My Husband Said He Would Leave Me If I Bought Any More Plants!… I’m Sure Going To Miss Him
This wonderful cooling and gentle rain has been a relieving `blessing to this unusual heat we have been experiencing so early in the year. I hope that the cooler temperature slows the snow melt while the gentle rains do not add to the flooding problems being experienced by many. The lightning last Thursday was quite dramatic and the thunder had me jump a couple of times with the strength of it. Weather has many affects on our plants some good and some harmful. Rain and lightening are fertilizing agents and also provide sulphur. Static electricity will increase the size of Tomato Plants. Fog contains iodine, nitrogen and chlorine. An active storm will make the sap of a plant run to the roots so afterwards it can return and repair any damage. Too little rain can affect the cell walls of a plant which in turn affects growth and cause root and leaf damage. Too much rain can reduce the amount of oxygen in the soil increasing fungal diseases it can also cause the soil to compact and erode. Wind especially with high temperatures can dehydrate plants as well as spread weed seeds and insects and heavy winds can damage plants.
Many people are busy putting in their gardens and many people at the market were asking about companion plants. Companion planting has many affects on our plants. It can provide shade for plants that need protection from direct sunshine or protect other plants from wind. It can help repel bugs or can act as a trap to keep the bugs away from other plants. Deeper rooting plants can help more shallow rooted plants by loosening the soil and bringing up minerals and nutrients to their companions. They can enhance flavour of their companions as well as suppress weeds by planting upright plants with more spreading types. Marigolds are one of the best companion plants available and should be planted with virtually any vegetable especially tomatoes. Nasturtium is excellent at preventing aphids from attacking plants as it act as a trap for them and you can just soap them off the nasturtium plants. Zinnia will attract lady bugs which are voracious eaters of small insect pests. Here is a guide that is suggested for planting companions in your garden.
- Tomatoes do well with asparagus, carrots, celery, onions, marigolds, peppers. Basil, mint and bee balm also improve flavour. Do Not plant with corn, dill, kohlrabi or potatoes.
- Carrots like beans, lettuce, onion, peas, peppers and tomatoes. But not dill.
- Corn grows well with beans, cucumber, peas, pumpkin, and all squash plants. But not Tomatoes
- Pumpkin grows well with beans, corn, marigolds, nasturtium and squash. But not Potatoes.
- Strawberries like beans, lettuce, spinach, onion and squash. But not the cabbage family, egg plant, peppers, tomatoes or potatoes.
- Zucchini goes well with beans, corn, dill marigold, nasturtium, peas, radish and spinach. But not potatoes or pumpkin. And this is the same with your other squash plants.
- Beets like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage and onions. Broccoli likes beets, basil, carrots, cucumber, celery, dill, garlic, lettuce, marigolds, mint and nasturtium. But not asparagus, cantaloupe, peppers, pumpkin, strawberries, corn or watermelon.
- Cabbage like beets, celery, lettuce, spinach and onion. But not tomatoes or kohlrabi.
- Potatoes grow well with basil, beans, celery, corn, garlic, lettuce, marigolds, radish and spinach. But not broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, cucumber, egg plant, melons, peppers, squash, strawberries, tomatoes or pumpkin.
- Beans with beets, carrots, cabbage, corn, cucumber, peas and radish. But not garlic or onion
Happy Gardening!
Samantha Nason
BS Ranch & Greenhouses
250 547 6567
sam1nason@gmail.com
