WATCH YOUR GARDEN GROW

Planning is now starting for my infusion herb garden.  This will be a three-pronged consideration – to benefit from companion planting, well-being properties and flavour.  It’s important to increase biodiversity and using what I have read so far these are top of my list.

• Basil
• Borage
• Chives
• Cilantro
• Lavender
• Mint
• Oregano
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme

What we choose to plant will in most cases be dictated by kitchen requirements and the plants most suitable for the hungarian climate.  Whilst trawling the net I came across ‘companion planting’ and decided to investigate this further before makiing final decisions of the crop.

WHAT IS COMPANION PLANTING?

Companion planting is an old tradition where specific plants or herbs are planted alongside the vegetable plants to protect the produce or enhance their growth.

There companionship works in one of three ways.

i)  Increase attraction of beneficial insects to the veg patch, for example bees which will aid pollination to give you a bigger crop.

iii) As a “sacrificial crop” because they are attractive enough to lure pests (such as caterpillars) away from the crop.

I found this a particularly good article.

https://www.thespruce.com/companion-planting-with-chart-5025124