Some companion plants help tomatoes by attracting beneficial insects, improving soil health and reducing pests. By using this planting technique, gardeners will be rewarded with juicy, red, pest-free fruits.
According to Martha Stewart, basil and tomatoes share a “mutually beneficial relationship”.
Tomatoes can help to improve basil’s growth and enhance its flavour, and in turn, basil can “repel” tomato pests such as hornworms.
Other pests deterred by basil’s strong scent include aphids, whiteflies, and thrips, which can damage tomato plants by feeding on their leaves and stems.
Basil isn’t a heavy feeder, so it won’t steal the nutrients from tomatoes, and so it can be planted in the same soil as tomatoes, which need to be fed regularly.
The herb, which is a handy one to have in the garden, also acts as an early warning sign of potential diseases, with its leaves developing mildew or other signs before it reaches its companions.
When it comes to taste, there isn’t any scientific evidence to show basil improves the taste of tomatoes, but some believe that growing the herb near the plant improves the flavour and yield.
When basil is in bloom, it also attracts beneficial insects to pollinate tomatoes. These pollinators will help to support the overall health of the garden.
It’s important to care for the tomatoes in other ways, too, including feeding them regularly and watering them regularly.
Tomatoes love full sun for up to eight hours a day, so they may need watering twice a day in hot weather.
Basil grows well next to many different plants and can actually improve the taste of its neighbours.
Vegetables like carrots, peppers and courgettes can benefit from being planted close to the herb, as can oregano and parsley.
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