Companion planting Asparagus & Basil

ETNRedClay 4/25/2014, 6:11 pm

Anyone plant basil with asparagus? My 86-year-old neighbor asked me why I didn't underplant my asparagus with basil...

Wittily, I said, Uh.....

He explained that it provides shade against weeds, since asparagus doesn't cast a shade, and the two plants "helped" each other.

I do some companion planting -- oregano with tomatoes, basil with peppers.... and happens I have a LOT of basil, wanted ONE of 5 kinds, seeded 3-4 in each cup and they ALL came up. But just planted my asparagus bed last summer, so am cautious...

**walshevak** 4/25/2014, 6:47 pm

An Edible Aesthetic. Ferny fronds of asparagus are a beautiful addition to edible landscaping beds, and asparagus stems make great filler material in flower arrangements.

Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/growing-asparagus-zmaz10djzraw.aspx#ixzz2zwNFBdSn

I found this: Asparagus grows from crowns under the soil surface, and it does not compete well with other plants, so a deep annual mulching is very important.

And I also found this.

Companion planting[edit]
Asparagus is a useful companion plant for tomatoes. The tomato plant repels the asparagus beetle, as do several other common companion plants of tomatoes. Meanwhile, asparagus may repel some harmful root nematodes that affect tomato plants.^[26]

^{This wikipedia listing referenced another site that referenced this book.}

[238]Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.

A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

[b][b]Other Uses[/b][/b]
Insecticide. The plant contains asparagusic acid, which has nematocidal properties[238].

I saw a picture of asparagus and nasturtiums growing together and I can picture Purple basil and Thai basil blooming in front of the ferns. Thai basil was beautiful blooming in with my impatiens last year.

Kay


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Companion planting Asparagus & Basil

Companion planting Asparagus & Basil

Re: Companion planting Asparagus & Basil