Everything has a season. Check out this month by month vegetable garden planting guide to what you grow in the garden when.
Easy to follow companion planting chart for tomatoes, beans, carrots, corn , cucumbers, peppers, cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, beets, garlic, dill, onions, and more.
Amaranth is a versatile superfood you can grow. Eat the leaves like spinach and the seeds can be cooked like rice, ground into flour, or even popped!
by Matt Gibson Bokashi is a composting method that is new to most Western gardeners. The compost is cheap to start and easy to maintain. The word Bokashi means “fermented organic matter,” and that is exactly what the process of Bokashi composting creates. It’s also the name of the ingredient used to get the compost […]
How do you do crop rotation in a home garden? What if you have a small space or use companion planting? Here are some basics to keep in mind.
You don't see it much in the U.S., but more people should be growing cassavas. Also known as yuca, it's a reliable, tasty veg.
Our guide to Citronella Plants for all you will ever need to know! Tips for planting, growing, and caring for “Pelargonium Citrosum”.
In the world of hydroponics the term “stress” can refer to a lot of things: light bleaching, overheating, overfeeding, etc… But no matter how it’s...
May is when the bulk of your warm weather crops are planted. This May planting guide will cover all the warm season crops that should be planted this month.
New to companion planting? Here's a quick and easy guide to this awesome gardening technique.
Everything you need to know about setting up guilds in your permaculture garden.
Millions of gardeners collect yard debris and kitchen scraps, but are they composting them the right way? Are YOU? Get help from this compost how to guide.
Take the guess work out of planning your vegetable garden layout with this comprehensive list of vegetable garden plants and their companions!
A salad garden is easy to plan and very rewarding to grow. Learn how to properly plan and grow your own salad garden this growing season with this guide.
Zone 7 has medium length growing season. Most vegetable varieties will have no problem maturing before your first frost date.
Arnica is a lesser-known plant for growing in the garden, but it deserves more attention. The pretty blossoms are also a potent medicine.
Our simple planting guides will help you find out what plants grow best in your region and when to plant them.
Read our guide to Angel Vines for everything you will ever need to know! Tips for planting & caring for “Muehlenbeckia Complexa”
Make the most of your garden by following these simple guidelines to companion planting. Simply planting certain plants near one another can lead to
Planning your garden is a big project! You choose your seeds , improve and amend your soil for different plants, and you need to decide what plants to plant where. I’ve created an ultimate guide and charts for companion planting so you can plan the perfect vegetable, flower, and herb garden com
Forget kale and cauliflower, the next veggie trend should be growing celeriac. The hardy root veggie can be used in so many different ways.
I have had a hard time wrapping my head around the whole planting season here in Phoenix, which is mildly problematic because I have really been bitten by the garden bug. We’re preparing our soil for the new year planting (see, it’s confusing here, no?) and at FHE tonight we planted our seeds in cupsContinue Reading
Do you love butterflies? Then you should definitely check out this Christia Obcordata care guide. Also known as the Swallowtail plant, it will resemble butterflies ...
If you are looking for a shrub that can bloom in shade, the graceful deutzia might be the plant for you. This mound-shaped shrub?s abundant flowers and flexible growing conditions are definite pluses
Borage is an annual herbaceous plant that is easy to grow and provides a myriad of benefits for gardeners. Not only are its striking star-shaped flowers picturesque to look at, but borage is an excellent companion plant that helps other plants to thrive, and it is entirely edible from stem to flower. The plant's leaves and stems are easily identifiable by the bristly hairs that cover them as they mature and look particularly unique on dewy mornings. Follow our guide to learn about borage uses, benefits, and companion planting advantages. Borage Soil Requirements Borage soil should be well-tilled and well-draining. Borage is a vibrant herbaceous plant that can tolerate soil that falls between 4.5-8.5 on the pH scale but thrives optimally in the middle at a pH of 6.5. How to Plant Borage Borage plants can be found at your local specialty nursery in the herb section, but they grow very well from seed as well. Either way, they should be planted directly outdoors after the threat of frost has passed. Sow seeds directly into the ground about ½ inch deep in clusters of 3 or 4 seeds and cover with nutrient-rich soil or compost. Plant borage plants or thin seedlings to approximately 15 inches apart. Borage can tower up to three feet in height, so it's essential to give the plant room to spread out. Proper spacing will help airflow, proactively combat against diseases such as powdery mildew and allow for the adequate spread of blooms. How Much Light Does Borage Need? A common question when planting and growing borage is, how much light does borage need? Plant your borage plants and seeds in full sun or partial shade. Plants will bloom more vigorously if they are planted in an area where they receive 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. How Often Should You Water Borage Plants? It can tricky to figure out exactly how often you should water borage plants. The answer is simple, water borage plants regularly. They are not drought tolerant and need plenty of water to thrive. However, try and avoid over-soaking them. The Best Temperature for Growing Borage Borage is relatively cold-tolerant, enjoying soil temperatures that are a minimum of 50°F. It can withstand light frosts. Kellogg Garden Organics All Natural Garden Soil Learn More Product Locator by Locally **Product not available in AZ, CA, HI, NV, UT. For a comparable product in these states click here. Common Borage Pests and Diseases Unfortunately, borage tends to be plagued with powdery mildew in damp conditions or in areas of high humidity. For the best chance of avoiding this devastating disease, space your plants adequately for proper airflow and be sure that your plants receive plenty of sunlight. Aphids and Japanese Beetles are drawn to borage plants and feed on their leaves. Aphids can be kept at bay with a strong spray of water from the hose, while the beetles can be easily handpicked off the plant and placed in a jar of soapy water to eliminate them. Borage Companion Planting Companion planting borage with vegetables and certain flowers can bolster each other and significantly improve your garden productivity. Borage is an all-around best friend in any garden bed for several reasons. Borage flowers attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies to the garden, which are essential for plant reproduction. Borage also benefits gardens by attracting beneficial insects for natural pest control of common garden pests. Additionally, borage releases calcium and potassium into the soil, which can help other plants like squash and tomatoes to combat diseases such as blossom rot. Interplant borage with: Tomatoes Cabbage Strawberries Grapes Peas Beans Cucumbers Squash Borage Uses and Benefits Not only does borage have a flower you can eat, but its leaves are also edible and can be used in a variety of ways. Its flowers have a refreshing taste that is reminiscent of cucumber. Pick blooms early in the morning and use them to brighten up a fresh salad, add some zest to a sandwich, mix into dips, and cook up in soups or stews. Harvest borage leaves when they are young for the best taste and texture. You can use borage fresh as salad greens or steam them up like you would spinach or kale. Another option is to dry the leaves and set them aside for use as a dried herb or seasoning. It can also be used to steep in teas and is a delightful treat when candied. How to Harvest Borage Seeds Borage plants do a fine job all on their own when it comes to propagating and spreading their seeds around. Once you have an established borage plant, you will likely always have a borage plant or several. You will often find new plants in the garden each year, and they are a pleasant surprise to see. Once you have borage in your garden, you will likely never have to reseed them again. If you intend to save the seeds, wait for the flowers to dry thoroughly on the stems, and allow the petals to die away. When the flower head is dehydrated and browned, remove the seeds from the center and store them in a paper bag or paper envelope until next spring. Share The Garden Love
Your garden's success is, in large part, based on planting suitable crops for your climate. Here, we'll focus on Zone 5 plantings. Some major US cities that fall in USDA Zone 5 are Chicago, Illinois, Cleveland, Ohio, Detroit, Michigan, Minneapolis, Boston, Massachusetts...
Cress microgreens are popular for their peppery flavor that packs a punch. These greens are easy to grow and great for beginners. Join Kevin Espiritu on this journey to grow cress microgreens in just 5 steps.
A culinary perennial also grown as an ornamental, sorrel is a lemony and hardy green or herb. Learn how to grow sorrel in the garden now on Gardener's Path.
Loofah, also known as luffa or lufah, is the fruit of a tropical vine grown for use as a kitchen or bath sponge, and in some places as an edible vegetable. Loofah plants require a long growing season ...
Phosphorus is an important macronutrient when it comes to plant health. Here's a list of high phosphorous foods for plants.
With only a couple more weeks of planting season here in northern Utah, I thought I'd share a beginner's guide for planting flowers. It's so simple.
Embark on the rewarding journey of seed starting with our comprehensive guide. From understanding the nuances of soil selection to troubleshooting common issues, we break down each step for the budding gardener. Remember, every seed holds a promise, and with the right knowledge, you can unlock its full potential.
Growing shallots is easier than you think - and the result is incredible. Home-grown shallots save you cash and have a flavor store-bought ones can't beat.
Outdoor seating areas in gardens, backyards, and more.
Gardenias are soft wood shrubs beloved for their fragrant flowers and deeply glossy foliage. They can readily be propagated by fresh stem cuttings in either a solid planting medium or in water. While ...
These hardy outdoor plants won't just boost your home's curb appeal, but they'll survive every condition, even a dry, sandy, or shady yard.
Guide to Corkscrew Rush Plants for everything you will ever need to know! Tips for planting and caring for “Juncus effusus 'Spiralis'”
How to Select Companion Plants for Your Garden Tower® 2 Planting System Companion planting allows you to select plants that benefit each other in different ways. Moreover, many common garden plants have allelopathic effects. This means they can slow the growth of certain types of neighboring plants! The composting vertical Garden Tower® 2 planting system is the definition of a companion planting system. 50 plants in 4 square feet at six elevations guarantees plant-to-plant interactions at both the stem and root levels. Infographic for Reference Here’s a fantastic infographic for determining which vegetables will thrive near each other and which veggies you need to put a little space between: Infographic courtesy of Afristar Foundation Afristar Foundation develops educational resources for schools, community programs and adult education in the form of posters, educational documentaries and informational booklets. We make use of accessible media to illustrate techniques and principles of sustainability and to spread information in a manner that is fun, colorful and easy to understand. To learn more visit http://afristarfoundation.org/. Tables to Reference for Plant Selections The following tables offer valuable insights for plant selection and design in a Garden Tower® 2 planting system or conventional garden. Determine what plant(s) you would like to grow, check the table to learn which companion plants will help your desired plant thrive and which plants you should avoid planting adjacent to it! Don’t be intimidated, it’s simpler than it looks! Use Firefox browser for the largest text! Common name Scientific name Helps Helped by Attracts Repels Avoid Comments Alliums Allium fruit trees, nightshades (tomatoes, capsicum peppers, potatoes), brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, kohlrabi, etc.) carrots carrots slugs, aphids, carrot fly, cabbage worms[1] beans, peas, parsley Alliums include onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, chives, and others Asparagus Asparagus officinalis Tomatoes[2] Aster Family flowers, Dill, Coriander, Tomatoes, Parsley, Basil, Comfrey, Marigolds coupled with Basil seems to encourage lady bugs Onion, Garlic, Potatoes Brassicas Brassica potatoes, cereals (e.g. corn, wheat) geraniums, dill, alliums (onions, shallots, garlic, etc.), rosemary, nasturtium, borage wireworms mustards, nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, etc.) Brassicas are a family of species which include broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, and cauliflower. Beans Phaseolus Corn (see Three Sisters), Spinach, lettuce, rosemary, summer savory, dill, carrots, brassicas, beets, radish, strawberry and cucumbers Eggplant, Summer savoury California beetles Tomatoes, chili peppers, alliums (onions, garlic, etc.), brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, etc.) Hosts nitrogen-fixing bacteria, a good fertiliser for some plants, too much for others Beets Beta Vulgaris lettuce, kohlrabi, onions and brassicas Catnip, Garlic, Mint Runner or pole beans[2] Good for adding minerals to the soil through composting leaves which have up to 25% magnesium. Runner or pole beans and beets stunt each other’s growth. Broccoli Brassica oleracea geraniums, dill, alliums, rosemary, nasturtium, borage mustards, Tomatoes, peppers Rosemary repels cabbage fly, geraniums trap cabbage worms, same general companion profile as all brassica (cabbage, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, etc.) Cabbage Brassica oleracea geraniums, dill, alliums, rosemary mustards, Tomatoes, peppers strawberries, and pole/runner beans Rosemary repels cabbage flies, geraniums trap cabbage worms, same general companion profile as all brassica (cabbage, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, etc.) Carrots Daucus carota Tomatoes, Alliums (onions, chives, etc.), lettuce alliums (leeks, shallots, etc.), rosemary, wormwood, sage, beans, flax assassin bug, lacewing, parasitic wasp, yellow jacket and other predatory wasps Dill, parsnip, radish Tomatoes grow better with carrots, but may stunt the carrots’ growth. Beans (which are bad for tomatoes) provide the nitrogen carrots need more than some other vegetables. Aromatic companion plants repel carrot fly. Alliums inter-planted with carrots confuse onion and carrot flies. Celery Apium graveolens Cosmos, Daisies, Snapdragons corn, Aster flowers, these can transmit the aster yellows disease Corn / Maize Zea mays beans Sunflowers, legumes (beans, peas, etc.), peanuts, cucurbits (squash, cucumbers, melons, etc.), amaranth, white geranium, lamb’s quarters, morning glory, parsley, and potato [2] Tomato, Celery Provides beans with a trellis, is protected from predators and dryness by cucurbits, in the three sisters technique Cucumber Cucumis Sativus Nasturtiums, radishes, marigolds, sunflowers, peas, beets, carrots, and Dill Beneficial for ground beetles Tomato, Sage Common name Scientific name Helps Helped by Attracts Repels Avoid Comments Eggplant or Aubergine Solanum melongena Beans, Peppers Marigolds, tarragon, mints Marigolds will deter nematodes. Leek Allium ampeloprasum v. porrum Celery, apple trees carrots cabbage worms, aphids, carrot fly, others Legumes (beans, peas, etc.), Swiss chard Same companion traits as all alliums (onions, garlic, shallots, chives, etc.) Lettuce Lactuca sativa Radish, Kohlrabi, beans, carrots celery, cabbage, cress, parsley Mints (including hyssop, sage, and various “balms”) repel slugs, a bane of lettuce and cabbages Mustard Brassicaceae, Sinapis alba Cabbage, cauliflower, radish, Brussels sprouts, turnips various pests Same general companion profile as all brassica (cabbage, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, etc.) Nightshades Solanaceae carrots, alliums, mints (basil, oregano, etc.) beans, black walnuts, corn, fennel, dill, brassica (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, etc.) Nightshade plants include tomatoes, tobacco, chili peppers (including bell peppers), potatoes, eggplant, and others Common name Scientific name Helps Helped by Attracts Repels Avoid Comments Onion Allium cepa Tomatoes, brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, etc.) Carrots aphids, carrot fly, other pests Beans, lentils, peas, parsley Same companion traits as all other alliums (chives, garlic, shallots, leeks, etc.) Peppers Solanaceae, Capsicum themselves, marjoram tomatoes, geraniums, petunias Tomato Hornworm beans, kale (cabbage, Brussels sprouts, etc.) Pepper plants like high humidity, which can be helped along by planting with some kind of dense-leaf companion, like marjoram and basil; they also need direct sunlight, but their fruit can be harmed by it…pepper plants grown together, or with tomatoes, can shelter the fruit from sunlight, and raises the humidity level. Potato Solanum tuberosum Horseradish Atriplex, carrot, cucumber, onion, raspberries, squash, sunflower, tomato Horseradish increases the disease resistance of potatoes Parsnip Pastinaca Sativa fruit trees a variety of predatory insects The flowers of the parsnip plant left to seed will attract a variety of predatory insects to the garden, they are particularly helpful when left under fruit trees, the predators attacking codling moth and light brown apple moth. The root also contains Myristricin, which is toxic to fruit flies, house flies, red spider mite, pea aphids. Pumpkin and other Squash Curcurbita spp corn, beans Buckwheat, catnip, tansy, radishes Spiders, Ground Beetles Radishes can be used as a trap crop against flea beetles, Curcurbita can be used in the three sisters technique Radish Rafanus Sativus squash, eggplant, cucumber,[2] lettuce flea beetles, cucumber beetles Radishes can be used as a trap crop against flea beetles Spinach Spinacia oleracea Peas, Beans The peas and beans provide natural shade for the spinach Tomatoes Solanum lycopersicum roses, peppers, asparagus basil,[3] oregano, parsley, carrots, marigold, Alliums, celery, Geraniums, Petunias, Nasturtium, Borage, any type of onion or chives Tomato Hornworm asparagus beetle Black walnut, corn, fennel, peas, dill, potatoes, beetroot, brassicas (kohlrabi, cabbage, etc.), rosemary Dill attracts tomato hornworm. Growing basil 10 inches apart from tomatoes can increase the yield of tomatoes by about 20%.[3] Source: Modified From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants References & Footnotes: Sally Jean Cunnigham (1998). “Great Garden Companions”, ISBN 0-87596-847-3 The Rodale Herb Book, Eighth Printing, c1974, ISBN 0-87857-076-4 Companion Planting Guide, Ute Bohnsack [2] Companion Planting Companion plants by Professor Stuart B. Hill Department of Entomology Macdonald College DGS Gardening companion plant list Cass County Extension Companion Planting List [3]
