I planted directly into the compost. Companion planting proved successful. The phalanx of aromatic herbs protected my leafy vegetables from major pests. Cabbage butterflies could be seen cruising the garden and moving on to lay their eggs elsewhere. The yarrow attracted parasitic wasps.
Companion planting is like synergy.
The right plants together make each other stronger. Companion planting is also like the anarchist political principle of syndicalism, where related unions form larger ones, e.g., truckers and factory workers, for mutual benefit. Recipes from my garden.