Basil Traditional companion plant to Tomatoes. Best to plant a few in and around your Tomato patch as it is the strong scent which deters pests. Excess basil leaves can be frozen, or mixed with cooked and pureed tomatoes for a delicious pasta sauce.

Borage is said to increase the yield from Strawberry plants. Cucumbers also benefit from having Borage plants nearby.

Calendula is also called 'Pot Marigold'. Plant it around your vegetable patch to attract beneficial insects. Flowers are edible, and make a lovely addition to a summer salad.

Catnip repels some insects, fleas, ants and mice. It has a strong minty smell and attractive blue flowers in spring and summer. Be aware that it is also a 'cat' magnet - they love it.

Caraway helps breakdown heavy soils.

Chamomile  is said to give strength to any plant growing nearby. Its small daisy like flowers also attract beneficial insects.

Chives  are good plants to grow with carrots and peas. Also if grown beneath apple trees can help to prevent apple scab; The strong onion smell will deter aphids if grown beneath roses.

Comfrey is a useful herb to plant beneath fruit trees, as its deep root system draws up nutrients which are out of reach of most plants. Its leaves are very high in Potassium, a nutrient which is beneficial for activating the compost heap. A rich plant tonic can easily be made by steeping leaves of comfrey in a bucket of water. Cover, and leave for a few weeks. This black coloured liquid is then diluted (1 in 10) and applied to any plant in your garden.

Fennel (Florence, Sweet and Bronze) attract beneficial insects to the garden which will then prey on pests. 

Garlic helps keep aphids away from roses.

Hyssop is said to attract cabbage white moth thereby  keeping brassicas free from infestation. I would rather not attract the pests in the first place however!

Mint  can repel cabbage white moth. Just remember to contain this herb as it will become very invasive if planted directly in the garden. Dried and placed with clothes will repel clothes moth.

Nasturtium plants secrete a mustard oil, which many insects find attractive and will seek out, particularly the cabbage white moth. Alternatively, the flowers repel aphids and the cucumber beetle. The climbing variety grown up apple trees will repel codling moth. Useful if planted near Zucchini as this vegie relies on insects to pollinate its flowers.

Pyrethrum will repel bugs if grown around the vegetable garden. Daisy like flowers contain the active ingredient which deters pest.

Rosemary repels carrot fly.

Rue keeps cats and dogs off garden beds if planted round the borders, but can also stop the growth of other plants if planted too close.

Sage protects cabbages from cabbage white moth.

Southernwood has a strong chemical within its leaves that repel many insects which would otherwise demolish tender , young seedlings. Grow in pots around the perimeter of your vegetable garden for good results.

Tansy  repels moths, flies and ants. Plant beneath fruit trees to repel harmful flying insects. Tansy leaves assist compost fermentation.

Wormwood  although it can inhibit the growth of plants near it, wormwood does repel moths, flies and fleas and keeps animals off the garden.

Yarrow repels insects from the garden. I plant Yarrow in pots and move them around the vegie patch during the growing season. Yarrow is also high in potassium, copper, iron and sulphur so makes a good all round addition to the compost pile.