Plants keep others healthy

Here are 16 plants to use strategically for a healthier garden.

Lavender: Lavender repels slugs.

Basil: Basil repels aphids, flies, mosquitoes and mites; also has fungicidal properties. Plant around tomatoes to repel hornworms.

Catnip: Catnip repels ants, fleas and mosquitoes.

Tomatoes: Plant tomatoes around asparagus to repel asparagus beetles, and around roses to help prevent black spot. Keep away from cabbage, fennel and potatoes.

Oregano: Oregano repels cucumber beetle.

Borage: Borage repels tomato worms.

Onion: Onion repels ants, aphids, borers and moles. Also discourages black spot on roses. Plant around carrots, beets, strawberries, tomatoes, lettuce and cabbage, but avoid around beans, parsley, peas and leeks.

Rosemary: Rosemary deters cabbage moth, bean beetles and carrot fly.

Petunia: Petunia repels aphids, leafhoppers and Mexican bean beetles.

Thyme: Thyme deters cabbage worms and slugs.

Nasturtium: Nasturtium repels aphids, spider mites and whiteflies. Plant around fruit trees, cucumbers, squash and tomatoes (for improved flavor).

Mint: Mint repels aphids, cabbage moths and cabbage worms. Plant in containers, though, or it will take over your garden.

Radish: Plant radish around cucumbers and squash to trap beetles.

Marigolds: Pests (aphids, bean beetles and others) find the scent of marigolds repulsive, so plant them throughout the vegetable garden. French and African varieties eliminate nematodes from the soil.

Chamomile: Chamomile repels cabbage moths.

Chives: Plant chives around roses and lettuce to repel aphids.