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Crop Rotation and Planting Companion Herbs in your herb garden is a good start towards natural pest control

What is crop rotation?

Crop rotation can be for the benefit of better garden pest control, or to protect against depletion of specific soil nutrients. It is simply the practice of never planting the same crop or plant in the same location in consecutive seasons.

Crop rotation is one of the oldest and most successful pest control practices in agriculture, organic or not. Most insects need time to become established in the soil. They may take two to three seasons to establish their their life cycle. By practicing plant rotation and varying the type of plants grown in a particular area of your herb garden from year to year, you can avoid establishing plant specific types of garden pests.

Select your companion herbs based on more than which pests are deterred.

The idea that herbs make good companion plants has been around a long time. Some of the earliest written documents on gardening discuss the relationship between herbs and other herb garden plants and vegetables.

Ask yourself what each plant adds or takes away from the soil. Think of the effect, if any, that the proximity of strong herbs may have on the flavor of your vegetables. Also consider root depth and the draw each plant has on garden fertility. Try to keep rows of hungry plants spread throughout your herb garden. Think of what you might plan to sow in the same spot next year. Give thought to the use of companion plants: Another form of positive organic pest control.

Companion Herb Chart

Garden Herb - Planted as Companion to - Garden Pests Repelled

  1. Angelica - avoid Dill - no known pests repelled

  2. Basil - Companion to Tomatoes, dislikes Rue - Repels flies and Mosquitoes

  3. Borage - Companion to Tomatoes, Strawberries and Squash - Repels Tomato Worm

  4. Caraway - Loosens the soil; avoid Dill - No pests repelled

  5. Calendula - Deters Most insects

  6. Catnip - Companion to Eggplant - Repels Flea Beetle, Ants

  7. Chamomile - Cabbage, Onion - No pests repelled

  8. Coriander - No Companion - It repels Aphids

  9. Chervil - Companion to Radish - no pests repelled

  10. Chives - Companion to Carrots - no pests repelled

  11. Dill - Cabbage, carrots & caraway all dislike Dill!

  12. Fennel - Most plants dislike this herb!

  13. Feverfew - Companion to Roses - It attracts aphids away

  14. Garlic - Companion to Roses and Raspberries - Repels Japanese Beetle and Aphids

  15. Horseradish - Companion to Potatoes - Repels Potato Bug

  16. Hyssop - Plant near Cabbage and Grapes, but dislikes radishes - Repels the Cabbage Moth

  17. Lavender - no interaction

  18. Marigolds - Plant throughout the garden - Repels Mexican Bean Beetles, Nematodes

  19. Mint - Plant near Cabbage, Tomatoes - Repels White cabbage moth, aphids, flea beetles

  20. Nasturtium - Likes Radishes, Cabbage - Repels Aphids, Squash Bugs, Striped Pumpkin Beetle

  21. Pennyroyal - Plant it with Roses - Repels Flies, Mosquitoes, Fleas, plus others!

  22. Radish - Deters Cucumber Beetle

  23. Rosemary - Plant near Cabbage, Bean, Carrot, Sage - Repels Cabbage Moth, Bean Beetle, Carrot Fly

  24. Rue - Near Roses, dislikes sweet basil - Repels Japanese Beetles

  25. Sage - With Rosemary, Cabbage, Carrots - Repels Cabbage Moth, Carrot Fly

  26. Summer Savory - With Beans - Repels Bean Beetles

  27. Tansy - Deters Japanese Beetle, striped cucumber beetle, squash bugs and ants

  28. Thyme - Should accompany Cabbage - Repels Cabbage Moth and worm

  29. Yarrow - Plant near aromatic herbs to boost production of essential oils

Thomas Kueny – Publisher        http://www.growing-herbs.com