Parsley: A Beneficial Companion for Your Garden
Parsley is a popular herb among gardeners for its culinary and medicinal uses. It’s also a great companion plant, meaning it can help other plants in your garden grow better.
Benefits of Companion Planting with Parsley
Companion planting is the practice of growing certain plants together to benefit each other. Parsley is a great companion plant because it attracts beneficial insects and repels harmful pests.
Beneficial Insects:
- Swallowtail butterflies: Lay their eggs on parsley leaves, encouraging a new generation of butterflies to grow in your garden.
- Hoverflies: Their larvae eat aphids, thrips, and other harmful insects.
Harmful Pests Repelled:
- Some harmful beetles are repelled by the presence of parsley.
Plants that Grow Well with Parsley
- Vegetables: Asparagus, tomatoes, chives, carrots, corn, peppers, onions, peas
- Flowers: Roses
Plants that Don’t Grow Well with Parsley
- Lettuce
- Mint
How to Grow Parsley for Companion Planting
Parsley is easy to grow from seed or seedlings. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
From Seed:
- Sow seeds directly in the garden in early spring or fall.
- Thin seedlings to 6-8 inches apart.
From Seedlings:
- Transplant seedlings into the garden after the last frost.
- Space plants 6-8 inches apart.
Tips for Growing Parsley
- Water parsley regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
- Fertilize parsley every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
- Harvest parsley leaves as needed.
Companion Planting Ideas with Parsley
Asparagus and Parsley:
- Plant parsley around asparagus to improve its growth and yield.
Tomatoes and Parsley:
- Plant parsley next to tomatoes to deter tomato hornworms and other pests.
Roses and Parsley:
- Plant parsley around the base of rose bushes to make your flowers smell sweeter.
Conclusion
Parsley is a versatile herb that can benefit your garden in many ways. By companion planting with parsley, you can attract beneficial insects, repel harmful pests, and improve the growth of other plants. So next time you’re planning your garden, be sure to include some parsley!
