Complimentary Planting with Herbs.

Having recently acquired an allotment, my partner and I decided to attempt to grow organically. As I have had an interest in herbs for a while I wondered if any could be used as companion plants to control pests.

Below is a list of those that I’ve found along, with their uses, including fertilisers and composting agents, some of which we are currently ‘trialing’ with what appear to be good results.

Our cabbages for instance, which have been planted with Wormwood and Chives nearby, have less damage by cabbage whites than we have experienced in the past. Our courgettes have both Lavender and Rosemary growing next to them and the plants have borne large and undamaged fruits. Nasturtiums are planted at either end of our Squash row, but as yet fruits have not developed enough for us to see if these have been successful. Also a row of Basil was planted next to our Cherry Tomatoes and we have had an impressive crop from just a few plants.

It appears that the herbs are working and we hope to extend our ‘experiments’. I hope that you find the list both useful and interesting.

If lack of bees is a problem in the allotment/garden, planting the following should encourage them:

CATNIP SWEET CLOVER

HOREHOUND THYME

LEMON BALM

MARJORAM

OREGANO

Sheila Jasper