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Companions
Companions
Herb Companion Chart
The idea that herbs make good companion plants is not new. Some of the earliest written documents on gardening discuss these relationships. When selecting your companion plants you will need to consider more than which pests are deterred. Think about what each plant adds or takes away from the soil and what effect the proximity of strong herbs may have on the flavor of your vegetables. Try to avoid placing two heavy feeders or two shallow rooted plant types near each other.
Herb Companions Pests Repelled
Angelica Avoid Dill
Basil Tomatoes Dislikes Rue Flies, Mosquitoes
Borage Tomatoes, Squash, Strawberries Tomato Worm
Caraway Plant throughout the garden to loosen the soil. Avoid Dill
Catnip Eggplant Flea Beetle, Ants
Chamomile <../herbs/chamomil.htm> Cabbage, Onion
Coriander Aphids
Chervil Radish
Chives Carrots
Dead Nettle Potatoes Potato Bug
Dill Cabbage Dislikes Carrots and Caraway
Fennel Most plants dislike this herb
Feverfew roses attracts aphids away from roses
Flax Carrots, Potatoes Potato Bug
Garlic Roses, Raspberries Japanese Beetle, Aphids
Horseradish Potatoes Potato Bug
Henbit General Insect Repellent
Hyssop Cabbage, Grapes Dislikes Radishes Cabbage Moth
Lavender Moths -- combine with southernwood, wormwood and rosemary in an anti-moth sachet
Marigolds Plant throughout the garden Mexican Bean Beetles, Nematodes, others
Mint Cabbage, Tomatoes White Cabbage Moth, aphids, flea beetles
Mole Plant Moles and Mice
Nasturtium Radishes, Cabbage, Cucurbits, fruit trees Aphids, Squash Bugs, Striped Pumpkin Beetle
Pennyroyal Roses Flies, Mosquitoes, Fleas, others
Petunia Beans
Pot Marigold Tomatoes Tomato Worm, Asparagus Beetles, others
Pyrethrums Use dried flower heads as a general insect repellent.
Rosemary Cabbage, Beans Carrots, Sage Cabbage Moth, Bean Beetle, Carrot Fly
Rue Roses and Raspberries Dislikes Sweet Basil Japanese Beetles
Sage Rosemary, Cabbage, Carrots Dislikes Cucumbers Cabbage Moth, Carrot Fly, Flea Beetle, Slugs
Southernwood Cabbages Cabbage Moth
Sowthistle Tomatoes, Onion, Corn Plant in moderation
Summer Savory Beans Bean Beetles
Tansy Fruit Trees, Roses, Raspberries Flying Insects, Japanese Beetles, Striped Cucumber Beetles, Squash Bugs, Ants, Flies
Thyme Cabbage Cabbage Worm
Wormwood Plant as a border to keep animals out of the garden.
Yarrow Plant near aromatic herbs to enhance production of essential oils.
Companion Planting
Most of us have heard the words Companion Planting, but whatŐs it all about anyway? Well, companion planting is the process of interplanting different kinds of plants; herbs, vegetables, even flowers together in a way which results in healthier bigger and better producing plants.
If you plant an informal garden that includes herbs and flowers or herbs and vegetables you may find you have the best looking and healthiest plants yet. Herbs are very beneficial to other plants. Their aromatic scent which we find so inviting actually repels many pests. Some herbs planted among certain vegetables are believed to actually increase the flavor of the vegetable. And, herbs such as dill, make a great home for beneficial insects that prey on other bad insects causing damage in the garden.
The scent of nasturtium repels the whitefly and aphids. Around here in zone 6 we sometimes have a Japanese beetle problem. Planting catnip, chives, garlic or tansy may help to repel these pesky bugs. Some pests use their sense of smell to find the plant they want to infest. A few carefully placed aromatic herbs can confuse the pests and send them on their way.
Herbs that combine well in cooking also grow well together. Dill enhances the growth of cabbage and many good cooks will swear by planting basil with tomatoes.
Use herbs to attract beneficial insects to your garden. Ladybugs and parasitic wasps enjoy the delicate structure of dillŐs flower and will live there. Plant them with roses and they will feed on the tiny white bugs called aphids that cause a lot of damage to roses.
Finally, herbs can also have a negative effect when planted near some plants. If you are having trouble with a plant and have ruled out all the normal problems consider whether itŐs the bunkmate which may be the culprit.
Take a look at the charts below to help you plan ahead.
Herbs that enhance other plants
anise coriander
basil pepper, tomato - dislikes rue
beebalm tomato
borage bean, strawberry, tomato, chamomile cucumber, most herbs
chervil radish
chives carrot, rose, dill cabbage, onion, lettuce -
garlic rose
horseradish potato
lovage bean
mint cabbage, tomato
oregano bean
rosemary bean
sage cabbage, carrot, marjoram - dislike cucumbers
tansy blackberry, raspberry
tarragon most vegetables
thyme eggplant, potato, tomato
yarrow most aromatic herbs
Herbs that repel pests
aphid catnip, chives, coriander, garlic, lavender, nasturtium, mint
ants pennyroyal, mint, tansy, southernwood
bean beetles rosemary
black flea beetles wormwood
cabbage moths hyssop, rosemary, sage
cabbage worm thyme
clothes moth lavender, mint
flea beetle mint, catnip, wormwood
flies basil, tansy
Japanese beetle catnip, chives, garlic, tansy
mosquitoes pennyroyal
spider mite coriander
tomato worm borage
whitefly nasturtium, peppermint, thyme, wormwood
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