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Organic Gardening - Companion Planting
companion plants and herbs to use for optimum plant growth and health

Companion Planting 

• Calendula & Marigold

• Chamomile

• Basil

• Lavender

• Nasturtium

• Tansy

• Rosemary

• Comfrey

Companion Planting recognizes that some plants are beneficial in many ways to ultimately help each other in their growth & health, as well as deter pests or attract helpful animals like Bees etc.  They will do this in many ways, a few being:  

-  The smell of the volatile oils in the Companion Plant discourages certain pests.   
-  Nitrogen-fixing plants of the Legume family supply Nitrogen to other plants.
-  Some plants have shapes which confuse the pest' recognition ability.
-  Some plants will attract beneficial animals like Bees, which consequently pollinate,  insects which kill pests, or other birds or insects which spread seeds etc...
- Others simply enhance each others growth by physical & energetic means. For instance, Tomatoes & Marigolds like each other, Beans & Sunflowers don't like each other, as they are competing for light & space ~ a lot of common sense... J

    "What is a weed?  A Plant who's Virtues have not yet been discovered."  - Ralph Waldo Emerson, American Poet

Companion Herbs...

  Calendula & Marigold - In Companion Planting, the first rule is: "Marigolds with everything!"  I personally love Calendula however, I so leave it to self-seed itself all over the garden.  

The roots of Marigold give off a substance which drives away the eel-worm.  They are therefore good to plant near Potatoes, Tomatoes & Roses.  (I plant them as borders in the garden - they look gorgeous anywhere)  The Mexican beetle avoids Bean rows which have Marigold/Calendula growing among them.  Dogs won't cock their legs against pots which contain Calendula.  A clump is useful in every flower-bed; an edging gives protection for the Vegetables. 

  Marigolds are stronger in power than Calendula, so will kill Twitch Grass (a pest in NZ), Couch Grass, Nematode & Eel Worm. It is another good companion for Potatoes & general Pest deterrence.

  Chamomile -  Known as The 'Plant Doctor' because of it's ability to encourage other plants to increase their essential oil & so taste & smell more stronger & more vital...  Chamomile is easy to grow, & looks beautiful anywhere, though keep it well trimmed to avoid a straggly look.  Many other plants enjoy it's company, especially Mint, which will become tastier when grown next to Chamomile.  Plant Chamomile next to ailing plants to help revive it.  Cabbages & Onions love Chamomile, though keep it approx a meter away from Onions.  Collect & dry the Chamomile Flowers, then make a tea by soaking  a handful in cold water for a day or two.  This can then be used for any plant which is looking sickly, or a young plant is in need of assistance.  And finally, Chamomile will help activate the Composting process if added to your Compost pile!  

  Basil - Another of my favorite Herbs, Basil is generously scattered over our Gardens.  Basil is best planted next to Tomatoes - everyone knows how well they go together in cooking!  Used as a border for the Tomato patch, the plants will find it easier to resist disease & the fruits will be tastier.  Bees love Basil, while Aphids, Fruit-Fly, White-Fly, the House-Fly & Mosquitoes hate it.  Keep a pot near doors & windows to keep Flies out of your Home.  Also very handy for medicinal & cooking uses if grown nearby.  Keep Basil away from Rue - they definitely dislike each other! 

  Lavender - Everyone must have seen & admired the beauty of Lavender... though it also has other good qualities. Lavender is a general Insect Repellent, good to use as a border for the Garden.  It attracts many Bees to the area, &  can be used for cosmetic, liqueur, medicinal or perfume reasons.  It also deters Moths to great affect - hence the popularity of Lavender Bags in drawers &  cupboards.  

  Nasturtium - Nasturtiums can have a tendency to grow abundantly, but are very easily controlled.   They also possess many benefits for your Garden plants...  They are good companions for Radish, Cabbage & Cucumber.  Orange colored Nasturtiums will deter Aphids, Squash Bug & Striped Pumpkin Beetles, yellow ones tend to attract the beetles!  So plant orange Nasturtium close to your garden to deter insects, & plant yellow Nasturtium far away from the garden to attract the insects. Nasturtium is excellent in the Orchard & will control the Woolly Aphid if left to wander.  And they look lovely as a frame for your Garden J

  Tansy - Tansy is a good all-round bitter Insect repellent.  It is great planted near Cabbages, Roses, Raspberries & Grapes.  It concentrates Potassium in the soil, so benefits any plants nearby!  Plant it for protection against Japanese Beetle, Striped Cucumber Beetle, Squash Bug, Cut Worms, Cabbage Worms, Ants, Flies, Mosquitoes & Fruit Moth.  It is noticeably helpful under Peach Trees, which it assists greatly by warding off flying insects & keeping Borers away.  

  Rosemary - Rosemary is a favorite of older Cottage Gardens... I have it everywhere also J Rosemary is a good companion to Cabbage, Bean, Carrot & Sage.  It deters Cabbage Moth, Bean Beetles & Carrot Fly.  It also improves the growth & flavor of vegetables.  Rosemary & Potatoes do not like each other, so keep them apart.  It looks gorgeous planted as a hedge around the Cabbage patch...  You can also use it as an insect repellent, as well as in a medicinal tea. 

  Comfrey - People in general have lost some enthusiasm for Comfrey, however, when used in the correct way, Comfrey is a splendid plant to have in the Garden, contributing much to the general well-being, plus, it looks lovely!  It is very rich in Potassium, Nitrogen & Phosphates, so makes an excellent fertilizer... Soak a handful of leaves in water for a month, then strain & use as you would any liquid fertilizer.  The sludgy mess left over is of great benefit also - tip it around your Tomatoes or Potatoes. Comfrey keeps surrounding soil rich & moist, & is very effective in Compost Making.  Plant away from cultivated beds as it can spread in the right conditions...  I have never had a problem with it J Comfrey is also a good division for Kikuyu grass - a great pest in NZ.  

There are many more Herbs you can use as Companion Plants - see my Correct Companions Page for more information - the list is endless, so give it a go, try new combinations, or email me for more information! You will find my email address at the end of this page...

See Also: The Guide to Companion Planting

"Let him who'd have the Peace he needs, give all his worldly mumming up,  then dig a Garden, Plant the Seeds, & watch the product coming up." ~ George R. Sims, English Poet

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