4/9/17
Planted four rows of beets, two rows of carrots, and two circles of snow peas on tomato cages.
I realized that we have almost certainly lost the candy tuft in the transition. I want to get some more from a nursery or something. Maybe I can start some from seed. I might get more that way, and it is one of my favorites, so that might be worth doing.
I can’t remember why I absolutely needed to buy nasturtium seeds. I now see that it was to plant with broccoli. I keep looking up this companion planting piece, so I am putting it here:
Plants have best friends just like people do. Marigolds help tomatoes and roses grow better. Nasturtiums keep bugs away from squash and broccoli. Petunias protect beans from beetles and oregano chases them away from cucumbers. Geraniums keep Japanese beetles away from roses and corn. Chives make carrots sweeter, and basil makes tomatoes even tastier
Put in 4/8/17 on the shed side of the garden:
18 Oriental Lilies – blended colors (from Aldi)
5 Orange Glow blend Dahlia roots (from Aldi)
I think this is the bed that was supposed to be a nursery bed for the candytuft, but it got weeded. I will look for candytuft seeds to start anew.
Getting ready to put potatoes into the second bed to the right. I need to see if I can locate the herb seeds I got last year. I can’t remember what all I got, but I know there are some borage seeds somewhere and I want them. There may also be valerian too.
Borage is used in companion planting. It is said to protect or nurse legumes, spinach, brassicas, and even strawberries. It is also said to be a good companion plant to tomatoes because it confuses the mother moths of tomato hornworms or manduca looking for a place to lay their eggs. Claims that it improves tomato growth and makes them taste better remain unsubstantiated.
4/10/17
I bought seeds yesterday at Walmart: sweet peas, radishes, and lettuce. I also bought some more bulbs at Aldi: some dinner plate dahlias and two bags of gladiolii.