Companion Planting Herbs, Autumn Season - Gardening Western Australia

1. Gardening WA
2005 Autumn Season
Fact sheet
Segment Title: Companion Planting Herbs
Episode 9: Veggies, Fruit & All That’s Home Grown
Presenter: Kate Main
Whether you’re spicing up a dish, need remedies for ailments or want to keep insects at bay there’s a herb for
you. Most herbs are rapid growers and need very fertile conditions with regular feeding during the growing
season.
Most herbs are herbaceous perennials, which have a dormant period. They should be cut back hard at this
stage when they look scruffy. It’s a good idea not to apply fertilisers at this time as they will be wasted.
Compost and mulch are very important though, as is water. This is especially true of those plants grown in
pots. In hot weather the soil needs to be kept moist, but not wet.
Some herbs can, due to their vigorous nature, become a weed if grown in an inappropriate location and for
example, it is always recommend that mint be grown in a pot.
Herbs are fabulous in the veggie patch because many are companion plants and ward off insects. Some
favourites are:
CHAMOMILE
Chamomile is an evergreen, mat forming perennial, with fine light green, feather-like divided leaves. It can
grow to 30cm in height, although it is often cut shorter and grown as a lawn. It grows well in sun or partial
shade and is tolerant of frosts and foot traffic. It prefers a moist, but well drained, fertile soil and it’s a good
idea to build up soil with lots of organic matter before planting. Companion plant that will go well near it are
onions, the chamomile will improve their flavour. Others are cabbages and cucurbits. If grown as a lawn
chamomile will tend to repel insects.
Uses: Flowers believed to repel fleas, flies and some other insects. The flowers can be used in teas, for
culinary and medicinal purposes. Or as an attractive lawn which rarely needs mowing!
CHIVES
Chives are small bulb forming, lily-like plant that grow to a height of approximately 20cm, and produce a
mauve flower ball up to 15 mm diameter.
Growing Conditions: Chives need full sun or semi shade with an open or protected position and grow best in
a temperate to tropical climates. The plant prefers well drained, moist, fertile soils. Cut and fertilise your
plant regularly.
Useful in repelling both air- and soil-borne pests, so may be beneficial to other susceptible plants such as
roses, fruit trees, grapes, cucurbits (eg. pumpkin, cucumber), brassicas (eg. cabbage, cauliflower), tomatoes
and carrots.
Uses: Culinary, medicinal, and repellent properties. The leaves can be used to flavour savoury foods, such as
meats or vegetables, or can be chopped as a garnish (e.g. for herb breads and soups)

2. CORIANDER
Coriander is a hardy annual that grows to a height of 30cm. Its flowers are small and pink, and its fruits are
small, round balls that turn from green to brown as they dry out. Coriander prefers a moist, fertile, well
drained soil and grows similar to parsley. It does go to seed quickly in warmer weather. Companion plant that
will go well near it are radish and spinach as the coriander will germinate and develop quicker, also potatoes.
Do not plant near roses. Coriander is said to repel aphids.
Uses: Coriander seeds are used to flavour cakes and breads, they taste sensational in curries and savoury
dishes. The leaves are used extensively in Asian cooking and the oil is used as a medicine for nausea. The
plant does attract bees when in flower.
GARLIC (Allium sativum)
Garlic is a hardy, clump forming plant that grows to 70cm in height. It has green to blue-green foliage, and
white to pinkish flowers. It grows best in full sun. Spells of cold weather (ie. below 10 degrees C) are needed
before planting the cloves), otherwise the foliage doesn't develop properly. Cold weather after planting
however, can slow development and reduce the crop. In most places cloves are planted over autumn or winter
and harvested 6-9 months later.
Culture: The plant prefers a rich, moist, fertile, well drained soil. Make sure to add some lime when you add
compost and manure. The foliage will die back to the roots ('cloves') in cool winter areas and regrow in the
spring. It is a good companion plant for most other plants due to its disease repelling feature. Good for fruit
trees (for the control of borers), peach trees (for the reduction on peach leaf curl disease), roses (for
protection from black spot and some pests). Beneficial combination would be with carrots and tomatoes.
Garlic sprays can be effective against many pests and diseases, but should be used fresh for best results
(make up the spray and use it immediately).
LEMON GRASS
Lemon grass is a semi-hardy clump forming grass that grows to 1.8 m tall. It prefers full sun to light shade.
Culture: The plant prefers a moist, well-drained, organic rich soil or compost. One or two applications of
compost or manure each year is beneficial. Frequent watering in the warmer months will promote rapid
growth. It’s a good idea to cut back hard or divided the clump at the end of winter to allow fresh shoots to
grow freely. It seems to grow well beside most mint family herbs including lemon balm, mentha and salvia.
It is useful as a border planting to keep vigorous grasses out of garden beds.
Uses: Leaves are used fresh or dry to make lemon grass tea. Stems are used extensively in Asian cooking.
Herbs are multi-purpose. They add flavour to your meal and they can protect other plants in your garden.
Great reasons to plant them now!
Products featured in this segment: Baileys Potting Mix
Bailey’s products are available from Bunnings and all leading garden centres