What are the best choices in herbs and flowers to plant along side tomatoes and peppers in the garden?

Answer #1 · Maple Tree's Answer · Hi Judith-This is a great question. Companion plants with your tomatoes and pepers will not only help to fill your garden with interesting plants that add other culinary uses but also beautiful color during the summer. Many companion plants besides having culinary uses and flower color are very beneficial in the vegetable garden. Some because of their scent are known to be useful in detering several harmful pests in the garden. Many are also useful in attracting beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies that help to pollinate many flowering plants and vegetables giving you more abundant crops. Some of these beneficial insects are also helpful as they pray on or repel the harmful insects before damaging the garden.

Below are a few flowers, herbs, and vegetables that would work well and are considered good companion plants to the tomato. Click on the plant file links I have noted to go directly to the plant files and see pictures and information on the plants characteristics. Hopefully these will give you some ideas as to some herbs and flowers you can use along with your tomatoes and peppers.

Marigolds are a compact yellow, orange and burgundy annuals with flower shapes that can resemble daisies, coreopsis and carnations. Marigolds are very pest free. In fact, they are often used to keep pests away. Because of their pest repelling qualities, marigolds an an invaluable flower for your vegetable garden.

http://www.gardenality.com/Search/#Tab=Plants&PageIndex=1&PageSize=10&PlantSearch=null&SortBy=undefined&SearchText=Marigolds&Attributes=null

Calendulas (Calendula officinalis) are a wonderful edible flower. Flavors range from spicy to bitter, tangy to peppery. Their sharp taste resembles saffron. Calendula has petals in golden-orange hues. They can be added on soups, pasta or rice dishes, herb butters, and salads as a garnish. Petals add a yellow tint to soups, spreads, and scrambled eggs. Only the pedals are edible.

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/3642/Annual-Plants/Calendula.html

Nasturtiums are a nice colorful flowering plant. They are fast and easy to grow and, in fact, do best with a little neglect. There are varieties for almost every purpose such as a bushy border or edging plant, plant trailing from a pot in the garden, or a more climbing variety for a trellis in the garden. The leaves and flowers are edible, with a peppery tang, and even the seed pods are used as a substitute for capers.

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/1565/Annual-Plants/Whirlybird-Gold-Nasturtium.html

Basil is a member of the mint family and another food companion plant with tomatoes. The extremely aromatic leaves also have a variety of flavors from the slightly lemony-mint of sweet basil to cinnamon, and licorice. The leaves are commonly used in cooking. Leaf colors span from rich green to deep purple, with smooth or crinkled leaves. The flowers are insignificant, but very popular with bees.

http://www.gardenality.com/Search/#Tab=Plants&PageIndex=1&PageSize=10&PlantSearch=null&SortBy=undefined&SearchText=basil&Attributes=null

Sage plants bloom in mid-summer with a blue flower although they are normally grown for their leaves. Sage makes an attractive addition to both herb gardens and ornamental borders. The purple, golden and tri-color varieties work especially well in small groups or as edging plants around your garden.

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/340/Herb-Plants/Tricolor-Sage.html

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/341/Herb-Plants/Purple-Sage.html

Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citriodora, Aloysia triphylla) of all the lemon scented herbs has one of the truest lemon scents. A nice small shrub and a good companion plant for tomatoes.

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/331/Herb-Plants/Lemon-Verbena.html

Zinnias is another flowering annual that will attract pollinators and hummingbirds. Hummingbirds besides being interesting and fun to watch in the garden help in eating pests such as whitflies.

http://www.gardenality.com/Search/#Tab=Plants&PageIndex=1&PageSize=10&PlantSearch=null&SortBy=undefined&SearchText=Zinnia&Attributes=null

Geranium are also a beautiful sun loving flowering plant that will repel some insects while attracting others to their foliage which in turn kills them.

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/439/Annual-Plants/Zonal-Geranium.html

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/1023/Annual-Plants/Patriot-Salmon-Geranium.html

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/440/Annual-Plants/Ivy-Geranium-Group.html

Petunias are another one of nature's version of a pesticide. Although a great colorful annual for summer they repel a variety of pest including the tomato worm. They are also known to be effective againsst some types of aphids and beetles.

http://www.gardenality.com/Search/#Tab=Plants&PageIndex=1&PageSize=10&PlantSearch=null&SortBy=undefined&SearchText=petunia&Attributes=null

Borage (Borago officinalis) is known by many as being a very beneficial companion plant for tomatoes. I am not acquainted or have seen this plant myself but It is an easily grown ornamental plant that attracts beneficial pollinators at the same time insects that will prey on the bad ones. I felt this plant may be an interesting one you would like to look into. Although there seems to be no real scientific proof but many believe the attracted bees and wasps help to repel the tomato hornworms and cabbage moths. Borage is also know as Starflower and has a lavender star-shaped flower in the late spring and summer. The younger leaves and flowers can be used in salads. The flowers are also used by some as decorations on pastries or desserts.

http://beta.gardenality.com/Plants/3754/Annual-Plants/Borage.html#

Chives, Onions, and Garlic are also beneficial to plant with many types of crops due to the pungent odor they emit. This helps deter many insect pests.

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/319/Herb-Plants/Chives.html

http://www.gardenality.com/Search/#Tab=Plants&PageIndex=1&PageSize=10&PlantSearch=null&SortBy=undefined&SearchText=onions&Attributes=null

http://www.gardenality.com/Search/#Tab=Plants&PageIndex=1&PageSize=10&PlantSearch=null&SortBy=undefined&SearchText=garlic&Attributes=null

Hopefully this has helped give you some ideas for companion plants you may find interesting. Please ask if you have any other questions.

John)