| According to Louise Riotte corn does well with: potatoes,peas, beans, cucumbers pumpkin and squash. She goes on to say "But don't plant tomatoes near corn because the tomato fruitworm and corn earworm are identical". According to me; If this is true then there is a case for not letting infestations affect both species. But there seems to be no other reason of compatibility or lack of it. Growing them together won't increase the incidence of ear worm but could just mean you have to be a bit more vigilant. Riotte says "An experiment with marigolds showed that when planted next to corn, the Japanese beetle did not chew off the corn silks". Reduced incidence of armyworm on corn...were obtained by growing sunflowers in alternating strips...there were also large reductions in the Carpophilus beetles compared with the unbroken strips" (" Carrots love Tomatoes" Louise Riotte 1975 ISBN 1580170277) In tomatoes and companion planting I'd avoid brassicas, potatoes (like the plague) and fennel.( Most plants don't like fennel) Tomatoes protect asparagus from the asparagus beetle and can be planted after asparagus has been harvested so good use of space. It will protect roses against black spot (the alkaloid solanine in the leaves). You can make a black spot spray : make a solution of tomato leaves - juiced in your juicer and about 2 litres water and a tablespoon of corn starch. Spray on roses - keep in fridge. Also garlic spray is effective against blight in toms and garlic repels red spider. Companions for tomatoes are onions, chives, garlic, parley, marigold, nasturtiums and carrots. I've tried the nasturtiums with pumpkins last year and they seemed to increase pollination. Parsley and Basil is the best companion that I've found so far. I'm growing a big box of Basil in the hothouse - it repels aphis as well as making great tomoato and basil pesto! So, if you have planted your corn and tomatoes close together they shoul come to no harm inless you get an infestation of these similar or identical worms. All the best Linda |