Companion planting is an excellent way of growing different crops in close vicinity of each other as it offers multiple benefits and thus boosts production. Basil is a fragrant herb and grows well in warm weather, and sunny conditions.
Basil has good growing compatibility with other herbs and helps to improve soil productivity, space utilization, and vigor of growing plants. Basil is a great option for companion planting as it attracts butterflies and repels harmful insects.
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What herbs can be planted with basil?
This article highlights important herbs to plant with basil and companion plants for basil.
1. Parsley
Basil grows best along with parsley as both of these companion plants require plenty of water, and good sunlight to grow. It is an exceptional source of potassium, folate, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber, fats, proteins, and carbs. So, growing parsley along with basil does not only help to reduce the insect pest populations but is also helpful to provide additional health benefits to the grower’s family.
2. Peppers
Basil herbs provide double effectiveness along with peppers and help to repel pests. Moreover, it provides dense vegetation cover on soil and helps to conserve soil moisture and soil health. Moreover, the decaying roots add good organic matter to the soil and provide nutrients to growing plants.
3. Borage
It is a flowering herb and produces star-shaped, and blue colored blossoms. It is a favorite plant of pollinators and also helps to repel bugs. Thus, it is essentially helpful to improve pollinator’s population, and ecosystem functioning. This herb does not only helps to improve the growth, and development of basil but also helps to add good taste to salads, and other dishes.
4. Marigold
Basils and marigolds are naturally good insect repelling pair and planting them near to each other provide a potent aromatic shield.
5. Cilantro
Cilantro belongs to the same plant species as coriander and produces delicious, and nutritional rich leaves. It is an excellent option for companion planting and is helpful to repel notorious insect pests, and thereby greatly reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.
Moreover, it is an excellent source of zinc, potassium, selenium, phosphorus, copper, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin A, and dietary fiber. Therefore, its addition to salads, soups, and other dishes is an excellent source of multiple health benefits.
6. Tarragon
Tarragon is an aromatic herb and is an excellent option for companion planting with basil due to its insect repelling properties. Moreover, it does not take much space, and can easily grow in space-limited conditions. Moreover, growing tarragon in the garden is a good way to add flavor to salads, soups, stews, fish, pickles, tomatoes, vegetables, cheese, omelets, and sauces. Tarragon produces bright and green colored leaves that produce a warm odor, and reminiscent taste. It also contains essential oils, so it provides good health benefits.
7. Asparagus
The combination of basil and asparagus is very appealing to ladybugs and helps to control the presence of pests and specifically aphids in the garden. Moreover, it also repels asparagus beetles that damage the tender tips of asparagus shoots.
8. Lemon Basil
Lemon basil is a hybrid produced by crossing between American basil, and basil. The cultivation requirements for basil and lemon basil are almost similar so their companion planting does not require any additional management.
9. Chamomile
Planting basil along with chamomile is an excellent way to stop the entry of insect pests and promotes the growth of plants in the gardens. It makes the basil more flavorful for consumption and culinary applications. Results of various scientific studies have proved that companion planting of chamomile, and basil is helpful to improve essential oil contents of basil, and therefore significantly improves its nutritional, and economic value.
10. Oregano
Oregano is a widely recognized and well-known herb for companion planting and can be grown along with a wide range of plants and herbs including basils. Oregano is a beneficial perennial herb and produces green colored round leaves.
Oregano is a good source of nutrients and produces numerous health benefits, therefore, it is being individually grown in various parts of the world. However, companion planting of basil and oregano offers excellent insect pests’ control and health benefits for human beings.
11. Marjoram
Marjoram has great similarity to oregano and is a good companion herb for basil. Gardeners can also grow basils and marjoram in the same pot or container. Marjoram is a beneficial perennial herb and is used in various dishes. Moreover, it is a resistant herb and can easily grow with little maintenance.
Basil offers good pest control in the garden and repels mosquitoes, aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms. Growing herbs together is also helpful to improve soil fertility, and the physical, chemical, and biological health of the soil. These herbs can be grown in both indoor, and outdoor conditions, so gardeners can enjoy their pleasant aromas throughout the year.
Planting basil along with the above-mentioned herbs is significantly helpful for soil health, soil productivity, and repulsion of insects. In this way, the needs for synthetic chemicals are greatly minimized and gardeners can save a good amount. Moreover, soil health and quality is conserved that helps to produce excellent yield for next season gardening.
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