| Author | Content |
RoseyQ
Crystal Lake, IL
(Zone 5a)
April 03, 2008
03:21 PM Post #4751825
| Dear Catherine,
The book you recommend, Great Garden Companions, written by Sally Jean Cunningham, is definitely a great book. Everyone interested in companion planting will learn exactly how it’s done by reading her book.
Thanks for writing the article on companion planting. Hope you enjoy your experience as a new Master Gardener.
|
Sharran
Calvert City, KY
(Zone 6b)
April 03, 2008
03:58 PM Post #4751997
| Very nice article, Cath. thanks. |
carrielamont
Milton, MA
(Zone 6a)
April 03, 2008
05:20 PM Post #4752398
| Of course, we didn't invent this idea. Pilgrims and early settlers learned to plant squash, beans and corn together - I forget exactly how they interacted, but I remember reading about it as a child in one of my Early Reader books (before Indians became Native Americans). Thanks for the article, which even interested me, who grows flowers, if anything!
xx, Carrie |
doccat5
Fredericksburg, VA
(Zone 7b)
April 03, 2008
05:36 PM Post #4752468
| It's called a Three Sister's Garden and you need to use field corn to support those beans. Most of the newer hybrid corn stalks won't support the weight of the pole beans. |
carrielamont
Milton, MA
(Zone 6a)
April 03, 2008
06:17 PM Post #4752643
| I should have known you would know about it. :-) Thanks again. |
leaflady
Hughesville, MO
(Zone 5a)
April 03, 2008
08:30 PM Post #4753247
| I always raise marigolds & basil between and in front of my tomato plants. And wild Jimson Weed close by for a trap crop for the hummer moths. That may not the best idea as it really attracts them but the blooms are so fragrant in the evenings. I'm not so sure about the marigolds being such good insect repellant plants but they are pretty and I like them. Since basil is the tomato herb it makes sense to raise it with it. They are suppose to be benefitial to each other. I've also raised lettuces with it.
I raise Bright Lights Swiss Chard in my flower beds just for color. Also the tricolor ornamental peppers and garlic. Squash vines wind their way thru the flower beds and both the squash & flowers seem to do well.
Great article. Thanks for writing it. |
doccat5
Fredericksburg, VA
(Zone 7b)
April 03, 2008
08:52 PM Post #4753351
| Thank you, if you are going to use marigolds for their repellent qualities you need to pick one of the older varieties that have a strong scent. I'm not sure I got that point across very clearly.
I want to do a similar article with more detail on the combinations of plants and veggies that do well together. If I may I'm going to borrow your suggestion on the wild Jimson weed. The key with doing this type of gardening is to expect a certain amount of damage from various insects, etc. Normally if you use these method, you minimize any damage to your veggies and flowers. And the healthier you make your soil, the better your plants are going to do. The stronger they are the better they can cope with any insect damage. |
leaflady
Hughesville, MO
(Zone 5a)
April 04, 2008
12:05 AM Post #4754492
| Doc, you are more than welcome to use the Jimson Weed suggestion. As for my marigold, most of them started with Queen Sophia about 25 years ago and had probably regressed to whatever her origins were by now. I have planted some new hybrids(?)from PG most years but probably 90% of my marigolds are reverts. I don't know if they are from the right side of the marigold family line or not. Guess I need to look up that info.
I also allow Henbit & Gill Over The Ground to grow pretty freely in my whole yarden. It is an excellent natural insect repellant. So are most mints & I have a couple pretty hardy and aggressive ones growing around here too. My motto is that if they don't or can't keep it mowed around well I will just let one of the above three take over. There are times when I must remove some of any of them to allow something else to grow freely but for the most part I love all of them. |
doccat5
Fredericksburg, VA
(Zone 7b)
April 04, 2008
06:58 AM Post #4755227
| That too is an excellent idea on using Henbit and Gill Over the Ground. You need to be writing on here, too, my dear!! I love these kind of suggestions. I've been gardening organically a long time, but there's so much information out there that pertains to this it's impossible to get a handle on all these neat tips. I've decided to grow most of my herbs in containers this year. I'd like to be able to bring them in the house in the winter. DH scrounged this really neat "card holder?" from the local drugstore. We can take out the center posts and it will be perfect to put 4 inch or larger pots in most of it. Plus it revolves, good for an old lady with arthritis. I'm going to spray paint it deep green I do believe. That will cover the advertising. And I was thinking of putting a big basket of something that trails on the very top, it's about 6 foot tall. :) It's one of those trash to treasure deals...LOL |
GreenleafManor
Elkhart, IN
May 26, 2008
11:05 PM Post #5008206
| Another great book on companion garden is Carrots Love Tomatoes by Louise Riotte (subtitlesd Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening). I recieved this book from my mother, she's a master gardener, and has given me all her old books. I love this one, I go back to it all the time.
suzanne in Indiana |
leaflady
Hughesville, MO
(Zone 5a)
May 27, 2008
10:48 PM Post #5013219
| Rose Love Garlic was the first book I ever read about companion gardening. |
