Companion planting flowers and herbs can provide you with a beautiful pot to showcase indoors or out. It can be a fun and interesting hobby with a huge benefit for your health and wallet. You will have access to delicious and nutritious ingredients for your favorite recipes. You can explore new recipes as well, once you have a steady supply of flowers and herbs.
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The real question is how to best grow them.
You can line everything up in little pots on your ledge or window box, or you can plant in combination.
Companion Planting
Companion planting can create attractive displays. And if you choose plants that go well together, they will make the most of the soil by not competing for the same minerals.
Planting flowers and herbs together for a particular use also means you have everything in one place when you want to create a recipe. It also helps with harvesting, so you make the most of what you’ve planted by regularly going around your containers in rotation to snip the top portions of the plants to use them fresh, or to dry for later use.
When companion planting, consider the following important elements so your plants will live in harmony together and thrive.
The Right Container
Many herbs and flowers can grow well in small pots, but there are some that will start to crowd themselves and any other flowers or herbs. Look at the instructions on the seed packets but know that this is a guide. When you are using companion planting principles you will be using an intensive method that will not work with the instructions on the packet.
The Right Soil
Some herbs can grow well in any soil, while others need a richer soil. In general, good-quality potting soil will work for most plants. The majority of plants you will use in containers need to dry out so it is important to ensure the soil will drain well.
The Right Moisture and Drainage
Some plants do require more moisture. Others need a drier soil with good draining. This can be a delicate balancing act. When planting together place plants that need drier soil on the edges, and moisture loving plants in the center. Remember, if the herbs and flowers are too wet, they can develop mildew and will be unusable.
The Right Light
When companion planting combine plants that have a similar light requirement. When you are creating containers think about where you want to place your container in your home or garden so they can thrive in the right lighting conditions.
Companion Planting Combinations
The following combinations will help you create tasty recipes.
Bouquet Garni Herb Garden
Bouquet garni is a combination of herbs used to flavor soups and stews. The herbs are wrapped in cloth or tied with a ribbon. After simmering your food, you discard the herb bundle before eating. You can grow all the traditional herbs you need in a 20-inch pot (or larger if you wish).
The traditional herbs are rosemary, thyme, sage, and small bay laurel. Harvest as needed or dry for future use if you wish.
Ice Cream Herb Garden
You can make your own delicious ice creams and sorbets using edible flowers and herbs. In a 20-inch or larger pot, plant anise hyssop, lemon verbena and rose geranium. For sorbets, try mint, thyme and lemon verbena.
Note that mint will take up as much room as you give it, so plant it in a smaller pot first and then transfer to the container.
Mexican Herb Garden
If you love Mexican food, this container garden will keep you supplied with all the essentials. Get a 20-inch pot and plant cilantro, oregano and thyme. You can also add parsley, either curly or flat-leaf, which has a stronger taste.
Lemonade Garden
There’s nothing more refreshing than homemade lemonade. Enhance its taste and appearance with herbs. In a 20-inch pot, plant lemon balm, lemon mint, and lemon basil.
Pizza Garden
This outdoor container garden is sure to be family favorite. Get a 22-inch or larger pot and place it close to a wall or a trellis. Add bush tomato plants, which will eventually start to grow upwards on the trellis. Add oregano and basil, for all the makings of your own homemade sauce for pizza and pasta.
Creating a planter full of companion herbs or vegetables can be a great way to start adding fresh ingredients to your kitchen. Your taste buds will thank you.
