Best 8 Summer Savory Companion Plants & 4 to Avoid (+Chart)

Best Summer Savory Companion Plants

Beans

Beans are remarkable companions for summer savory, enhancing growth and flavor. This symbiotic relationship benefits both plants, as summer savory is known to repel pests that commonly affect beans. Beans, in turn, fix nitrogen in the soil, promoting a healthy environment for summer savory to thrive.

• Planting Guide:
  1. Sow bean seeds directly in the ground after the last frost, ensuring a sunny location.
  2. Plant summer savory between bean rows, spacing it about 6 inches apart to allow for adequate air circulation.
  3. Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged.
  4. Apply a light, organic fertilizer mid-season to support growth.

Encourage a thriving garden by exploring all other companion plants of beans.

Peas

Peas and summer savory form a beneficial pairing, with savory deterring pea pests and improving the peas’ overall health. The peas, like beans, enrich the soil with nitrogen, aiding the growth of summer savory.

• Planting Guide:
  1. Plant peas as early as the soil can be worked in spring.
  2. Position summer savory nearby, ensuring both have access to full sun.
  3. Maintain soil moisture and add mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
  4. Use a trellis for peas to climb, keeping the garden tidy and maximizing space.

Find out about the best peas companion plants for a more productive garden.

Onions

Onions offer a strong defensive line against pests, protecting summer savory and nearby plants. Their pungent smell masks the scent of summer savory, deterring pests.

• Planting Guide:
  1. Plant onion sets in early spring, in a spot that receives plenty of sunshine.
  2. Intersperse summer savory among the onions to maximize pest deterrence.
  3. Keep the soil well-drained; onions do not like overly wet roots.
  4. Mulch lightly to keep the soil cool and retain moisture.

Enhance your gardening knowledge with our guide on onion companion plants.

Carrots

Carrots benefit significantly from summer savory’s presence, which has been said to improve their flavor and growth. Summer savory also helps repel carrot fly.

• Planting Guide:
  1. Sow carrot seeds directly into the soil in early spring.
  2. Plant summer savory alongside or in alternate rows to create a barrier against pests.
  3. Thin carrots to prevent overcrowding and ensure proper growth.
  4. Water consistently, as uneven watering can lead to split carrots.

Dive into the world of carrot companion planting for a bountiful harvest.

Radishes

Radishes grow quickly and can benefit from the protective qualities of summer savory against common pests. The radishes can also break up the soil, making it easier for summer savory roots to grow.

• Planting Guide:
  1. Plant radish seeds directly in the garden, in early spring or fall.
  2. Insert summer savory seedlings or seeds nearby to take advantage of its pest-repellent properties.
  3. Keep the soil evenly moist for consistent radish growth.
  4. Harvest radishes as soon as they’re mature to avoid toughness.

For more insights, check out our comprehensive guide on radish companion plants.

Strawberries

Strawberries and summer savory make excellent companions, with savory deterring pests that threaten strawberry plants. The savory’s strong scent masks the sweet strawberry aroma, keeping pests at bay.

• Planting Guide:
  1. Plant strawberries in early spring, in well-draining soil and full sun.
  2. Incorporate summer savory around the strawberry beds to protect and enhance growth.
  3. Mulch around the strawberries to retain moisture and prevent weeds.
  4. Ensure regular watering, especially during fruit formation.

Explore the benefits of strawberry companion planting for a lush, fruitful garden.

Marigolds

Marigolds are not only a vibrant addition to any garden but also a powerful ally for summer savory. These cheerful flowers are known for their ability to repel nematodes and other pests that could harm summer savory.

• Planting Guide:
  1. Plant marigold seeds or seedlings in the spring, ensuring they’re placed in a sunny spot.
  2. Situate marigolds around or near your summer savory to create a protective barrier.
  3. Water regularly, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
  4. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage further flowering and extend their protective qualities.

Embrace the beauty and benefits of marigold companion planting for a healthier garden.

Garlic

Garlic serves as a strong deterrent against pests, making it an excellent companion for summer savory. Its potent scent masks the savory’s aroma, keeping unwanted insects at bay and reducing the need for chemical pest control.

• Planting Guide:
  1. Plant garlic cloves in fall for a late spring harvest, or early spring for a summer harvest.
  2. Integrate garlic around the perimeter of your summer savory planting area.
  3. Ensure both garlic and summer savory are planted in well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight.
  4. Water garlic moderately; it prefers drier conditions as harvest time approaches.

For more insights, explore our guide on garlic companion plants.

What not to Plant with Summer Savory

Cucumbers

Cucumbers tend to attract certain pests and diseases that can spread to summer savory. Their high water requirement can also lead to overly moist soil conditions, detrimental to savory’s health.

• Why to Avoid:
  1. Differing water needs can stress both plants.
  2. Pest attraction to cucumbers may increase issues for summer savory.
  3. The shade from cucumber vines can inhibit summer savory’s sunlight exposure.

Discover more about cucumber cultivation with our cucumber companion planting guide.

Potatoes

Potatoes can hinder the growth of summer savory due to their extensive root systems, which compete for nutrients and space. Moreover, potatoes and summer savory can attract similar pests, compounding pest management problems.

• Why to Avoid:
  1. Nutrient competition can weaken both plants.
  2. Shared pests may cause more significant infestations.
  3. The large foliage of potatoes can shade out summer savory, reducing its vitality.

Learn which plants are best suited to grow with potatoes in our potato companion planting guide.

Melons

Melons require a lot of space and water, which can clash with the needs of summer savory. Their sprawling vines can overshadow and choke the growth of summer savory, leading to poor air circulation and increased humidity.

• Why to Avoid:
  1. Excessive water requirements of melons can lead to root rot in summer savory.
  2. The shadow cast by melon vines can deprive summer savory of necessary sunlight.
  3. Melons can attract pests that might also find summer savory appealing.

Learn to grow melons effectively with our melon companion planting guide.

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts are heavy feeders and can deplete the soil of nutrients essential for the growth of summer savory. Additionally, they can attract pests like aphids and caterpillars, which might also affect summer savory.

• Why to Avoid:
  1. Nutrient competition can stunt the growth of summer savory.
  2. Shared pests may lead to increased infestation and damage.
  3. The large size of Brussels sprouts can overshadow summer savory, inhibiting its growth.

Discover the ideal companions for Brussels sprouts in our Brussels sprouts companion planting guide.

Companion Planting Chart for Summer Savory

Good Companions	Reasons to Plant Together
Beans	Nitrogen fixing; pest deterrence
Peas	Nitrogen enrichment; pest deterrence
Onions	Pest deterrence; flavor enhancement
Carrots	Flavor improvement; pest deterrence
Radishes	Soil aeration; pest deterrence
Strawberries	Pest deterrence; mutual growth support
Marigolds	Nematode deterrence; pest control
Garlic	Pest deterrence; disease prevention