Companion planting is used by gardeners to get better results from their veggie patch.
It involves planting two or more plants that complement each other side by side.
And for tomatoes there is one combination so powerful, people who’ve tried it believe it enhances the flavour.
Tomatoes can benefit from being planted next to basil. (Getty)
Just as basil pairs perfectly with tomatoes in the kitchen, it is equally as good, if not more so in the garden.
There are many reasons to plant basil next to tomatoes, however, whether the flavour is actually enhanced by this pairing hasn’t been proven.
But it could be that having basil sharing soil with tomatoes provides so many other benefits that the health of tomatoes improves and in turn impacts the taste.
“Planting basil, or other aromatic herbs with tomatoes is said to improve their flavour,” Julian Blackhirst, head of gardens at The Diggers Club told nine.com.au.
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Basil deters pests and attracts beneficial pollinators. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
“While it is not clear how much difference this makes to flavour, the strong scent of basil helps to keep harmful insects away and attract beneficial insects and pollinators.”
In addition to deterring pests like aphids and mosquitoes, having basil next to tomatoes can alert you to potential problems with tomatoes before they too get infected.
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“Where basil’s greatest strength may lie is as an indicator of potential diseases. Basil often acts as a warning flag, as its tender leaves tend to develop powdery mildew, downy mildew, or other diseases before other plants do,” Melissa Straus wrote in an article for Epic Gardening.
“Tomatoes are still prone to powdery mildew, but basil can act as the first alarm when you start seeing it appear.
“This can inform you that your tomatoes are at risk from a fungal attacker and help you to prevent it before disease sets in.”
There are benefits for basil as well with tomatoes shading the herb from the harsh summer sun. This helps with preventing the basil from bolting, which is when it stops growing leaves and starts growing flowers instead.
Planting basil and tomatoes next to each other works perfectly because they like the same soil type and nutrients and level of moisture.
If you don’t have a large enough container, plant basil in a pot next to your tomatoes. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
For container gardeners wanting to try this combination, planting basil and tomatoes together in a large container or raised garden bed is best.
If larger containers aren’t an option then use separate pots placed next to each other for the pest deterrent affect.
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There are other things you can do in addition to, or instead of planting basil to improve the health and yield of your tomato plants.
One of those is providing soil with plenty of calcium.
“An application of garden lime at planting time helps to provide calcium to the plants right through the season. Another great source of calcium is crushed egg shells which can be scattered around the rootzone of the plants as they’re growing,” Blackhirst said.
Tomato seedlings can be planted with half their stem under the ground. (Getty)
The flavour of tomatoes can also be enhanced by ensuring they have enough water and fertiliser while they are fruiting.
“Well prepared soil with plenty of compost can be supplemented with a weekly application of liquid fertiliser. The soil should be kept consistently moist with regular watering and a thick mulch,” Blackhirst explained.
And if your seedlings are looking leggy, this doesn’t mean your plant won’t thrive as there is a planting hack that can restore them.
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42 Days and Tommy Toe tomatoes are delicious varieties of tomatoes. (The Diggers Club)
“Tomatoes can be planted with half the stem under the soil. Wherever the stem is buried new roots will form, which gives the plant a stronger root system. This method is particularly useful when seedlings have become too tall or leggy, but is not always necessary when planting smaller plants,” Blackhirst said.
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