One of life’s greatest pleasures might well be harvesting fresh herbs from your summertime garden. Among these, basil (Ocimum basilicum) stands out as an exceptionally useful addition for both gardeners and culinary enthusiasts alike. However, when cultivating basil, consider planting chives (Allium schoenoprasum) alongside it. This pairing isn’t just aesthetically pleasing; chives act as natural deterrents against frequent pests that bother basil plants while simultaneously complementing their taste profile.
Similar to most allium species, chives excel at repelling various pests such as aphids, carrot flies, and even deer. Given that aphids often feed on basil, combining these two plants can be particularly beneficial. warding off pests is just one of the numerous advantages.
advantages of interplanting in your garden
However, chives have even more to offer when combined with basil. It is commonly acknowledged that chives aid in boosting basil’s production of essential oils, which consequently improves the flavor of your basil.
Read more:
The Herb You Should Consider Growing In Your Garden For Healthy Soil
Growing Basil And Chives Together
A key point to remember is that basil requires substantial watering. This indicates that numerous Mediterranean herbs will not complement basil well in your garden setting; however, you could consider different combinations.
eager to cultivate your basil close to your tomatoes?
However, since chives do not require fussy growing conditions, they coexist nicely with basil. Provided that chives receive full sun to partial shade and have well-draining soil, they will most likely flourish beside basil’s preference for full sun and moist yet well-drained soil. Just place them next to each other with some space in between, and both plants ought to prosper.
Chives are robust in USDA Zones 4-8, which means they typically return annually and may propagate via self-seeding unless you remove the flowers. Conversely, basil thrives only in Zone 10, leading most gardeners to plant anew each season. Should you encounter an expanding cluster of chives, think about dividing it.
Planting your chives alongside potatoes
Or any of the other plants they complement effectively.
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