Tomatoes 'taste better' when growing beside 1 plant
There is one plant that you should grow beside your tomatoes if you want to make them taste better, experts say.
Tomatoes can be made to taste better during the growing process when they are placed beside one other plant. According to experts, growing basil beside tomatoes gives the latter a better flavour. For those wanting ripe, tasty tomatoes from their own garden this summer, then they should plant them in March alongside the herb plant. And there are a number of benefits, including improved taste.
Many experts have pointed out how basil can help tomatoes grow to be tastier. One of the reasons is the shared soil, while another is healthy interractions between the two plants' roots in the ground. Many gardeners and chefs have sworn by this trick, although the science is yet to determine exactly why this flavour phenomenon might occur when these two plants are grown together.
Tomato and basil are two ingredients that are known to work well together. Most pizzas will include tomatoes and basil in their base sauce, as will many pasta dishes and other Italian favourites.
Both are readily available in British supermarkets but gardeners advocate for growing your own at home to enjoy the best, most natural flavours. And when they are grown together, they might just help each other taste even better.
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Not only does basil seemingly help improve the flavour of tomatoes when they are grown together, basil also helps to protect tomato plants. Basil's strong scent can also help deter some pests from the tomato plant, experts say. According to Simple Garden Life, basil's strong aroma is the opposite of appealing to most insects found in gardens.
Tomatoes and basil are easy to grow together as they need similar environments to thrive. However, it needs to be done right.
Experienced gardeners say that tomato plants and basil plants should have around 30-45 cm of space between them. Additionally, you should be careful not to overwater the basil as this can cause root rot.
Both plants should get 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day, which means they will have to be strategically placed in your garden. Meanwhile, flowering plants such as magnolia grow well with tomatoes and basil and also deter pests.
