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Vegetable gardens are a great way to get your children interested in food, and can be a stunning feature in any garden. To get the most out of your crop try companion planting, it will help to keep pests away, but can also increase your yield.
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What is companion planting?

Companion planting is the practice of planting two or more plants together for mutual benefit. This can lead to enhanced quality and growth in your plants, improved crop yields and in general a better looking, fuller garden.

Benefits of Companion Planting Vegetables

1. Shelter – Larger plants protect others from wind or too much sunlight.
2. Beneficial Insects – attracting beneficial insects such as bees that help to spread pollen
3. Soil Improvement – some vegetable plants improve soil conditions for other plants
4. Decoy Plants – there are plants that emit odors that aid in masking the odors of insect-desirable vegetable plants.

Take a look at our info-graphics below, they’ll give you some valuable tips on what to plant with your favorite vegetables.
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I am really impressed and excited by the number of people I visit who would like to have an edible garden incorporated into their garden design. There is an increasing interest in growing and harvesting food from our gardens. Not only are the health benefits from growing your own food good for the mind body and soul, edible gardens can make a fantastic feature in your landscape.

When we design an edible garden the goal is to make it functional but also aesthetically pleasing. Add flowers, culinary and medicinal herbs, espaliered fruit trees, berries topiary, pots and ornaments or water features.

• Annual culinary herbs: basil, dill, summer savory, parsley, corriander, chervil, chammomile
• Perennial culinary herbs: mint, rosemary, thyme, tarragon, chives, sage
• Herbs used for tea: mint, lemon verbena, chamomile, Lemon balm, Echinacea

Whether it is a traditional Potager garden, lines and rows or a more relaxed organic approach incorporating a space for fruit and vegetables in to your garden is something that will add value to your life and property.

Written By : Charlotte Pedersen, Espaso verde Landscape Design For Blaze Magazine, Hawkes Bay
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