Full listing of Companion Planting

Friday, May 29, 2009

So the garden is now planted and it is now time to think about keeping our plants healthy so we can reap the benefits of tasty produce! Herbs are easy to grow, add flavour to our food AND can help protect our plants from bugs and other pests. So think about planting a few of these herbs around your vegetable beds -- you will thank them! Here is a full listing of Companionable Herbs (taken from Tips for the Lazy Gardener by Linda Tilgner)

Basil: Companion to tomatoes, dislikes rue. Repels flies and mosquitoes.
Borage: Companion to tomatoes, squash, and strawberries; deters tomato worm
Caraway: Plant here and thre; loosens soil.
Catnip: Plant in borders; deters flea beetle.
Camomile: Companion to cabbages and onions.
Chervil: Companion to radish.
Chives: Companion to carrots.
Dead Nettle: Companion to potatoes; deters potato bug.
Dill: Companion to cabbage; dislikes carrots
Fennel: Most plants dislike it; plant away from gardens.
Flax: Companion to carrots, potatoes; deters potato bug.
Garlic: Plant near roses and raspberries; deteres Japanese beetles.
Horseradish: Plant at corners of potato patch' deters potato bug.
Henbit: General insect repellant.
Hyssop: Companion to cabbage and grapes; deters cabbaage moth; dislikes radishes.
Marigolds: Plant throughout garden; it discourages Mexican bean bettles, nematodes, and other insects. The workhorse of companion plants.
Mole Plant: Deters moles and mice if planted around garden.
Nasturtium: Companion to radishes, cabbage, and cucurbits; plant under fruit trees; deters aphics, squash bugs, striped pumpkin beetles.
Petunia: Companion to beans.
Rosemary: Companion to cabbage, bean, carrots, and sage; deters cabbage moth, bean beetles, and carrot fly.
Rue: Companion to roses and raspberries; deters Japanese beetles; dislikes sweet basil.
Sage: Plant with rosemary, cabbage, and carrots; dislikes cucumbers; deters cabbage moth, carrot fly.
Summer Savory: companion to beans and onions; deters bean beetles.
Tansy: Plant under fruit trees; companion to roses and raspberries; deters flying insects, Japanese beetles, striped cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and ants.
Thyme: Companion to cabbage, deters cabbage worm.
Wormwood: As a border, it keeps animals from the garden.
Yarrow: Plant along borders, paths and near aromatic herbs; enhances production of essential oils.

Work and Food Gardening life don't mix!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

So this season has been crazy, we had EXTREMELY hot weather (upper 90s) followed by very cool weather (low of 38 last night). It is about 2 weeks after mother's day which is the typical point for being able to plant your hot weather crops without the threat of frost. Well, Gail said her rule is, only plant heat loving plants once you have had 10 consecutive nights over 60 degrees. Well we haven't had that yet, but with my work schedule and people coming into town- I had to plant my tomatoes, cukes, and squash this weekend. Well wouldn't you know the temp dived and they all look 'star struck'....not in a good way! So ughh --- note to self for next year, follow the CARDINAL RULE: 10 CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS OF 60 DEGREES!

Moving right along...

Saturday, May 16, 2009

So we hit the eventful time of Mother's Day in Virginia, which is not only a weekend for me to spend as much time as I want picking out heirloom tomatoes to buy, but also the mark of the end of the frost threat! So that means in go the warm weather crops!

This year I again made my pilgrimage to Beauville Deer Farm in Basye, VA- where a great friend of mine, Gail Rose, took my breath away with all of the interesting varieties of veggies she is growing. These plants really do 'sing'...they are loved and are strong and healthy and I can't imagine getting my veggie plants anywhere else! This year, here are the tomatoes I am trying:

Green Zebra (a favorite of David's because of the 'tang'. Great for cheddar cheese grill cheeses)
Black Zebra
Kosovo
Aunt Gertley's
Oaxacan Jewel
San Marzano Extra Long
Sokacki
Brandywine

Gosh, how can you not love all of these names? Green Zebra is the only fave I am bringing back from last year, I hope to find a few more favorites!

OK, progress in the garden:

Planted a 'green smoothie' garden by the door. No more flowers, I need quick access to food! So by the front steps I have swiss chard, Kale, Rose Orach, and some mini broccoli Gail recommended
Corn- trying it this year, it is up!
Realized I have alot of space and not enough adults to eat- so....planted shelling beans, and lentils. Why not try?!
Planted two peppers from and Rosa Bianca eggplant from Gail.
Carrots, beets, radishes and lettuce seeds are in.
Onion seeds and sets are planted and coming up.
Herb bed is planted and coming up.
Dressed the garlic beds with more manure.
Strawberries in planters doing GREAT.

Oustanding items to do are:

plant cuke, sprite melons, butternut squash, gold rush zuccs, eight ball, and papaya squash.
build squash 'lasagna' beds
start straw bale garden beds http://www.beginner-gardening.com/straw-bale-gardening.html

OK- slowly but surely they are getting done! Ok-will take pics today and will post!

My garden - from rags to riches!

Friday, May 8, 2009

So the winter gave a severe beating on my garden. The deer fencing was ripped up, my mulch swept away, my soil ravaged by the wind, and alot of weeds found a new home!!! I am a very neat and anal gardener, and the below pictures made me sick! So....once you see the transformation, you will see really how I 'roll'!

So here are the changes. I added weed barrier to all of my paths, made them nice and wide so I could move through the garden easily, used my bamboo to build planting grids and to mark my beds, and my dad helped me restring the deer fencing to make sure my garden is protected! Since these photos I have built a bean teepee out of bamboo, planted: onions, leeks, shallots, beans, corn, radishes, carrots, lettuce, heaps of herbs, swiss chard, and kale. In my bathroom I have cukes, melons, peppers, and eggplants growing.... what fun! I hope to buy my fave tomatoes at Gail's this weekend --- and get them into the ground!