Companion Planting with Summer Savory: A Gardener’s Guide
Companion planting is a time-tested gardening practice where plants are grown together to support each other’s growth, deter pests, and enhance flavor. Summer savory (Satureja hortensis), with its aromatic leaves and pest-repelling qualities, is an excellent companion plant for various herbs and vegetables.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to use summer savory effectively in your garden and which plants benefit most from growing nearby.
Why Use Summer Savory in Companion Planting?
Summer savory offers several benefits as a companion plant:
- Pest Deterrent: Its strong aroma repels pests like aphids, whiteflies, and bean beetles.
- Pollinator Attraction: When in bloom, summer savory’s flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects.
- Improved Flavor: Some gardeners claim that growing summer savory near certain vegetables enhances their taste.
- Compact Growth: Its bushy, upright form fits well in tight spaces, making it a low-maintenance addition to garden beds.
Best Plants to Grow with Summer Savory
1. Beans and Peas
- Why It Works: Known as the “bean herb,” summer savory repels bean beetles and aphids, common pests for legumes.
- Flavor Boost: It’s believed to enhance the flavor of beans and peas when grown nearby.
- Placement Tip: Plant summer savory in rows alongside beans or intersperse it within pea trellises.
2. Tomatoes
- Why It Works: Summer savory deters whiteflies and improves the overall growth of tomatoes.
- Flavor Compatibility: Both plants complement each other in the garden and the kitchen, making them natural companions.
3. Onions, Garlic, and Shallots
- Why It Works: Summer savory helps repel pests like onion maggots and discourages aphids that may attack alliums.
- Mutual Benefits: Alliums thrive near summer savory without competing for nutrients.
4. Cabbage and Brassicas
- Why It Works: Summer savory is effective at repelling cabbage moths, which can damage cabbage, kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.
- Added Protection: Pair summer savory with other pest-repelling herbs like dill or rosemary for extra defense.
5. Carrots
- Why It Works: Summer savory’s aroma helps mask the scent of carrots, deterring pests like carrot flies.
- Improved Growth: It’s a low-profile companion that doesn’t compete for sunlight or nutrients.
6. Other Herbs
- Parsley, Thyme, and Basil:
- These herbs thrive alongside summer savory as they share similar growing conditions (full sun and well-drained soil).
- Summer savory’s pest-repelling properties also benefit these herbs.
Plants to Avoid Planting Near Summer Savory
1. Mint
- Why Not: Mint is highly invasive and can quickly overtake summer savory, competing for nutrients and space.
- Alternative Solution: Grow mint in a separate container to keep it from spreading.
2. Dill and Fennel
- Why Not: These plants can stunt the growth of summer savory and compete for resources, leading to weaker plants.
How to Incorporate Summer Savory in Companion Planting
1. Interplanting
- Scatter summer savory among your vegetable rows to maximize its pest-deterring properties.
2. Edges and Borders
- Plant summer savory along garden borders to act as a natural pest barrier.
3. Herb Spirals or Raised Beds
- Integrate summer savory with other herbs and vegetables in a spiral or raised bed design for efficient use of space.
Additional Tips for Companion Planting with Summer Savory
- Soil Preparation: Ensure the soil is well-drained and fertile to support both summer savory and its companions.
- Spacing: Maintain 6–8 inches between summer savory and its companion plants to allow for healthy airflow and growth.
- Regular Harvesting: Prune summer savory regularly to encourage bushy growth and prevent it from overshadowing smaller plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does summer savory benefit all plants?
No, while it pairs well with many herbs and vegetables, it should not be planted near invasive or resource-intensive plants like mint or fennel.
2. Can summer savory grow in a container garden?
Yes! Summer savory thrives in containers and can be strategically placed near companion plants like tomatoes or beans in pots.
3. How does summer savory repel pests?
The essential oils in summer savory’s leaves emit a strong aroma that deters common garden pests like aphids, whiteflies, and bean beetles.
Conclusion
Companion planting with summer savory is a simple yet effective way to enhance your garden’s productivity and health. Its pest-repelling properties, pollinator attraction, and flavor-enhancing qualities make it a valuable addition to any vegetable or herb garden. Whether you’re growing beans, tomatoes, or cabbage, summer savory can be your garden’s unsung hero.
