Companion Planting guide for Herbs
by Julie Sedwick
The concept of companion planting refers to the plants that coexist by benefiting each other. The benefits include natural pest control, reduced weed growth and at times higher crop yield. Companion planting can be applied to large scale industries. However, the model companion planting is seen more at the home front, where the gardeners can experiment with combinations till they reach a certain strategy.
Herbs are considered to be extremely good for companion planting. If you don’t have an herb garden, then you can plant herbs in pots or tubs. Herbs have various medicinal as well as aromatic properties. They act in multiple ways. In ancient times, when chemical pesticides were still unknown, herbs were used in companion planting for attracting beneficial insects. This practice is popular in modern day methods, too.
There are many companion planting herbs that draw the attention of beneficial insects. Beneficial insects feed on garden pests like aphids and caterpillars and are an important feature of companion planting. Some examples of these insects are:
Parasitoid wasps – feed on aphids, caterpillars and grubs,
Lacewing larvae – eat aphids
Ladybug larvae - feed on aphids
Ground beetles – feed on pests that live on ground
The flowers and herbs that can be used in companion planting to discourage pests are:
Chives, coriander and Nasturtium – aphids
Tansy – ants
Pot marigold –Asparagus beetle
Marigold, Nastratium, Rosemary – Bean beetle
Rosemary, Sage – Carrot fly
Santolina – Moths
Marigold – Nematodes (Marigold has to be at least an year old before showing such properties of repelling nematodes)
Some plants useful in companion planting secrete chemicals which deter the pests, and in doing so, they protect the neighboring plants also. Marigold type of plants such as Calendula and African marigold release a repellent from the roots which keep the nematodes at bay. Companion planting aromatic herbs such as Basil release repellants from their leaves. This property can be effectively used for shielding crops like tomatoes, apricots tress and peach. A similar effect can be seen in companion planting of Sage with onions, carrots, cabbage and turnips.
Organic gardening consists of various factors and includes companion planting also. Organic gardening relies on sun, shade, insects and birds: all interconnected in one way or the other. When you grow different types of plants interspersed with herbs, you create an environment for beneficial insects or animals and prevent problem pests. Apart from these, the soil in which planting is done gets enriched and a living ecosystem which is beneficial for bacteria and fungi, is formed. Therefore by planting herbs you bamboozle pests and prevent them from finding their favorite food.
Herb like mint can be very helpful in companion planting. The odoriferous members of this family example catnip repel aphids and cabbage pests. Catnip can be planted in borders of the garden. They prevent the attack of flea and beetles. Since the growth of mint is difficult to contain, it is better if you grow mint in small pots and keep it around the required area. Sweet basil is a standard plant used by almost all the gardeners across the globe. Not only it repels aphids it also prevent mites and mosquitoes. Basil acts like a fungicide decelerating the growth of milkweed bugs. Companion planting basil with tomatoes enhances the flavor of tomatoes.
Planting garlic with herbs enhances the production of essential oils. Planting rosemary can be enormously beneficial to carrots, beans, cabbage and sage. It deters cabbage moth, bean beetles and carrot fly. Another good paradigm of companion planting is growing sage with rosemary, carrots, peas and beans. Sage is known to discourage some insects. Yarrow can be grown on the borders of the garden and near the herbs. It increases the production of essential oil in the herbs. Mingling thyme with other plants of the garden like cabbages, furthers the growth and flavor of the vegetable. It is a common insect repellant.
Neem (Azadirachta Indica) is a natural pesticide, insect repellent and a medicinal herb. The leaves of neem exude a bitter smell. Companion planting neem along with any vegetable provides the ultimate protection. However, this tree becomes dense and shady on maturity and prevents the sunlight to fall on the plants.