How to intercrop basil
How to intercrop basil
Basil (Ocimum basilicum, L., 1753) is an annual plant of the Lamiaceae family, normally cultivated as an aromatic plant.
This plant is native to India and is a plant typically used in Italian cuisine and in Asian cuisines in Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, due to the marked scent of its leaves, which depending on the variety can be more or less sweet or pungent.
To grow basil, remember that it grows well when the sun is abundant and the temperature is between 20 °C and 25 °C, as in the Mediterranean climate. At higher temperatures it requires higher humidity, and does not resist temperatures below 10 °C.
This plant likes frequent watering, but with well-drained soil, as water stagnation is harmful to the roots.
It can be easily grown both in the vegetable garden and in pots.
When harvesting it, take into account that the flowering period is between June and September.
Basil plants must be regularly trimmed, removing the vegetative tips and flowers, to allow luxuriant growth and to lengthen the life cycle, which ends with the production of seeds.
On stems left to flower, leaf growth slows and stops, the stem becomes woody, and the production of the essential oil that produces the perfume drops.
The seeds can, however, be sown the following year.
Basil benefits greatly from intercropping and in turn is a very useful plant to include with other vegetables.
Among these we remember: asparagus, borage, carrots, cucumber, bean, oregano, perilla, pepper, tomato, parsley, radish and other plants.
It is also important to know which plants to avoid planting near basil, such as rue, sage and fennel.
Let’s see, specifically, the effects of intercropping with some plants:
Tomatoes: Basil and tomatoes are considered a classic combination. Basil can improve the flavor of tomatoes and help repel insects such as flies and mosquitoes.
Peppers: As with tomatoes, basil can improve the growth and flavor of peppers and help protect them from insects.
Asparagus: Basil helps repel aphids, which can damage asparagus.
Oregano: Combining basil with oregano can help improve the flavor of both and create natural protection against some parasites.
Carrots: Basil can help improve the growth of carrots and repel carrot flies.
Borage: Borage is a good plant to pair with basil because it attracts pollinating insects and can improve the growth of basil.
Radishes: Planting radishes near basil can be beneficial to both, as they can help each other repel some insects.
Parsley: Parsley can also be a good companion for basil, improving the overall health of the garden.
Among the species to avoid planting next to basil, as mentioned, are rue, sage and fennel:
Rue: Rue can inhibit the growth of basil.
Sage: Basil does not grow well near sage.
Fennel: Fennel can reduce the growth of basil and other plants.
In any case, when choosing the intercropping, it is always necessary to evaluate the mutual climatic and pedological needs and irrigation needs.