Companion planting has been common practice for farmers and gardeners since, well, forever. Companion planting aids the health and growth of other plants they are grouped with in the garden or field, mostly for pest control.

Example, planting dill along side tomatoes will help ward off tomato bugs, aphids, and other pests. 

The same plants that protect other plants in our garden can also be used to protect our homes and environment without the use of toxic chemicals. I found this great little schematic online that illustrates a few plants and what they repel. 

I grow all of these and can attest to their effectiveness. I live half in and half out of a wooded area with a lake a stone's throw from my front porch. I experience a few bugs. The places I grow these plants, bugs are minimal. I try to keeps several pots growing around my doors and windows. 

Just about any mint repels ants but peppermint and spearmint are especially good for this. (Basil is a mint, by the way) 

Another thing: mints are good for is soaking up water. If you have a low or soggy spot in your yard, plant mint. It will thrive sucking up all that water you don't want laying around anyway. No more mosquito breeding ground due to laying water and mint thriving to drive off anything that might breed and hatch nearby.

It's a win all the way around. 

In addition to being beautiful, smelling awesome, and helping with pest control, many companion plants are herbs and can be eaten or used for crafting or household uses. Lavender to make sachets or oils. Basil, Rosemary, and mints for cooking, and so on. 

My favorite way to use spearmint is to crush and soak handfuls of it in a jug of iced water in the summer. My favorite is cucumber and mint water. Sounds weird but really tasty. Mint and apple peal water is tasty too. 

If you have some great gardening tips, please comment below this post. Growing season is fast approaching and I would love to hear your tips, tricks, and recipes!