Can Basil and Garlic be planted together? Of course, Garlic is a beneficial herb to plant near Basil because it helps repel aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies.
Garlic is a species of bulbous flowering plant in the genus Allium. Garlic is an herb related to onions, chives, and leeks. It is commonly used for conditions related to the heart and blood system. Basil is an herb in the mint family. It adds flavor to meals, and its nutrients may provide health benefits.
With all said convenience, do you simply want to know if Garlic can be planted with Basil? Then, you’ll have to take note of the benefits of companion planting.
Quick Answer: Yes, Basil and Garlic can be planted together. By doing so, the Basil and Garlic plants improve the flavor of each other when grown together. Be sure to space these plants out so they have enough room to grow i.e. don’t overcrowd them.
Here’s an article, discussing the benefits of Companion planting as it would shed the light more on the benefits of pairing these herbs when planting them.
The Benefits of Companion Planting
Companion plants will either help a specific crop grow or will grow better beside a specific crop, and can do many support jobs in the garden.
1. Attract beneficial insects
Pollinators like bees and ladybugs can use a little encouragement to visit vegetable gardens and pollinate the crops. Gardeners often plant attractive plants like borage flowers to encourage pollinators to visit.
2. Improve soil nutrients
There are many companion plants (like bush beans and pole beans) that add nutrients like nitrogen back into the soil, helping keep other plants healthy and well-fed.
3. Encourage faster growth or better taste
Many companion plants (like marjoram, chamomile, and summer savory) release specific chemicals that encourage faster growth or better taste in the plants around them, leading to quicker and better harvest for home gardeners.
4. Repel insect pests
Many companion plants repel specific pests and should be planted near certain crops to keep them pest-free.
5. Provide necessary shade
Plants that grow tall and leafy can provide welcome shade for sun-sensitive plants beneath them.
Various Companion Plants That Grow Well With Basil
Basil, thanks to its highly fragrant leaves, might be considered beneficent in the realm of the vegetable garden. Here are a few common plants that benefit from growing basil.
- Garlic
- Borage
- Asparagus
- Chives, oregano, chamomile
- Peppers
- Root vegetables
- Marigolds
- Tomatoes.
Basil grows well next to many plants, but there are a couple of plants to avoid growing near Basil.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you plant with Garlic?
Can you grow Garlic next to herbs?
If you want to plant your garlic with herbs, try chamomile. Chamomile can help improve the flavor of garlic. Another herb that pairs well with garlic is RUE. Rue is a strongly scented herb known to keep flies and maggots away, so it can help prevent maggots from attacking your plants.
Can I put Garlic in my soil?
Yes, you can! If you have a head of garlic or a few cloves still intact, follow these steps to properly plant it. Break the garlic heads apart, being careful to keep the papery wrapper around each clove intact. Only plant the largest cloves.
Does Garlic deplete soil?
Perform a soil test every few years as garlic can deplete your soil of important nutrients. Hardneck Garlic grows best in soil that has a neutral to acidic pH, specifically around 6.5 to 7.0. Garlic also needs several nutrients and natural elements to thrive.
How long do Basil plants live?
The basil plant’s lifespan differs depending on how you take care of it. If it is grown inside where there is less threat from cold winters, it may survive for six months. However, if grown in the ground, basil lives for about four to five months in warm, sunny conditions.
Conclusion
We hope that this article on “Can you Plant Basil with Garlic” has helped in clearing up any form of confusion surrounding it.
This article has helped highlight the benefits of companion planting, whilst highlighting that it is advantageous to plant basil with garlic.
Furthermore, we highlighted other plants that can be planted with basil, to produce good results. And we believe, you are now more aware of the possibility of planting both basil and garlic together.