Here back to the companion planting information from the book for that name by Bob Flowerdew. Enjoy and with the weather we are having everyone is thinking SPRING. Yes it will be coming but we still need to get thru March.
Marigold, French and African
Really from South America, these tender annuals are very beneficial and well known for keeping whitefly out of greenhouse, they will not drive them out once in thought. As early as possible each year, plant the French marigold near all vegetables, fruit bushes and paths as a pest deterrent. The strong scent should be used to hide valuable plants from pests in every garden, and they are cheerful to look at as well. Much research has been done into their ability to kill nematodes, the Mexican form is the most effective it also overwhelms weeds and deters Mexican bean beetles. Its exudations may help tomatoes.
Marigold, Pot Calendula
This is a self seeding hardy annual whose flowers are used in soups and salads. Beneficial to many insects and plants, it supposedly repels dogs from the vicinity. Sprays made from this plant have been used against asparagus beetles and tomato hornworms. As they are easy to hoe, let them self seed amongst vegetables and flowers.
Mints
Plant mints in pots buried in the soil to minimize their expansionist tendency. One of the few plants to grow under walnut, mint thrives near stinging nettles and helps cabbage and tomatoes before it overwhelms them. It can be used to repel rodents, fleas and flea beetles and spearmint discourages aphids by discouraging their owners, the ants. Sprays of mint tea repel ants and Colorado beetle. Mints are wonderful autumn bee plants, they also feed hoverflies and predatory wasps so they make a cheap and effective ground cover under established fruit trees.
Morning Glory
Traditionally grown by the Indians with their sweet corn to give it vifour, mornin g glory is also thought to aid germination of melon seed. As these tender crops grow well together they make a happy trio. Start them off in pots indoors and then plant them out after hardening off, put the sweet corn out first to provide shelter.
Nasturtium
Nasturtiums can be used to enliven salads and do best on poor soil. Their strong smell drives wooly aphis off apples trees and keeps aphids away from broccoli and squash. They are themselves attacked by black aphids and cabbage caterpillars, so can be used as sacrificial crops. They keep whitefly out of greenhouses and are helpful rambling among radishes, potatoes, brassicas and cucurbits.
All food for thought. Till next time, this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa
Marigold, French and African
Really from South America, these tender annuals are very beneficial and well known for keeping whitefly out of greenhouse, they will not drive them out once in thought. As early as possible each year, plant the French marigold near all vegetables, fruit bushes and paths as a pest deterrent. The strong scent should be used to hide valuable plants from pests in every garden, and they are cheerful to look at as well. Much research has been done into their ability to kill nematodes, the Mexican form is the most effective it also overwhelms weeds and deters Mexican bean beetles. Its exudations may help tomatoes.
Marigold, Pot Calendula
This is a self seeding hardy annual whose flowers are used in soups and salads. Beneficial to many insects and plants, it supposedly repels dogs from the vicinity. Sprays made from this plant have been used against asparagus beetles and tomato hornworms. As they are easy to hoe, let them self seed amongst vegetables and flowers.
Mints
Plant mints in pots buried in the soil to minimize their expansionist tendency. One of the few plants to grow under walnut, mint thrives near stinging nettles and helps cabbage and tomatoes before it overwhelms them. It can be used to repel rodents, fleas and flea beetles and spearmint discourages aphids by discouraging their owners, the ants. Sprays of mint tea repel ants and Colorado beetle. Mints are wonderful autumn bee plants, they also feed hoverflies and predatory wasps so they make a cheap and effective ground cover under established fruit trees.
Morning Glory
Traditionally grown by the Indians with their sweet corn to give it vifour, mornin g glory is also thought to aid germination of melon seed. As these tender crops grow well together they make a happy trio. Start them off in pots indoors and then plant them out after hardening off, put the sweet corn out first to provide shelter.
Nasturtium
Nasturtiums can be used to enliven salads and do best on poor soil. Their strong smell drives wooly aphis off apples trees and keeps aphids away from broccoli and squash. They are themselves attacked by black aphids and cabbage caterpillars, so can be used as sacrificial crops. They keep whitefly out of greenhouses and are helpful rambling among radishes, potatoes, brassicas and cucurbits.
All food for thought. Till next time, this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa
