Small space and container planting and companion planting are interesting features on a visit to the rooftop farm.

‘3 Sisters’ planting is sweetcorn planted next to french beans that will climb up the corn stems and squash planted in between the corn to give a beneficial effect from nitrogen fixing. All the crops benefit. The varieties you use do matter, for instance a large and rampant squash would be very difficult to control in a container.

In this container the varieties used are all from Dobies organic list: Sweetcorn ‘Earlybird’, French beans ‘Blauhilde’ , Squash Uchiki kuri.

French marigolds and basil used as companion planting to prevent aphids on the rambling Costoluto tomato and fennel next to a melon.

Re-purposed supermarket plastic boxes, such as delivery crates, lined with weed-proof fabric to make excellent growing containers..