The Ultimate Guide To Companion Planting Herbs

The Ultimate Guide to Companion Planting Herbs

Herbs are a great way to add flavor to your food, but they can also be used to attract pollinators, repel pests, and improve the overall health of your garden. Companion planting is the practice of planting certain herbs together to benefit each other. By understanding which herbs work well together, you can create a thriving herb garden that is both productive and beautiful.

In this guide, we will discuss the benefits of companion planting herbs, as well as some of the most popular herb pairings. We will also provide some tips on how to get started with companion planting.

Benefits of Companion Planting Herbs

There are many benefits to companion planting herbs. Some of the most common benefits include:

• Increased yields: Companion planting can help to increase the yields of your herbs. This is because certain herbs can help to improve the soil quality, attract pollinators, and deter pests.
• Improved flavor: The flavor of your herbs can also be improved by companion planting. This is because certain herbs can enhance the flavor of each other.
• Reduced pests and diseases: Companion planting can help to reduce the incidence of pests and diseases in your garden. This is because certain herbs can repel pests and diseases, or they can attract beneficial insects that help to control pests.
• Enhanced beauty: Companion planting can also enhance the beauty of your garden. This is because certain herbs can complement each other's colors and textures.

Popular Herb Pairings

There are many popular herb pairings that can benefit each other. Some of the most common pairings include:

• Basil and tomatoes: Basil is a great companion for tomatoes because it helps to repel aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. It also enhances the flavor of tomatoes.
• Chives and roses: Chives are a good companion for roses because they help to repel aphids, Japanese beetles, and other pests. They also improve the drainage of the soil around roses.
• Dill and cabbages: Dill is a good companion for cabbages because it helps to repel cabbage moths and other pests. It also attracts beneficial insects that help to control pests.
• Lavender and carrots: Lavender is a good companion for carrots because it helps to repel carrot flies. It also improves the flavor of carrots.
• Marjoram and oregano: Marjoram and oregano are good companions for each other because they help to attract pollinators and repel pests. They also enhance each other's flavors.

Tips for Companion Planting Herbs

When companion planting herbs, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Consider the needs of the herbs: When choosing herbs to plant together, it is important to consider the needs of the herbs. For example, some herbs prefer full sun, while others prefer partial shade. Some herbs need well-drained soil, while others can tolerate moist soil.
• Consider the height of the herbs: When planting herbs together, it is important to consider the height of the herbs. Taller herbs should be planted behind shorter herbs so that they do not shade them out.
• Consider the spacing of the herbs: When planting herbs together, it is important to consider the spacing of the herbs. Herbs need enough space to grow and spread.
• Experiment: The best way to learn about companion planting herbs is to experiment. Try different pairings and see what works best in your garden.

Conclusion

Companion planting herbs is a great way to improve the health, productivity, and beauty of your garden. By following the tips in this guide, you can create a thriving herb garden that is both beneficial and beautiful.

Are you looking to create a beautiful and fragrant herb garden? If so, you'll want to make sure you plant the right herbs together. Some herbs complement each other's flavors, while others can actually inhibit each other's growth.

Here are a few tips for companion planting herbs:

• Plant herbs with similar sunlight and water requirements together. This will help ensure that all of your herbs get the conditions they need to thrive.
• Plant herbs with different heights together. This will create a more layered look in your garden, and it will also help to prevent the taller herbs from shading out the shorter ones.
• Plant herbs with compatible flavors together. This will help you create delicious dishes with your homegrown herbs. For example, you could plant basil, oregano, and thyme together to make a flavorful pesto.
• Avoid planting herbs that compete for nutrients or water. For example, you should not plant mint near basil, as mint is a very aggressive grower and can crowd out basil.

If you're not sure which herbs to plant together, you can always consult a gardening expert or visit a website like Garden Wiki. This website has a comprehensive list of herbs that plant well together, as well as information about the benefits of companion planting.

FAQ of herbs that plant well together

Question 1: What are some herbs that plant well together?

Answer: There are many herbs that plant well together, but some of the most popular combinations include:

• Basil and tomatoes: These two herbs are a classic pairing, and they help to enhance each other's flavors. Basil also helps to deter pests from tomatoes.
• Oregano and thyme: These two Mediterranean herbs have similar growing requirements and they complement each other well in both flavor and appearance.
• Parsley and chives: These two herbs are both versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. They also help to attract beneficial insects to the garden.
• Lavender, rosemary, and thyme: These three herbs are all drought-tolerant and they have a lovely fragrance. They can be planted together in a pot or in the garden.
• Mint and chamomile: These two herbs have different flavors, but they both have calming properties. They can be planted together in a pot or in the garden to create a relaxing atmosphere.

Question 2: What herbs should not be planted together?

Answer: There are a few herbs that should not be planted together, as they can compete for resources or even harm each other. Some of these herbs include:

• Basil and rue: These two herbs produce chemicals that can inhibit each other's growth.
• Basil and fennel: These two herbs have similar growing requirements, but they can cross-pollinate and produce seeds that are not true to type.
• Rosemary and sage: These two herbs can release chemicals that can stunt each other's growth.
• Dill and carrots: Dill can attract the carrot fly, which can damage carrot plants.
• Chives and onions: Chives and onions are both members of the allium family, and they can produce chemicals that can stunt each other's growth.

Question 3: What are the benefits of companion planting herbs?

Answer: There are many benefits to companion planting herbs, including:

• Increased crop yields: Companion planting can help to increase crop yields by attracting beneficial insects, deterring pests, and improving soil health.
• Improved flavor: Companion planting can help to improve the flavor of herbs by enhancing their essential oils.
• Reduced pest and disease problems: Companion planting can help to reduce pest and disease problems by attracting beneficial insects and deterring pests.
• Enhanced beauty: Companion planting can enhance the beauty of your garden by creating a visually appealing and harmonious landscape.

Question 4: How do I choose herbs that will grow well together?

Answer: There are a few things to consider when choosing herbs that will grow well together, including:

• The herbs' growing requirements: Make sure that the herbs you choose have similar growing requirements, such as sun exposure, water needs, and soil type.
• The herbs' flavors: Consider the flavors of the herbs you want to plant together and choose those that will complement each other.
• The herbs' appearances: Consider the appearances of the herbs you want to plant together and choose those that will look good together in your garden.

Question 5: Where can I find more information about companion planting herbs?

Answer: There are many resources available to learn more about companion planting herbs, including:

• Books: There are many books available on companion planting herbs, such as "The New Kitchen Garden" by Rosalind Creasy and "The Herbal Gardener" by Susan J. Massie.
• Websites: There are many websites that offer information on companion planting herbs, such as the website of the Herb Society of America (https://www.herbsociety.org/).
• Gardening magazines: Many gardening magazines include articles on companion planting herbs.

Image of herbs that plant well together

5 different images of herbs that plant well together, from Pinterest:

1. Basil, Tarragon, and Oregano: These Mediterranean herbs tend to pair well due to similar growing requirements, and planting oregano alongside basil and tarragon may help prevent pests.
2. Lemon Verbena, Dill, and Cilantro: These herbs all have a citrusy flavor and can be used in a variety of dishes. They also attract pollinators, which is beneficial for your garden.
3. Lavender, Rosemary, and Thyme: These herbs are all drought-tolerant and can be used to create a beautiful and fragrant garden. They also repel pests, making them a great choice for companion planting.
4. Parsley, Sage, and Chives: These herbs are all essential for any kitchen garden. They can be used in a variety of dishes, and they also have medicinal properties.
5. Mint, Cucumber, and Tomatoes: These herbs and vegetables all have different water needs, so they can help to balance each other out in the garden. They also taste great together!