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Writer's pictureHannah O'Connor

Companion Planting with Herbs


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Companion Planting with Herbs


Anise

  • Companions: Coriander and other aromatic herbs

  • Benefits: Improves vigor and flavor of companions and repels aphids and lice.

  • Avoid: Some reports suggest avoiding planting near radishes.


Basil

  • Companions: Tomatoes, peppers, oregano, asparagus, petunias

  • Benefits: Improves flavor and growth of companions, repels mosquitoes and flies, and can deter aphids and spider mites.

  • Avoid: Rue and sage, as they tend to inhibit each other's growth.


Borage

  • Companions: Tomatoes, squash, strawberries, cucumbers

  • Benefits: Attracts bees and other beneficial pollinators. Borage is also known for improving tomato growth and resistance to pests.

  • Avoid: Borage grows large and spreads easily, so it may overwhelm nearby smaller plants.


Catnip

  • Companions: Eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, squash

  • Benefits: Catnip is known to repel aphids, Japanese beetles, flea beetles, squash bugs, and ants. It can also attract beneficial insects like lacewings and hoverflies.

  • Avoid: It can be invasive, so it's best to keep catnip controlled or grow it in containers to prevent it from overtaking the garden.


Caraway

  • Companions: Peas, strawberries

  • Benefits: Caraway helps to break up heavy soils with its deep roots, which can benefit plants like peas and strawberries. It also attracts beneficial insects that prey on pests.

  • Avoid: Keep away from fennel as they can cross-pollinate and potentially ruin both crops.


Chamomile

  • Companions: Cabbage, onions, cucumbers, and many other herbs and vegetables.

  • Benefits: Chamomile improves the flavor and health of plants around it, attracts beneficial insects, and can enhance essential oil production in nearby herbs.

  • Avoid: It is generally companion-friendly and does not have known negative impacts on other plants.


Chives

  • Companions: Carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, mustard

  • Benefits: Improves flavor and growth of companions, repels aphids and prevents apple scab when planted under apple trees.

  • Avoid: Beans and peas, as chives may stunt their growth.


Coriander (Cilantro)

  • Companions: Anise, potatoes

  • Benefits: Repels aphids, spider mites, and potato beetle. Attracts beneficial insects like predatory wasps and hoverflies which control pest populations.

  • Avoid: Fennel, as it can inhibit the growth of coriander.


Cumin

  • Companions: Chickpeas, potatoes

  • Benefits: Cumin can help to repel pests that commonly affect potatoes and chickpeas and improve their overall health.

  • Avoid: Cumin can inhibit the growth of other plants if sown too closely due to its allelopathic properties, which can suppress the growth of surrounding plants.


Curry Plant

  • Companions: In ornamental beds

  • Benefits: With its strong scent, the curry plant can help deter pests and is best used as a border or interplanted with less fragrant plants to enhance overall garden resilience.

  • Avoid: Being less common in vegetable gardens, its companion benefits and detriments are not well-documented.


Dill

  • Companions: Cabbage, onions, lettuce, sweet corn, cucumbers

  • Benefits: Attracts beneficial insects like honeybees and butterflies. Dill improves the growth and health of cabbage and onions but should be planted with caution around carrots.

  • Avoid: Carrots and tomatoes, as it can inhibit their growth when mature.


Fennel

  • Companions: Fennel is somewhat unique as it is best grown alone.

  • Benefits: Attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs, and swallowtail butterfly caterpillars.

  • Avoid: Most garden vegetables and herbs, as fennel can inhibit their growth and attract pests that harm other plants.


Garlic

  • Companions: Roses, raspberries, cucumbers, peas, lettuce

  • Benefits: Acts as a natural fungicide and repels pests like aphids. Planting garlic under fruit trees can help prevent borers.

  • Avoid: Beans and peas, as garlic releases substances that can inhibit the growth of some legumes.


Hyssop

  • Companions: Cabbage, grapes, and under fruit trees.

  • Benefits: Repels cabbage moths and flea beetles. It's also beneficial for improving flavor and health of fruit trees.

  • Avoid: Radishes, as hyssop may inhibit their growth.


Lemon Balm

  • Companions: Fruit trees, melons, tomatoes

  • Benefits: Repels mosquitoes and other insects, while attracting pollinators like bees.

  • Avoid: Young seedlings and small plants, as lemon balm can be aggressive and may compete for resources if not controlled.


Lemon Verbena

  • Companions: Almost all garden plants

  • Benefits: Lemon verbena can help deter pests and insects with its strong citrus scent. It’s also beneficial for attracting pollinators.


Lovage

  • Companions: Potatoes, beans

  • Benefits: Enhances the flavor of many vegetables and can help attract beneficial insects.

  • Avoid: Being a tall plant, lovage can overshadow smaller plants if not managed properly.


Marjoram

  • Companions: All vegetables and herbs

  • Benefits: Improves flavor and growth of plants nearby, acts as a general insect repellent.

  • Avoid: No known incompatibilities.


Mint

  • Companions: Cabbage, tomatoes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts

  • Benefits: Deters cabbage moths, aphids, and flea beetles. Mint's strong scent masks the smell of the vegetables, protecting them from pests.

  • Avoid: Keep contained as it can become invasive and overpower nearby plants.


Mustard

  • Companions: Fruit trees, grapes, and a range of vegetable crops

  • Benefits: Mustard acts as a trap crop for pests like aphids. It can also improve soil structure and fertility when used as a green manure.

  • Avoid: Mustard can harbor clubroot, a disease affecting brassicas, so avoid planting it near other members of the cabbage family.


Oregano

  • Companions: All vegetables and herbs

  • Benefits: General pest repellent with a strong aroma that confuses pests. Promotes overall garden health.

  • Avoid: Oregano is generally beneficial and does not have known adverse effects when planted with other garden varieties.


Parsley

  • Companions: Tomatoes, asparagus, roses, corn

  • Benefits: Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps, which help control pest populations. It also enhances the vigor of roses.

  • Avoid: Lettuce, as parsley can contribute to its early bolting.


Rosemary

  • Companions: Cabbage, beans, carrots, sage

  • Benefits: Repels cabbage moths, bean beetles, and carrot flies. It also has a general repellent effect against many pests due to its strong scent.

  • Avoid: Potatoes, as it might inhibit their growth.


Rue

  • Companions: Roses and raspberries

  • Benefits: Rue is known to repel Japanese beetles and other pests. It can also improve the health and vigor of roses and raspberries.

  • Avoid: Avoid planting near basil, sage, and cucumbers as it can inhibit their growth.


Sage

  • Companions: Rosemary, cabbage, carrots, strawberries

  • Benefits: Repels cabbage moths and carrot flies, and generally helps to deter pests with its strong scent.

  • Avoid: Cucumbers and onions, as sage might inhibit their growth.


Spearmint

  • Companions: Tomatoes, cabbage, and peas

  • Benefits: Like other mints, spearmint helps deter pests such as aphids and cabbage moths. It can also enhance the flavor of vegetables growing nearby.

  • Avoid: Can be very invasive, so it is best grown in containers or controlled areas to prevent it from spreading uncontrollably.

  • Avoid: There are no specific plants to avoid.


Summer Savory

  • Companions: Beans, onions, garlic

  • Benefits: Improves the growth and flavor of beans and onions. It is reputed to repel bean beetles and improve the overall health of beans and onions.

  • Avoid: Summer savory generally gets along well with most plants.


Tarragon

  • Companions: Virtually all vegetables and herbs

  • Benefits: Enhances flavor and growth of nearby plants. It's also thought to repel pests due to its strong odor.

  • Avoid: Few known incompatibilities, making it versatile in the garden.


Thyme

  • Companions: Strawberries, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale

  • Benefits: Deters cabbage worms and improves the flavor of strawberries. Its strong scent can help mask the presence of the vegetable plants to pests.

  • Avoid: Corn, as it tends to compete for soil nutrients.


Wormwood

  • Companions: Perimeter of the garden

  • Benefits: Wormwood is a potent repellent for a wide range of pests due to its strong aromatic oils. It’s particularly effective when planted around the edges of a garden.

  • Avoid: Wormwood is extremely allelopathic and can inhibit the growth of many garden plants, so it's best planted away from vegetable and herb beds.





Recommended online resources where you can learn more about using herbs effectively in companion planting:


GrowVeg - This website offers detailed gardening advice and planning tools, including specific guides on using herbs in companion planting.


The Old Farmer’s Almanac - This site provides a wealth of information on gardening, including how to use herbs in companion planting. They offer practical tips and planting calendars tailored to specific regions.


Gardening Know-How - This site has a vast array of articles on all aspects of gardening, including how to integrate herbs for pest control and plant health through companion planting.


Herb Gardening - This specialized blog provides extensive information on growing and using herbs, including sections on how herbs can be used in companion planting to benefit the whole garden.


Permaculture Research Institute - Offers in-depth articles on permaculture techniques, including companion planting with herbs. Their focus is on sustainable and ecological gardening practices.


Mother Earth News - Known for its focus on sustainable living, this website provides insightful articles and guides on organic gardening, including the use of herbs in companion planting.


Planet Natural - Offers resources and blog posts on organic gardening, including how to use herbs to deter pests and promote growth in other plants.




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