Good neighbors for kitchen herbs: chives, parsley & co.

Which herbs should you plant and why?

Herbs can be a great addition to the vegetable patch. The substances that we perceive through smell and taste also make a decisive difference in mixed cultivation. Herbs in the vegetable patch can ensure that vegetables are particularly tasty, attract beneficial insects and keep so-called pests away. In addition, herbs usually take up little space and are therefore ideal for filling gaps in the vegetable patch.

Aromatic herbs, medicinal herbs and culinary herbs

Aromatic herbs, medicinal herbs, fragrant herbs, culinary herbs - all these names reflect the special nature of these plants. Botanically speaking, herbs are plants whose above-ground shoots are not or barely woody. Many herbs are annuals and die towards the end of the growing season. In contrast, there are biennial or perennial herbs (herbaceous perennials). These plants overwinter with renewal buds lying close to the ground or underground and can therefore sprout again the following year.

Apart from this definition, we associate herbs in particular with their fragrance and aroma - they are irreplaceable in the kitchen. However, the boundaries between aromatic herbs, medicinal herbs and culinary herbs are blurred. There are certain herbs that are cultivated for their healing powers and for medicinal purposes. However, fresh culinary herbs from your garden are always rich in valuable ingredients whose health-promoting effects you can take advantage of. The spectrum ranges from antibacterial, anti-rheumatic and expectorant to calming or digestive effects. The right preparation and dose are important. First of all, however, you can simply enjoy the freshness and flavor, and the good ingredients are there when you eat them.

Planning mixed cultivation with herbs and vegetables

When combining herbs and vegetables, the same principles apply as always in mixed cultivation:

• Observeplanting distances
• If possible, do not plant plants of the same family next to each other or one after the other in the same place
• Distinguish between strong and weak eaters
• Pay attention toroot space and growth habit

When growing culinary herbs, you should of course also consider the requirements and origin of the plants.

• Although not all mediterranean herbs originally come from the mediterranean, they are native to the region and are now an integral part of the cuisine. These include oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, basil and lavender. These plants thrive in sunny locations and cope better with the hot summers. On the other hand, they are more sensitive to harsh weather and frost.
• Native herbs, on the other hand, can also be found wild in our latitudes. These include wild garlic, lovage, chives, borage and woodruff. These usually feel at home in partial shade and with a little more moisture.

Examples of mixed crops with herbs

Here we present a few examples of the best-known culinary herbs with their good and bad neighbors. However, the following is about mixed vegetable-herb cultures. If you are interested in which herbs go well together, please read our article on this. There you will also find a table with good and bad neighbors for herbs.

Basil: Good neighbors in mixed cultivation

Location: Even though we primarily associate basil (Ocimum basilicum) with Italy today, the plant originally comes from India. It grows best in the sunniest spot in your garden in nutritious, well-drained soil. In mixed cultivation, basil is effective against mildew, whitefly and cabbage whitefly infestation and attracts pollinating insects.

Good neighbors: bell pepper, cabbage, chili, cucumber, fennel, pumpkin, tomato, zucchini.

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Rosemary: suitable neighbors in the bed

Location: As a typical Mediterranean plant, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is best planted in a sunny spot in your garden. Poor, humus-rich, well-drained soil is best.

Good neighbors: Carrots

What goes well with thyme?

Location: Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) should also be planted in a sunny, sheltered location. The herb likes well-drained, loose, calcareous soil.

Good neighbors: Brussels sprouts, Chinese cabbage, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, chilli, horseradish, kohlrabi, pak choi, palm kale, peppers, savoy cabbage, white cabbage.

Good neighbors for borage

Location: Borage (Borago officinalis) with its rough leaves is best planted in a sunny spot with nutritious, fresh to moist soil.

Good neighbors: brussels sprouts, chinese cabbage, bell pepper, bush bean, cauliflower, chili, cucumber, field bean, garden lettuce, head cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, pak choi, palm cabbage, pea, potato, radicchio, runner bean, savoy cabbage, white cabbage, zucchini.

Chives: Which vegetables go well with them?

Location: Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) grow in sunny to semi-shady locations with nutritious, not too moist soil.

Good neighbors: bulbous fennel, cabbage, carrots, celery, kohlrabi, parsnip, radicchio, spinach, tomatoes, white cabbage.

Peppermint: What makes a good neighbor?

Location: Mint (Mentha spec.) thrives best in sunny to semi-shady locations. Nutritious, moist soil is best for the plant. If you would like to find out more about different types of mint , you can read the article on this subject. In mixed cultivation, mint should ideally be planted with a root barrier, otherwise the plant will spread by itself in the bed.

Good neighbors: brussels sprouts, chinese cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, garden lettuce, kale, kohlrabi, pak choi, palm kale, potato, savoy cabbage, tomato, white cabbage.

Dill: Good neighbors in mixed cultivation

Location: Garden dill (Anethum graveolens) grows in deep, nutritious, fresh soil in sunny locations. Dill produces a better aroma in mixed cultivation with root vegetables as a positive effect.

Good neighbors: brussels sprouts, chinese cabbage, asparagus, bean, beet, bell pepper, broccoli, burke, carrot, cauliflower, chilli, garden salad, kale, kohlrabi, onions, pak choi, palm cabbage, pea, radicchio, rutabaga, savoy cabbage, spring onion, turnip, white cabbage.

Parsley: Which vegetables to plant together?

Location: Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is the number one culinary herb. It grows well in semi-shady locations in humus-rich, moist soil. You should plant parsley in a different place in the bed every year because it is incompatible with itself. In mixed cultivation, parsley repels various pests.

Good neighbors: asparagus, bell pepper, chilli, cucumber, kale, onion, palm kale, spring onion, tomato.

What goes well with lavender?

Location: Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) should be planted in sunny locations with well-drained, calcareous, dry soil. The plant works in mixed cultivation by repelling ants and attracting pollinating insects. You can plant it as a border.

Good neighbors: peppers, chili

Table: Mixed herb and vegetable cultivation with good neighbors

Examples of your vegetable patch with herbs

For inspiration, you can find a few planting plans with vegetables and herbs here. Your diverse mixed crop is sure to succeed!

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Cover image: Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash