Companion planting with herbs.

It's weekend again! If your in South Africa I hope you had a great Heritage day yesterday!

Today's post is on the progress of our garden. The past week we had a few drawbacks in our garden. The birds decided that this is now their new neighborhood hangout spot (with good reason...who could resist our fresh veggies) and decided to munch some of our cabbage, sunflowers and pulled out a bean plant.

We also started doing research on companion planting with herbs. The concept behind this is to plant herbs among you veggies to keep possible pests away. We've planted a few herbs. The herbs will not only help with pest control but is also a very tasty alternative for those MSG packed herbs & spices from the store. Here is a breakdown of what each of their functions are in our garden: 

• Basil: Basil is a good way to repel flies as well as to prevent plant lice (a possible pest esp for our cabbages). Basil is also a very versatile herb in the kitchen, I am especially looking forward to making some Basil pesto. 

• Sunflowers: Sunflowers attracts bees. Bees are very useful to fight of other plant predators. In the Garden bees are your best friends.  

• Lavender: This herb works the same as the sunflowers by helping to attract bees that keeps the other plant predators away. 

• Chives: Garlic union is not only very nice with meat or as a chip dip sauce but is also have a lot of health benefits.  Chives also have a attractive blue-purple flower.

• Rosemary: This herb goes extremely well with lamb. Rosemary has very strong flavour and should be used sparingly.

We've also planted some other herbs such as parsley, oreganum, thyme, catnip and dill. 

Our Dark Opal Basil in its early stages.

Beans are very easy to grow, Ours is going fast.

Every time I plant cucumber I am surprised by how well it grows. The biggest problem is going to be the harsh South African sun.

Our cherry tomatoes growing slowly but surely.