Friday, March 7, 2008

Matchmakers Guide to Vegetables

I'll admit that I'm a matchmaker at heart. I love to see everything paired off. People. Pets. And now even my plants. I have been intrigued with the idea of Companion Planting ever since a Seeds of Change Newsletter filled me in on it's many wonders. While many people have practiced this form of gardening for many years it is a new concept to me. Yet it is one that I was instantly attracted to. Maybe because I prefer not to use chemicals. I refuse to use any insecticides in my gardening. I have small children who still occasionally put odd items into their mouths. I would be so worried if a leaf that I coated with insecticide in the morning ended up in my 3 year olds mouth in the afternoon. And Companion Planting can reduce the need for such chemicals. Don't believe me?

Leeks: Enemy #1 Onion Fly and Leek Moth.
Carrots: Enemy #1 Carrot Fly.
Here's the Matchmaker Magic: Once paired together the smell of the Leeks repel the Carrot Fly AND the smell of the Carrots repels the Onion and Leek Moth. I told you it was magic! No chemicals necessary. But how do you know how to make a Successful Match? Below I've attached a starter's guide to Matchmaking. While the guide is very basic you might find it helpful when questioning which plants will make a successful match. (Y for yes N for No)

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

From Signs of Spring to the Ice Age

As a gardener there is nothing more frustrating than waiting for spring. Spring brings new hopes for greener days and dirtier hands. That's just one reason why I was so excited yesterday when I saw those tiny green shoots pushing through the newly un-snow-covered ground. I had a fleeting thought that soon I would be able to get out into the garden to start the process of spring clean-up. I had visions of adding mulch, of straightening stones, even of weeding! Oh the spring dreams that I had only 24 hours ago...

And now I've been thrust back into the Ice Age!
My poor lilac bushes!


















And the newly added trees are bent under the weight of the ice.












Even my one and only "large" tree has been battered and bruised.















I remember that once upon a time it was lush and full...Those were the days!

Why does Old Man Winter mess with my mind this way?