As we design our garden every class , we always like to include a big garden experiment .
In past years , it has led to quite a few creation . And , of line , a few failure as well .
To a garden buff , taking chances and essay raw things is all part of the fun .
It is , after all , how we discovered the rest of grow potato and sweet potatoes in crates . Not only is it simple , but its a cracking way to a huge , low - sustenance harvest . See : How To originate Your Best Potato / Sweet Potato Crop Ever
And it is also where we take to never again till by only planting through a cover craw . See : Our Best Garden Experiment Ever
So what is on strike for this year ?
Our Big Garden Experiment For 2019 – Companion Planting To The MAX!
With a full growing time of year on tap before leaving on our boastful much - forebode 50 state of matter cross - country tripper in the surrender , we need to try out something big for the garden .
And this class it ’s all about familiar planting – and the king of the flower .
We love using companion planting in our garden . Companion planting is all about the relationships plant have to each when grown beside each other.(see Companion Planting Basics )
For illustration , grow basil beside tomatoes is highly good . Basil is a raw check against aphids , mallet and the dreaded tomato hornworm . Growing basil near tomatoes is also thought to improve a love apple ’s flavor .
But in improver to planting co - beneficial vegetable plants and herbs together , there are many flowers that can gravely help in a veggie garden ’s overall health and vitality .
Many annual flush are bragging in help to repel pesterer and disease . They are also great in keep away insect harmful to the gardener – like mosquitoes !
Even more , flowers can aid in keep undesirable animal out of the garden . Animals that can be extremely destructive to a garden . Like coney , squirrels , and even cervid .
So we decide this twelvemonth to try the might of flower in our garden . In a very big , colourful path !
A Garden Filled With Color And Beauty – For A Big Reason!
This year , we are go to fill our garden with 4 extremely beneficial annual flowers and herb . And I mean a circle of them !
Hopefully , it will create an explosion full of people of color in the garden . It should also be wonderful for our honey bees – and attract many additional pollinators .
And of row , adult assistant with above mentioned repelling of plague , disease and critters .
In each and every grow row around our vegetable plants , we will implant 3 varieties of yearly blossom that are extremely helpful to a garden . Marigolds , Nasturtiums , and Sweet Alyssum .
We will also be engraft a large amount of Basil the Great as well . Especially in our love apple rows .
We will still use shuck in the row to wrap up the soil . But institute through the straw will be all of the prime and herbs .
And we do n’t intend a few plants here and there . We intend to crowd the growing space around the veg plants with prime .
In fact , hopefully , by time of year ’s end , you will only be capable to see the veggie plants and blooms . Not only should it seem beautiful , the leafage will help conserve wet in the soil .
In addition , the outer border of the garden fence will be seeded loggerheaded with marigold . This will serve serve as a natural first barrier to animals as well . Plus -we think it will appear middling darn colorful too !
Here is a quick look at the four annuals we will be using , and why .
The Four Annuals and Herbs With True Flower Power
Marigolds are amazing at pull beneficial insect , and beat back bad ones .
epenthetic wasp that help oneself control wampum and tomato worms honey marigolds . So do ladybugs . And they feast on aphids and mealy bugs .
Their aromatic flowers help keep away damaging worm and beast too . Squirrels , rabbits and even chipmunk are not especially partial of them .
Seed Link : Marigold Seed Mix
Nasturtiums are super - easy to produce from seed . And they are one of the best instinctive dirt ball repellents around . They produce a chemical substance in the line that keeps away whitened flies , aphid and squelch bug .
And mosquito absolutely hate them!Seed Link : Nasturtium Seed Mix
As stated above – basil is simply a wonder plant .
Not only does it help Lycopersicon esculentum and repel insects – it is terrific as a culinary herb . I can not wait to see and smell it produce all over our garden . Seed Link : Basil Seed
The lilliputian prime of sweet alyssum are mighty helpful in the garden .
They are unbelievable at draw in a huge miscellanea of beneficial insects . And , like marigolds and nasturtium and St. Basil the Great , they can be grown easily from seed . Seed Link : Sweet Alyssum Seed
Here is to Flower Power , Companion Planting , and our Big Garden Experiment ! Jim and Mary . To encounter our3 Home , Garden , Recipe and Simple Lifearticles each week , signalize up for our free email list .
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