Companion Planting Herbs: Grow These Herbs Together for Maximized Yield and Vibrant Growth
Liven Up Your Kitchen and Garden with These Herb Combinations
🌿 Top Picks for a Thriving, Flavor-Packed Garden 🌿
Want to grow your own herbs for unparalleled flavor in your cooking? Look no further! We've gathered expert tips on which herbs grow best together, along with recommendations for those tasty dishes they'll elevate.
"I plant herbs principally for their culinary applications," reveals Stephanie Lucas, Horticulture and Operations Director for Madison Square Park. "They can be used not only to season a wide variety of foods but also to attract helpful pollinators to your garden."
Here's our curated list of fast-growing herbs to plant now, enjoy throughout the summer, and savor in your favorite dishes.
Herb Squad Partner-in-Crime 🌿🍽️
- Thyme, Chives, Basil, Parsley, and Oregano
- Revel in their mutual fondness for the same growing conditions and bring out the best of these seasoning stars in your homemade pizza, any chicken dish, or even a gourmet salad!
- Mint, Basil, and Cilantro
- Shining brightest in the sun and well-watered soil, these trio of flavors are ideal for both refreshing beverages and sizzling dishes. However, beware the territorial leanings of mint, and consider growing it in pots to keep the peace with other garden inhabitants.
- Rosemary, Sage, and Lavender
- Happy together in dry, sunny conditions, these perennial powerhouses offer a potent punch of fragrance and flavor. They'll be at home in Mediterranean-style gardens, adding depth to roasted meats, squash dishes, and aromatic teas.
- Chamomile, Mint, and Lemon Balm
- Grown in either containers or the ground, these herbs will charm bees and pollinators while providing ingredients for teas, desserts, and cocktails throughout the year. Simply harvest the flowers and dry them for long-term enjoyment.
Tending to Your Herb Garden
Some helpful hints on providing the perfect environment for these flavorful gardens:
- Mint: Full sun to partial shade, and well-draining soil is the key to producing robust, flavorful mint. Don't forget to remove the flowers to encourage continuous growth.
- Chamomile: This delicate herb flourishes in full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, and doesn't require fertilizer.
- Lemon balm: Achieve optimal growth by planting it in moist, well-draining soil.
- Chives, parsley, and basil: During growing season, these herbs benefit from a balanced fertilizer (equal parts potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus).
- Thyme, oregano, cilantro, rosemary, sage, and lavender: These herbs require full sun, well-draining soil, and usually don't need additional fertilizer.
- For indoor gardening enthusiasts, a mix of house plants such as chives, parsley, basil, and oregano can thrive and provide fresh herbs for your cooking.
- Realsimple suggests combining home-and-garden favorites like mint, basil, and cilantro in an outdoor garden to enhance the flavors in both refreshing beverages and summer dishes.
- To create a Mediterranean-inspired lifestyle, consider planting rosemary, sage, and lavender together in a sunny spot for an aromatic and flavorful garden.
- For a pollinator-friendly herb garden, consider growing chamomile, mint, and lemon balm, both in containers and the ground, to attract bees and enjoy their delicate flavors in teas and desserts all year round.
