spiders. I think spiders work better than tagetes.

I am with you on that Azubah, I always encourage as many spiders onto my plants as I can, they have cleared all the greenfly from my chillies in the summer room, and keep them off my basil as well..