Planting an herb garden this year? If you haven’t considered companion herb planting, you might be missing an opportunity for a flourishing harvest!
Companion herbs can be used for so much more than just seasoning. They are an excellent way to maximize the benefits all of your culinary herbs have to offer.
Spend some time familiarizing yourself with which herbs and vegetables grow well together and which to keep apart from one another.
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You don’t want to catch yourself planting some herbs next to one another that aren’t compatible. No one wants to spend all that time tending to an herb garden only for the plants to fight one another.
Set your garden up for success by strategically planting herbs next to one another and make a big impact!
What are the benefits of companion herb planting?
Planting herbs together, or in close proximity, can offer a ton of benefits. One of the most obvious and legitimate reasons is to save space. You might be short of space, especially if you’re growing an indoor herb garden, or if you’re using a container gardening approach.
If you’re growing herbs in pots, you’re at an advantage!
Additional benefits outside of container gardening are that planting herbs along with your vegetable garden can help your production and increase your harvest yields!
Companion planting is a popular practice with vegetables, and herbs have earned their spot on the list as well!
Growing herbs together are beneficial for the following reasons:
- Deters pests from negatively impacting your garden
- Attracts helpful bugs and pollinators
- Feeds the soil with nutrients
- Aerates the soil
- Supports nearby plants
- Increases biodiversity in the garden
- Positively impacts vegetable garden yields
How to plant companion herbs
There are a few things to take into consideration when planting herbs next to one another.
Firstly, you want to select herbs that compliment each other, rather than being incompatible. Understand their root systems, height and width. Two long and sprawling root systems next to one another will compete for space.
Secondly, you want to choose herbs that thrive in similar growing conditions. Which plants need a lot of water? Which needs less light? Take these factors into consideration when deciding on placement.
Lastly, what nutrients does each herb need to thrive? Can you group them together or will growing conditions clash?
Here are some of the most common culinary herbs you can use for companion planting. Also noted are the herbs that compliment or do not compliment one another.
Companion Planting Herbs
Basil
Basil is a fragrant herb that emits a powerful odor. It can be used to repel mosquitos and other pests. Plant them next to other herbs that tend to attract other bugs to help alleviate some of the issue.
Basil is a good companion plant to vegetables such as chili peppers, lettuce and tomatoes. It is also a good companion to parsley and oregano. Allow a lot of natural light and water regularly.
Chives
Enjoy planting chives next to a variety of other garden vegetables like carrots and celery. Give them full sun and water regularly. Avoid planting them next to peas and beans.
Fennel
Here’s a tip regarding fennel. Don’t plant it near anything! It really is not a friendly herb for companion planting, or any kind of planting near other vegetables for that matter.
Mint
Mint is another herb that repels bugs and mosquitoes due to its pungent odor. It can also easily take over a garden and spread aggressively, so only plant it if you can manage it well.
Best to plant in it’s own container. Otherwise, it is a good companion to tomatoes. Mint does not need a lot of watering, and does best in sandy, dry soil.
Oregano
Oregano is a friendly herb that can easily thrive next to a variety of options. Try planting oregano next to peas, cucumber, pickles and squash.
Parsley
Probably the most friendly of all herbs, parsley is an excellent companion plant. Plant it near pretty much anything, like asparagus, peppers, tomatoes, and cilantro.
Rosemary
Rosemary thrives in hot, dry conditions and is a good companion to other herbs like rosemary and safe. Water when soil is dry and provide lots of light.
Sage
Sage is similar to rosemary in that it grows well in hot, dry climates. Allow for partial shade when growing sage. Plant sage near oregano, strawberries and rosemary. But avoid planting them near cucumber and chives.
For a full list of companion herbs and vegetables, see the companion planting chart below.
Companion Planting Chart
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