Herbs are an essential part of many gardens; they are beneficial in many ways and for many reasons. Herbs have many useful medicinal, culinary and household uses, and they should be present in every garden. Many people plant their herbs in a separate garden from their vegetables, and I am a victim of this practice myself, but I have recently learned that herbs are great companion plants in many vegetable and flower gardens. This article will discuss the benefits of herbs in your garden, and what plants are harmful and helpful.
Companion planting has been studied for several years, and this method has proven to enhance any garden extremely. This method of combining plants can help repel pests, attract insects that are helpful, add nutrients to the soil, and help aid in climate control. If you add herbs to your gardens I guarantee it will help your garden become stronger, healthier, and more productive. Here is a list of herbs and the plants that they enhance.
Anise - Coriander
Basil - Pepper and tomato
Beebalm- Tomato
Chamomile- Cucumber, onion, and most herbs
Chives- Carrot, grape, rose, and tomato
Dill- Cabbage, onion, and lettuce
Garlic- Rose
Larkspur- Bean and cabbage
Lovage- Bean
Marigold- Potato, rose, and tomato
Mint- Cabbage and tomato
Mustards- Bean, grape, and fruit trees
Oregano- Bean
Rosemary- Bean
Ruse- Fig
Sage- Cabbage, carrot, strawberry, tomato, marjoram
Tarragon- Most vegetables
Thyme- Eggplant, potato, and tomato
Ever notice that some plants just do not do well near each other? There are also herbs that have harmful effects on other plants, and these combinations should be observed as well if you want your garden to be healthy. Here is a list of enemy herbs.
Anise- Carrot
Chives- Bean and pea
Coriander- Fennel
Dill- Carrot and tomato
Fennel- Bean, pepper, and tomato
Garlic- Bean and pea
Larkspur- Beet
Mustard-Turnip
Onion- bean, pea, and sage
Rue- Basil, cabbage, and sage
Sage- Onion
Tansy- Collard
Wormwood- Most vegetables
If you are like me one of your worst garden nightmares is insect infestations. It is terrible when you have a beautiful thriving garden, and all of a sudden you notice holes in your leaves and insects are running amuck on what you thought was your bounty. There are also many herbs that repel pests, and here is a list of herbs that serve this purpose.
Ant- peppermint and tansy
Aphid- Catnip, chives, garlic, mustard, and mint
Cabbage butterfly- Southernwood
Carrot fly- Leek, lettuce, rosemary, sage,
Cucumber beetle- catnip, marigold, nasturtium, rue
Japanese beetle- Catnip, chives, garlic, tansy
Mexican bean beetle- Marigold, rosemary, savories
Mouse- Wormwood
Mole- Castor bean, narcissus
Rabbit- garlic, marigold, onion
Slug and snail- Fennel, garlic, marigold
Spider mite- Coriander
Whitefly- Nasturtium, peppermint, thyme, wormwood
Companion planting with herbs brightens your garden up; it enhances the growth of your plants, and it helps protect your plants from pests. Try companion planting with herbs today!
