Plant Companion Herbs for Better Tasting Vegetables

For centuries the traditional gardening wisdom has maintained that co-planting certain herbs with companion vegetables provide beneficial flavor results. The adverse is also true so lets learn what herbs to plant with which vegetables and which herbs to avoid planting close to non-appropriate vegetables. The results will surprise you and when you receive comments on how fantastic your tomatoes taste, just smile knowingly. It did not take special fertilizer or any harmful pesticides. It was a green movement that made the difference.

Why it Works

It is said the powerful scent of the herbs can confuse and thereby drive away the pesky little bugs and pests that can harm the protective skin or penetrate and start to destroy the pulp of the vegetables. For instance, planting sage among the cabbage is said to repel the white cabbage butterflies. So, if you want to increase the delicious level of your tasty veggies and have savory herbs to add to your meals , this is the best dual purpose planting you will probably ever come across for kicking up the flavor profile of your homegrown dishes.

What to Plant with Tomatoes

Raising tomatoes? Who doesn’t. If you are planting tomatoes then companion plant Basil, Bergamot, Borage, Marigold, Mint, Nasturtium, Sage or Thyme. Also, the following herbs can be planted with most vegetables to rid them of pests and to also enhance the flavor profile: Chamomile, Dill, Mint, Nasturtium, Nettle, Pennyroyal and Tarragon. The use of herbs for companion plantings are well known.

Potatoes, Cabbage, Onions

When planting potatoes, cabbage and onions, plant these herbs as the perfect companions: Chamomile, Coriander, Dill, Horseradish, Hyssop, French Marigolds, Nasturtium, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Summer Savory, and Thyme. You need not use them all, of course. Just choose your culinary favorites from among this list.

Carrots, Peas and Beans

When planting carrots, peas and beans, spade in these buddies to enhance the delicious factor: Borage, Caraway, Chives, Coriander, Lovage, Nasturtium, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Summer Savory and Wormwood. Plant the ones your local nursery or mail order herb company has readily available. By using the herbs for seasonings you also save money by purchasing fewer dried herbs. When choosing from the above list, remember to choose the herb flavor profiles of your family ‘s favorite meals in order to get the complete dual usage out of the herbs.

What Not to Plant Near

Some veggies don’t do well with certain herbs in their neighborhood. Here are the rules on which plants to keep away from which vegetables. Caraway and coriander hinders Fennel. Chives hinder beans and peas. Dill hinders tomatoes. Fennel is not good for beans or peppers. Hyssop hinders radishes. Rosemary is not good close to potatoes, Rue, Basil, cabbage, or sage. Sage isn’t good for onion and Wormwood is best left out of the vegetable garden period.

Remember to Plant Flavor

In other words, if your family loves Italian in-home meals, then use Oregano, Basil, and garlic as well as perhaps mint (which is great for tea). Speaking of garlic, it is great for planting with roses to repel aphids, but is not considered a companion herb for vegetables, although it isn’t a hindering herb. Perhaps the easiest and best way to remember is to bookmark this guide, print it out and highlight your favorites for the next garden center visit. Herbs are great and can be easily frozen to make use of their delicious fresh contributions to the family table all year long. Enjoy your herbs, enjoy the enhanced flavor of your vegetables with this companion guide.

Source:

• Anna Kruger, An Illustrated Guide To Herbs, Their Medicine and Magic, Dragon’s World Ltd. Limpsfield Surrey Great Britain, 1993