Marigolds

Today's the day ............................ for a companion

These marigolds have been planted in the next allotment plot but one to ours - presumably to deter pests from attacking the vegetables that are growing near them.

Creating plant communities for mutual benefit is an old gardening tradition. Companion planting isn't just about pest control. By combining them carefully, plants can help each other in terms of providing nutrients in the soil, offering protection from wind or sun and also by attracting beneficial insects. Marigolds emit a strong odour that some gardeners believe will repel greenfly and blackfly.

I'm not sure whether they do or not - I just love their orangeness .........................