Key Principles
Contents
Beetroot
Beta Vulgaris
Annual or biennial plant grown for a large taproot and edible leaves.
Likes partial shade (leaves) or full sun (roots). Tolerant of poor soil and pH.
Plant with brocolli, cabage, lettuce, marjoram, onions and potatoes. Avoid: tomato, climbing bean, mustards.
H <45cm, W <20cm, D <40cm
Carrot
Daucus Carota
Annual or biennial plant grown for its long taproot.
Likes full sun, good drainage, acidic pH. Tolerant of drought
Plant with legumes, chives, coriander, cucumber, lettuce, marjoram, onion, radish, sage, tomato. Avoid dill.
H <3ocm, W <10cm, D <30cm
Celeriac
Apium Graveolens
An annual plant grown for its edible stem and bulbous root.
Likes full sun, deep, rich, moist soil, slightly acidic pH.
Plant with beans, cabbage, marjoram, peas, tomatoes. Avoid potatoes
H <30cm, W <45cm, D <20cm
Daikon
Raphanus Sativus
A fast growing annual grown for its small bolbous root.
Likes partial shade, moist soil, slightly acidic pH. Very tollerant.
Plant with beets, carrots, cucumber, lettuce, marjoram, nasturtium. Avoid alliums.
H <20cm, W <10cm, D <20cm
Garlic
Allium Sativum
An annual plant grown for its root and fragrant, edible leaves.
Likes sun or partial shade, good drainage, slightly acidic pH.
Plant with fruit trees, rosemary, mulberry. Avoid beans, peas, cabbage, strawberry.
H <40cm, W <30cm, D <20cm
Onion
Allium Cepa
An annual grown for its bolbous root.
Likes full sun, shelter, good drainage, acidic pH.
Plant with beets, cabbage, lettuce, marjoram, pasley, strawberry, tomato. Avoid legumes.
H <60cm, W <20cm, D <20cm
Parsnip
Pastinaca Sativa
An annual or biennial plant grown for its long tuberous root.
Likes full or partial sun, deep, light soil, acidic pH.
Plant with beans, corriander, dill, cucumber, lettuce, marjoram, onion, peas, potato, radish, sage, tomato. Avoid cherry and celery.
H <60cm, W <30cm, D <50cm
Potato
Solanum Tuberosum
A perennial or annual plant grown for its starchy tuber.
Likes full sun, rich soil, good drainage, acidic pH.
Plant with beans, beets, cabbage, cauliflower, nasturtium, peas. Avoid celeriac
H <50cm, W <30cm, D <50cm
Radish
Raphanus Raphanistrum
A fast growing annual grown for its small bolbous root.
Likes partial shade, moist soil, slightly acidic pH. Very tollerant.
Plant with beets, carrots, cucumber, lettuce, marjoram, nasturtium. Avoid alliums.
H <20cm, W <10cm, D <20cm
Salsify
Tragopogon Porrifolius
A annual or biennial grown for its edible root and flower.
Likes full sun, good drainage, slightly acidic pH.
Plant with carrots, turnips and potatoes.
H <1m, W <45cm, D <30cm
Scorzonera
Scorzonera Hispanica
An annual or biennial grown for its edible root.
Likes full sun, open, well-drained, deep soil, slightly acidic pH.
Plant with beets, carrots, cucumber. Avoid alliums.
H <60cm, W <45cm, D <1m
Swede
Brassica Napus
An annual grown for its edible root and leaves.
Likes partial sun, open, heavy, moist soil, slightly alkaline pH.
Plant with legumes and onions.
H <30cm, W <30cm, D <30cm
Tuberous Pea
Raphanus Raphanistrum
A fast growing annual grown for its small bolbous root.
Likes partial shade, moist soil, slightly acidic pH. Very tollerant.
Plant with beets, carrots, cucumber, lettuce, marjoram, nasturtium. Avoid alliums.
H <20cm, W <10cm, D <20cm
Turnip
Brassica Rapa
An annual or biennial grown for its large taproot and to repel aphids.
Likes partial shade (leaves) or full sun (roots), moist soil, slightly acidic pH.
Plant with broccoli, peas, leafy greens. Avoid alliums.
H <30cm, W <10cm, D <20cm
Alfalfa
Medicago Sativa
A perennial legume grown to break up ground, attract pollinators and for edible leaves and shoots.
Likes good drainage, slightly acidic pH. Tolerant of shade.
Plant with grains, cereals, leafy greens. Avoid alliums.
H <1m, W <1m, D <2m
Buckwheat
Fagopyrum Esculentum
A hardy, fast growing perennial that attracts pollinators, supresses weeds and has edible seeds.
Likes full sun, good drainage, slightly acidic pH. Tolerates poor soil
Plant with almost all shade tollerant plants. Avoid excessive nitrogen.
H <1.3m, W <50cm, D <50cm
Clover
Trifolium Repens
A herbacious, creeping perennial legume, grown for wildlife, as fooder and for edible leaves (boiled) and flowers.
Tollerant of soil quality, shade, exposure and pH.
Plant with leafy greens, herbs, fruit trees. Avoid gooseberries.
H <30cm, W <10cm, D <15cm
Comfrey
Symphytum Officinale
A herbacious, perennial plant grown to attract pollinators, break up soil and to bring nutrients to the surface.
Likes partial to full sun, moist soil. Tollerant of pH.
Plant with other insect attractors and fruit trees (chop and drop mulch).
H <1.5m, W <1.5m, D <60cm
Trefoil
Lotus Corniculatus
A perennial legume grown for wildlife, pollinator attraction, sedative flowers.
Likes partial to full sun, moist soil, good drainage, slightly alkaline pH.
Plant with fruit trees and cabage. Avoid alliums.
H <20cm, W <20cm, D <15cm
Vetch
Vicia Sativa
A scrambling annual legume grown for fodder and to attract pollinators.
Likes full sun, good drainage. Tollerant to soil quality and pH.
Plant with other legumes and cover crops. Avoid alliums.
H <75cm, W <2.5m, D <40cm
Broadbean
Vicia faba
A climbing annual legume, grown for its edible seeds and pods.
Likes partial sun, moist, deep soil, good drainage, slightly acidic pH.
Plant with almost all other plants, considering shade tollerance. Avoid alliums (chives, garlic, onions), sunflowers, beets.
H <1.2m, W <30cm, D <70cm
Bluebell
Hyacinthoides Nonscripta
A bulbous perennial grown for pest deterrant and to attract pollinators.
Likes partial shade, moist soil, good drainage, slightly acidic pH.
Plant with onions, garlic, leek, spring onions, borage.
H <50cm, W <1m, D <25cm
Dandelion
Taraxacum Officinale
A herbacious perennial grown for edible leaves, flowers and taproot.
Very hardy, prefers good drainage and slightly alkaline soil.
Plant with fruit trees and legumes.
H <30cm, W <20cm, D <70cm
Daylily
Hemerocallis Lilioasphodelus
A perennial grown to attract pollinators and for its edible flowers.
Likes full sun, shelter rich soil, good drainage, slightly acidic pH.
Plant with lavendar and sage
H <60cm, W <40cm, D <40cm
Desert Bluebell
Phacelia Campanularia
An annual or perennial grown to attract pollinators. Not edible.
Likes full sun, fertile soil, good drainage, acidic pH.
Plant with cucumber, tomato, kale, broccoli.
H <50cm, W <50cm, D <70cm
Foxglove
Digitalis Purpurea
A herbacious perennial grown to attract pollinators. Not edible.
Likes partial to full sun, moist soil, good drainage. Tollerant of pH.
Plant with other insect attractors and fruit trees.
H <1.5m, W <50cm, D <1m
Honeysuckle
Vicia faba
A hardy climbing perennial grown for its fragrance and to attract pollinators.
Likes full sun, moist soil, good drainage. Tollerant of pH.
Plant with shade tollerant others.
H <8m, W <3m, D <1m
Lupins
Vicia faba
A herbacious perennial leegume grown to attract pollinators and for its edible seeds
Likes partial to full sun, good drainage, slightly acidic pH. Tollerant of soil quality.
Plant with other legumes, grains and leafy greens. Avoid alliums.
H <1m, W <50cm, D <50cm
Marigold
Calendula Officinalis
A herbacious, fragrant, perennial grown to attract pollinators and for edible flowers.
Likes partial to full sun. Tollerant of soil quality, water and pH.
Plant with cucumber, potatoes, lettuce, tomatoes, asparagus, beans, onions.
H <80cm, W <40cm, D <30cm
Artichoke
Cynara Cardunculus
A perennial plant grown for edible flower buds and roots.
Likes good drainage, slightly alkaline pH. Tollerant of drought and shade.
Plant with beans, peas and cabbage
H <1.8m, W <1.5m, D <1.2m
Asparagus
Asparagus Officinalis
A perennial plant grown for its edible young shoots.
Likes good sun, exposure and good drainage. tollerant of drought and pH.
Plant with basil, marjoram, parsley and tomatoes.
H <1.5m, W <60cm, D <40cm
Celery
Apium Graveolens
An annual plant grown for its edible stem.
Likes full sun, moist, deep, rich soil, good drainage, slightly acidic pH.
Plant with legumes, cabbage, marjoram, tomatoes, onion, nasturtium. Avoid potatoes.
H <25cm, W <25cm, D <20cm
Leek
Allium Ampeloprasum
A biennial or annual plant grown for its edible leaf sheathes.
Likes full sun, shelter, rich soil, good drainage, slightly acidic pH.
Plant with beets, carrots, celery, marjoram, onion. Avoid legumes.
H <40cm, W <10cm, D <15cm
Quinoa
Chenopodium Quinoa
An annual plant grown for its nutritious edible seeds.
Likes full sun, shelter, moist soil, good drainage. Tollerant of pH.
Plant with legumes.
H <2.5m, W <50cm, D <1.5m
Rhubarb
Rheum Rhabarbarum
A hardy, herbaceous perennial grown for fleshy, edible stalks.
Likes full sun, exposure, good drainage, acidic pH.
Plant with almost onions, garlic, brassicas.
H <1.5m, W <1.5cm, D <80cm
Spring Onion
Allium Fistulosum
A perennial plant grown for pest deterrence and its edible stem.
Likes partial sun, moist soil, good drainage, slightly acidic pH.
Plant with marjoram, brassicas. Avoid legumes.
H <25cm, W <5cm, D <10cm
Aubergine
Solanum Melongena
A perennial or annual grown for its berry.
Likes full sun, warmth, shelter, moist soil, good drainage, acidic pH.
Plant with beans, marjoram, potatoes, marigold.
H <1m, W <50cm, D <60cm
Cucumber
Cucurmis Sativus
An annual creeping vine grown for its succulent fruit.
Requires full sun, fertile, moist soil, acidic pH.
Plant with marjoram, nasturtium. Avoid potatoes, herbs.
H <90cm, W <90cm, D <30cm
Pumpkin
Cucurbita Maxima
Annual plant grown for huge round fruits with a hard shell.
Requires full sun, moist soil, shelter, acidic pH.
Plant with marjoram and nasturtium. Avoid potatoes.
H <60cm, W <3m, D <60cm
Squash
Cucurbita Moschata
Annual plant grown for large fruits with a hard shell.
Requires full sun, moist soil, shelter, acidic pH.
Plant with marjoram and nasturtium. Avoid potatoes.
H <60cm, W <3m, D <60cm
Tomato
Vicia faba
Annual plant grown for its fruits.
Likes full sun, mosit, sheltered soil, good drainage, acidic pH.
Plant with asparagus, basil, carrots, celery, borage, chives, gooseberry, grapes, mints, marjoram, onions, parsley, parsnips, herbs. Avoid, beets, cabbage, rosemary, potato.
H <60cm, W <60cm, D <60cm
Broadbean
Vicia faba
A climbing annual legume, grown for its edible seeds and pods.
Likes partial sun, moist, deep soil, good drainage, slightly acidic pH.
Plant with almost all other plants, considering shade tollerance. Avoid alliums (chives, garlic, onions), sunflowers, beets.
H <1.2m, W <30cm, D <70cm
Broadbean
Vicia faba
A climbing annual legume, grown for its edible seeds and pods.
Likes partial sun, moist, deep soil, good drainage, slightly acidic pH.
Plant with almost all other plants, considering shade tollerance. Avoid alliums (chives, garlic, onions), sunflowers, beets.
H <1.2m, W <30cm, D <70cm
Broadbean
Vicia faba
A climbing annual legume, grown for its edible seeds and pods.
Likes partial sun, moist, deep soil, good drainage, slightly acidic pH.
Plant with almost all other plants, considering shade tollerance. Avoid alliums (chives, garlic, onions), sunflowers, beets.
H <1.2m, W <30cm, D <70cm
Broadbean
Vicia faba
A climbing annual legume, grown for its edible seeds and pods.
Likes partial sun, moist, deep soil, good drainage, slightly acidic pH.
Plant with almost all other plants, considering shade tollerance. Avoid alliums (chives, garlic, onions), sunflowers, beets.
H <1.2m, W <30cm, D <70cm
Garden Pea
Pisum sativum
A climbing annual legume, grown for its edible seeds and pods.
Likes full sun, moist, rich, deep soil, good drainage, cool weather, tolerant of exposure and pH.
Plant with almost all other plants, considering shade tollerance. Avoid alliums (chives, garlic, onions).
H <1m, W <20cm, D <60cm
Grape Vine
Vitis vinfera
A climbing perennial, woody plant grown for its berries.
Likes good sun, wramth, shelter, good drainage, acidic pH
Plant with herbs, basil, beans, clover, peas, garlic, chives, mint. Avoid brassicas and radishes.
H <10m, W <2m, D <70cm
Nasturtium
Tropaeolum majus
A climbing perennial plant grown for edible flowers, leaves & stems.
Likes full sun & rich soil (flowers), or shade & poor soil (leaves), good drainage, tolerant of pH.
Plant with fruit trees, brocolli, cabbage, cucumber, potatoe, radish, squash, tomato, mulberry.
H <2m, W <2m, D <70cm
Runner Bean
Phaseolus coccineus
A climbing annual legume, grown for its edible seeds and pods.
Likes good sun, moist, rich, deep soil, good drainage, slightly acidic pH, tolerant of exposure.
Plant with almost all other plants, considering shade tollerance. Avoid alliums (chives, garlic, onions), sunflowers, beets.
H <1.2m, W <30cm, D <60cm
Apple
Malus domestica
An attractive tree grown for its large fruits.
Usually likes full sun, shelter, moist, deep soil, good drainage, acid pH.
Plant with lavender, legumes, marigold, nasturtiums, borage, coriander, dill, basil, chives.
H <7m, W <4m, D <4m
Cherry
Prunus avium
An attractive tree grown for its stone fruits and wood.
Likes full sun, shelter, moist, deep soil, good drainage, acid pH.
Plant with lavender, legumes, marigold, nasturtiums, borage, coriander, dill, basil, chives.
H <7m, W <4m, D <4m
Damson
Prunus insititia
An attractive tree grown for its plum-like stone fruits.
Likes full sun, shelter, deep soil, good drainage, acid pH.
Plant with legumes, berries, herbs, marigold, nasturtiums, foxgloves, chives, cover crops.
H <8m, W <5m, D <5m
Juniper
Juniperus communis
fragrant, hardy tree grown for its berries and wood.
Likes moist, deep soil, good drainage, acid pH, tolerant of shade & exposure.
Plant with other fruit trees, legumes, berries, herbs, bamboo.
H <10m, W <3m, D <6m
Hackberry
Prunus padus
A fast-growing, bushy tree grown for its nutritious stone-fruits, usually jammed.
Likes moist, deep soil, good drainage, tollerant of shade, drought, exposure & pH.
Plant with other fruit trees, berries, cover crops & herbs.
H <12m, W <6m, D <6m
Hawthorn
Crategus monogyna
A prickly tree grown for its edible berries, leaves & buds.
Likes deep soil, good drainage, tollerant of shade, exposure & pH.
Plant with other fruit trees, berries, cover crops & herbs.
H <6m, W <4m, D <3m
Medlar
Mespilus germanica
small tree grown for winter fruits, usually jammed.
Likes full sun, deep soil, good drainage, shelter, neutral pH.
Plant with legumes, berries, herbs, alliums, comfrey, clover.
H <3m, W <3m, D <2m
Mulberry
Morus nigra
An attractive tree grown for its edible berries and leaves.
Likes full sun, moist, deep soil, good drainage, shelter, acidic pH.
Plant with legumes, berries, herbs, clover, grapes.
H <8m, W <10m, D <4m
Pear
Pyrus communis
An attractive tree grown for its large fruits.
Likes full sun, shelter, moist, deep soil, good drainage, acid pH.
Plant with lavender, legumes, marigold, nasturtiums, borage.
H <6m, W <3m, D <3m
Plum
Prunus domestica
An attractive tree grown for its stone fruits.
Likes full sun, shelter, deep soil, good drainage, acid pH.
Plant with berries, legumes, herbs, marigold, nasturtiums, chives.
H <6m, W <3m, D <3m
Quince
Cydonia oblonga
A tree grown for aromatic, pear-like fruits, usually jammed.
Likes full sun, shelter, deep soil, good drainage, acid pH, tolerant of drought.
Plant with berries, legumes, herbs, cover crops, other fruit trees.
H <4m, W <4m, D <2m
Sloe
Prunus spinosa
A tree grown for its plum-like stone fruits.
Likes full sun, shelter, deep soil, good drainage, acid pH.
Plant with berries, legumes, herbs, cover crops, other fruit trees, marigolds, foxgloves, nasturtiums.
H <4m, W <4m, D <2.5m
Shipova
Pyrus communis x Sorbus aria
A relatively rare tree grown for its apple-like fruits.
Likes full sun, shelter, moist, deep soil, good drainage, tollerant of pH.
Plant with berries, legumes, herbs, cover crops, other fruit trees.
H <15m, W <6m, D <7m
