Herbs for Farm and Garden

When planted strategically around the farm or garden as ‘companion plants*’ or ‘distraction plants**’ and insect repellents***, selected herbs can help protect plants grown for food or pleasure. Natural insecticide sprays can also be prepared from some plants which are particularly useful in organic production systems.

*Companion plants have the property of reducing the susceptibility of adjacent crop plants to pests and diseases

**Distraction plants act as lures encouraging female insect pests to lay their eggs on the distraction plant and not the crop

***Some plants repel insects and other pests, thereby protecting nearby crop plants

The info button links to each plant’s names in 9 languages, other uses (if any), for that species, suggested germination conditions, price of the seed and the buy button.

Herb SpeciesUse 
Acetosa pratensis.Often grown to attract wildlife in general.
Achillea millefolium.Has been grown to repel insect pests.
Achillea ptarmica.Has been grown to repel insect pests.
Acorus calamus.Plant extracts have been used as a natural insecticide. Growing plant repels mosquitoes.
Actaea racemosa.Has been grown to repel insect pests.
Agropyron repens.Shoots have been soaked to make liquid feed.
Allium vineale (bulbils).Has been grown to protect crops from vermin and insects.
Althaea officinalis.Roots are boiled or fried as a vegetable
Anethum graveolens.Has been grown to attract predators of insect pests.
Anthemis nobilis.Stimulates bacterial action in making compost. An insect repellent when growing and when dried. Can be used to make a liquid feed.
Anthriscus cerefolium.Has been grown as a slug repellent.
Arctium lappa.Often grown to attract wildlife in general.
Arctium minus.Often grown to attract wildlife in general.
Artemesia absynthium.Dried leaves have been used to deter moths.
Artemesia dracunculus.Has been grown to repel insect pests.
Artemesia vulgaris.Has been grown to repel insect pests.
Asclepias syriaca.Often grown to attract wildlife in general.
Asparagus officinalis (wild form).Often grown to attract wildlife in general.
Barbarea arcuata.Often grown to attract wildlife in general.
Barbarea vulgaris.Often grown to attract wildlife in general.
Bellis perennis.Has been grown to repel insect pests.
Betonica officinalis.Often grown to attract wildlife in general.
Bidens bipinnata.Often grown to attract wildlife in general.
Bidens formosa.Often grown to attract wildlife in general.
Borago officinalis.Flowering plants attract bees.
Brassica juncea.Grow and dig-in as a green manure.
Brassica nigra.Grow and dig-in as a green manure.
Bromopsis inermis.Root system binds soil to help prevent erosion.
Calendula officinalis.Has been grown to repel insect pests.
Calluna vulgaris.Supports pollinating insects and wildlife on acid soils
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