The Art & Secrets of Companion Planting: Herbs
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Herbs are the easiest companion plants to intersperse between food plants in order to increase yields. It can be done within the rows or between the rows of vegetables without harming the vegetables themselves. Herbs are strongly scented to attract beneficial insects or repel and confuse harmful pests. They are generally light feeders, so they won’t deplete the soil which robs the nutrients that vegetables need.
HERB
COMPANIONS
ANTAGONISTS
NOTES
BASIL
Ocimum basilicum
COMPANIONS
Asparagus, broccoli, brussel sprouts, chives, potatoes, and tomatoes.
ANTAGONISTS
Cabbage, eggplant, potato, peppers, rue, and thyme.
NOTES
The soulmate to tomatoes!
BORAGE
Borago officinalis
COMPANIONS
Squash, strawberries, tomatoes, and zucchini.
ANTAGONISTS
None! This herb pairs well with any plant and is even said to enhance vegetables’ flavor!
NOTES
n/a
CARAWAY
Carum carvi
COMPANIONS
Peas and strawberries.
ANTAGONISTS
Dill and fennel.
NOTES
n/a
CATNIP
Nepeta cataria
COMPANIONS
Beets, eggplant, pumpkin, and squash.
ANTAGONISTS
n/a
NOTES
Great for use as a border around gardens.
CILANTRO
Coriandrum sativum
COMPANIONS
Basil, cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mint, potatoes, spinach, tansy, tomatoes, and yarrow.
ANTAGONISTS
Dill.
NOTES
Attracts hoverflies which may in turn reduce pest populations in cabbages.
CHAMOMILE
Matricaria recutita
COMPANIONS
Apple trees, basil, beans, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, dogwood, black eyed susan, bee balm, bleeding hearts, kale, kohlrabi, lilacs, mint, onions, petunias, phlox, potatoes, roses, snapdragons, verbena, tomatoes, and zinnias.
ANTAGONISTS
None!
NOTES
Annuals susceptible to fungal problems as well as blight prone vegetables can all benefit from having this herb as their neighbor!
CHIVES
Allium schoenoprasum
COMPANIONS
Basil, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, eggplant, kohlrabi, marigold, mustard, parsley, parsnips, peppers, potatoes, rhubarb, roses, squash, strawberries, and tomatoes.
ANTAGONISTS
None! All plants thrive when growing this herb nearby.
NOTES
It is said to prevent apple scab after 3 years of planting at the base of apple trees.
DILL
Anethum graveolens
COMPANIONS
Asparagus, basil, corn, cucumber, fennel, lettuce, members of the cabbage family, and onion.
ANTAGONISTS
Cilantro and tomato.
NOTES
One of the few plants said to grow with fennel.
FENNEL
Foeniculum vulgare
COMPANIONS
Dill (although it’s best to grow seperatly because these two tend to cross pollinate, a container is recomended).
ANTAGONISTS
Not a companion plant for any food plant especially beans and tomatoes.
NOTES
Fennel is allelopathic to most garden plants, inhibiting growth, causing to bolt, or actually killing many plants.
MARJORAM
Origanum majorana
COMPANIONS
Celery, corn, eggplant, onions, peas, potatoes, radish.
ANTAGONISTS
Everyone’s friend!
NOTES
n/a
MINT
Mentha
COMPANIONS
Beans, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, eggplants, kale, lettuce, marigolds, oregano, peas, and tomatoes.
ANTAGONISTS
Not advised to plant with other herbs.
NOTES
n/a
OREGANO
Origanum vulgare
COMPANIONS
Basil, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, kale, marjoram, pumpkin, and squash. Most fruits, especially grapes.
ANTAGONISTS
Beneficial to most plants as it provides general pest suppression.
NOTES
Provides ground cover and much-needed humidity for pepper plants. Because it attracts syrphidae, it reduces aphids through predation.
PARSLEY
Petroselinum crispum
COMPANIONS
Apples, asparagus, beans, brassicas, corn, pears, peppers, roses, and tomatoes.
ANTAGONISTS
Alliums, carrots, lettuce, and mint.
NOTES
Trap crop for insects that feed on tomatoes.
ROSEMARY
Rosmarinus officinalis
COMPANIONS
Beans, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, hot peppers, kale, turnips, kohlrabi, rutabaga, and radishes
ANTAGONISTS
Carrots (can use use rosemary cuttings for carrot fly control by placing around the crown), potatoes, pumpkins and all herbs aside from sage.
NOTES
Deters cabbage flies and repels many bean parasites.
SAGE
Salvia officinalis
COMPANIONS
Beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, peas, strawberries, and tomatoes.
ANTAGONISTS
Alliums: onions, leeks, garlic, shallots, and chives (these prefer moist soil), and cucumbers (can stunt growth).
NOTES
n/a
SPEARMINT
Mentha spicata
COMPANIONS
Alliums, brassicas, cabbage, peas, tomatoes.
ANTAGONISTS
n/a
NOTES
Controls ants and aphids.
SUMMER SAVORY
Satureja hortensis
COMPANIONS
Beans, onion (said to make them sweeter!) and tomatoes.
ANTAGONISTS
Friends with everyone!
NOTES
n/a
TARRAGON
Artemisia dracunculus
COMPANIONS
Most vegetables especially its BFF eggplant.
ANTAGONISTS
n/a
NOTES
Its scent is disliked by most pests. Tarragon is thought to have Nurse Plant properties, enhancing the growth and flavor of crops grown with it.
THYME
Thymus vulgaris
COMPANIONS
Cabbage, blueberries, broccoli, brussel sprouts, egg plants, kohlrabi, potatoes, roses, strawberries and tomatoes.
ANTAGONISTS
n/a
NOTES
Because it attracts syrphidae it reduces aphids through predation.
WINTER SAVORY
Satureja montana
COMPANIONS
Lavender, sage, and thyme.
ANTAGONISTS
Friends with everyone!
NOTES
n/a ☾
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