An Introduction to Herbs
Through reading and gardening, I have learned that there are some plants that thrive when planted together with another variety. There are many reasons for this.
Plants, like people, prefer a social environment. Many plants are beneficial to others for various reasons. I will touch on some of those reasons here, although it would be wise to consult with a local herbalist, gardener, or herbal provider to find specific information for your particular area and growing conditions.
Most plants favor a companion-type arrangement in the herb garden. No plant is a loner. The plants that are planted closely together affect each other in a variety of different ways. For instance plants with many large leaves can be used by smaller plants nearby as protection from the heat of the sun or vigorous winds. Hedges provide shelter from the wind or sun and warmth for nearby plants and herbs in the herb garden. They reduce the flow of the wind, so there is less moisture taken from the soil. Natural poles of corn or sunflowers can help support peas, squash and melons.
Companions help each other by passing nutrients through the root systems. There are some plants that produce strong secretions from the roots, which permeate the soil. These secretions are then consumed by the roots of nearby plants. Deep-rooted plants can survive when the topsoil dries out. They work to help produce a microclimate that will benefit the shallow-rooted neighboring plants. These plants with deep root systems also help to bring up necessary minerals from the deeper soil when the plant decays. Alfalfa and Buckwheat are both good examples of such a plant.
Buckwheat, with its extensive root system, will collect calcium and enrich poor soils if it is thoroughly turned into the soil at the end of each season. Plants put unwanted materials into leaves which drop and decompose, making these materials available to the other plants. This will also help to break up heavy soils such as clay. Bacteria and fungi also interact with the plants, so it is a good idea to test your soil for bacteria before planting.
Some plants will attract useful birds and bees to the herb garden. Planting your garden with this in mind is an easy way to enhance pollination. Beneficial insects, that act as valuable pollinators can be drawn to the herb garden by many of the more common flowering plants. Bees and other pollinating insects can be attracted to the garden by borage, hyssop, and thyme, among others.
Certain fragrant herbs are useful when planted amongst vegetables. Some herbs can act as repellants when grown near other plants or when you make an infusion and use it as a spray. Some of these are particularly useful against different kinds of insects that may be predators of the herbs in the garden. For example, the carrot fly finds its victims by scent, and can be confused by planting aromatic herbs close by. These are some of the most effective repellants: chives, garlic, hyssop, lavender, nasturtium, pennyroyal, stinging nettle, tansy, thyme, sage, and wormwood.
Companions are often used to aid with hormones, byproducts and pollination. Many gardeners and herbalists use companion planting without really knowing why some of the plants fare better along with others in the surrounding area. For instance, planting garlic in between your roses will increase the perfume of the roses and also helps the roses to fight off *black spot*. Many gardeners have sown legumes into fallow fields, knowing that it is healthy for the soil, yet unaware that legumes add nitrogen to the soil.
Some plants affect their neighbors adversely. Buttercups are vigorous and feed heavily, so that other plants do not grow well with them. Fennel and wormwood are poor companions, Certain cereals, like barley, excrete potassium into the soil. Some plants have an exudate that interferes with weed growth. Dandelions have an emission of ethylene gas which will hinder the growth of other plants nearby.
Some common weeds protect the surface of the soil from erosion and convert sunlight into stored nutrients. They can also help protect and shelter young sprouts. It is also worth noting that many common weeds are very beneficial herbs that can be made into an important part of your garden. Dandelion is a good example of this. French marigolds ward off pests from bedding plants.
Crop rotation is one form of companion planting. It affects the micro-life and fertility of the soil. Root channels from prior plants are lined with nutrients that are beneficial to the current crop.
There are several well-known and traditional plant combinations, such as garlic and roses. Tarragon is one plant that is known to be generally therapeutic in the garden. Planting sage and rosemary together is thought to be mutually beneficial.
As a general rule fragrant herbs - chives, hyssop, marjoram, parsley, sage, and thyme - are beneficial in maintaining the health of the vegetable garden. Their benefits have not been analyzed scientifically but a number of gardeners have reported improvements in the general health of their vegetables when inter-planting with these herbs.
Here is a sampling of some of the companions that can be grown together:
Basil will repel flying insects if planted between your tomato plants.
Borage planted with strawberries will attract bees for pollination and improve the crop yield.
Chives will prevent scab in apple trees and will prevent black spot in roses.
Chamomile planted with onions will repel flying insects and improve crop yield.
Chamomile is known by many gardeners as "the plant's physician", as it is beneficial to the surrounding plants in any garden.
Coriander planted with anise will improve the flavor of the anise. It will also attract bees to the garden, which will increase pollination.
Hyssop will improve the crop yield of grape vines.
French marigolds will repel aphids that may attack a tomato crop.
Mint in the garden will repel flies and cabbage grubs.
Nasturtium, when planted near apple trees, will ward off aphids and when planted near tomatoes will attract the blackfly to itself, and therefore away from the tomatoes.
Nettle will control blackfly and can improve the oil content of angelica nearby.
Pennyroyal repels ants and is therefore generally beneficial to any herb or vegetable garden.
Rosemary repels the carrot fly and is also a good companion for sage.
Sage is a wonderful companion crop for many other plants. It will repel cabbage moths
from your cabbages and will repel a large number of harmful flying insects, especially those around vines and predators of rosemary.
Summer savory will attract bees to your garden and will enhance the growth of beans. .
Some herbs will improve the general soil of your planting area. These include caraway, buckwheat, and flax. Dill and fennel will attract beneficial insects to your garden.
Yarrow is said to be generally good for any garden.
When you are planning your herb garden, pay attention to the companions. It may make your job a lot easier and your garden a delightful joy. Happy gardening!