Flowers and herbs are often planted among vege gardens but there are plenty of benefits for companion planting with fruit trees too.
Underplanting fruit trees not only helps to repel insects and attract pollinators and beneficial insects to the garden, it also improves soil fertility.
We've put together some ideas if you're adding to your mini orchard this spring.
Other options for fruit tree companions include:
- Phaecelia (purple tansy) is great for attracting beneficial insects and pollinators, they can be grown from seed.
- Bergamot (bee balm) attracts pollinators, nasturtium helps to deter insect pests, especially codling moth and can be sown by seed or plants.
- Queen Anne's Lace is a great plant for pollinators and beneficial insects, sow from seed or plants.
Most of these plants need a free draining soil so ensure the area is free draining enough for them to establish.
Be careful not to cultivate under the trees roots too much as this will disturb them!
Check out other common companion plants here >
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Companion planting for fruit trees Comments
I planted comfrey last year but it didn’t seem to make any difference.
Esme Pohatu
Hi Esme, comfrey is great for improving soil structure as it has a deep penetrating root system, and is a good source of nutrients, especially potassium, for plants. The leaves can be picked and laid on the soil as a mulch between rows or dug into the soil. Comfrey tea can be made by soaking the leaves in water for a month, straining it and applying it as a liquid fertiliser for the garden. The sludge can go into the compost. When left to flower it will attract pollinators to the garden.
Lianne
Thank you so much for the information as this hopefully will help my fruit trees.
ANN HUBBARD