Companion planting

With “stay in place” ordered I have the perfect opportunity to prepare my garden for the season. This garden was started three years ago, so the bones are there; Paths and planting areas are in place and the watering system is set. Now I have plenty of time to meticulously plan this year’s garden. This garden is a work in progress, and you will definitely see how it grows.

Companion Planting is the art of growing vegetables, herbs and flowers in close proximity to create a productive and beautiful garden without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Through lore and science and esthetics, there are guidelines to insure that you attract beneficial.

Not too long ago I went to a seminar on attracting beneficial insects. They say that the key is diversity ! So that is what I am doing - lots of flowers, fruits, vegetable and herbs. Nature has ways of keeping balance between predator and prey.

Right now I have blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, a plum, two pears, a dwarf peach, quince and kiwi. Most have flowered already and I am keeping my fingers crossed that the flowers were pollinated so that I will have fruit. The herbs are lavender, rosemary, oregano and thyme. Flowers include peonies, lilac, monarda (bee balm), cone flower, black eyed Susan and lady’s mantle. I have yet to plant my tomatoes or other vegetables but I do have leeks, bronze fennel and Brussels sprouts.

I plan to plant a lot of chives and garlic because they both help to control aphids, caterpillars, Japanese beetles, root maggots, rust and snails. Near my Brussels sprouts I am going to plant some dill, nasturtium and potato. There are lists of “good companions” for specific plants, whether they attract beneficial insects.