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As I've mentioned in an earlier post, we're planning on planting a "garden" in a foot-deep wading pool (our soil is really, really terrible, so we're thinking of making a separate "bed"). Now I've got a few books on companion gardening, but I still can't seem to get it straight. We'd like to plant marigolds and hot peppers (which Mom has already purchased...), as well as others that would be good companions. We're considering tomatoes, basil, zucchini, radishes, eggplant, sunflowers... and some sort of flower. We live in Eastern NC - zone 7B or 8 (I've seen both). It's REALLY hot and fairly humid during the summer months. The area is in partial/full sun. We're trying to figure out what would work really well together (after all, realistically, it'd be the only real garden we'll have). Also, we're afraid half the flowers we'd like to plant will fry in the NC summer sun... Any bright ideas? We'll happily take any suggestions anyone can offer! Thank you!
You know,if this is the only garden, I would suggest that you skip the zucchini and eggplants. In your climate, every Cucumber Beetle in the county will zero right in plus the zuckes will grow huge! May I suggest interplanting some parsley (nice looking, useful/edible and a host plant for beneficial insects) and growing a few Iris (Irissus?) ( they love hot spots, good choice of colors)plus the ever reliable Petunias. Ecchix Ecchexx..aw shucks Purple Cone Flowers would do well too, another attractor of pollinators.
See John expound. John postulates good. Talk, John, talk. *running and giggling* Really, he gives darn good advice, even if sometimes you wish he were close enough to noogie.
On the other hand, I have a fantastic little PDF on companion gardening I got from OG for signing up, I'd be glad to pass it along to you if you don't have it. Otherwise, I just ordered some books "Carrots Love Tomatoes" and something else specific to companion planting, and could give you more info when they come in in a couple days.
Aris- I'd be grateful for the PDF - if you could email it to me at debesis99@yahoo.com - thank you! And I agree - John is great and so is his advice. He's actually offered an answer to every question I've posted in this forum... G.
Ah....but there is a diff between quantity and quality. But yeah ok, I don't watch teevee. And here is the real reason why I jump in so much.....it forces me to learn, too!
When you're just starting out...every answer is well appreciated. How 'bout them purple coneflowers (echinacea?)? How deep do their roots go? Will they "fit" into our aqua blue wading pool? Oh, and the tomatoes are going to need a trellis, too - right? Are cherry tomatoes smaller (I mean the actual plant, not the tomato - that much I can figure out myself. Ahem.). Could we try to use other plants like sunflowers, or are we getting carried away with "bright" ideas? By the way - interesting "ecologicals" website you guys got going... Thanks a bunch (we really do appreciate the free advice)! G.
Try to buy 4" pot starter plants, a couple will do. Seeds are hard to germinate! The plant is slow-but-steady growing, I have a clump entering year 4 and it keeps doubling in size (about 50 flowers last year). Compact root structure, the plant will simply "grow sideways" just as some tomatoes will.
I do suggest that you select your 'maters carefully. Best for your garden setup would be cherries, sweet 1000's will settle for a smallish potspace by compacting it's roots, I grow some in 1 gallon black ugly plastic pots and they do fine (although they will dry out faster in shallow soil) Try the new Grape Tomatoes, they are a riot to grow! One or two Beefsteaks are worth a try as well.
Staking them is essential because much depends on the type of tomato you plant, indeterminates or determinates (do they keep growing or do they slow down once they set flowers) A Wallymart standard wire cage is fine, placing 3 bamboo stakes into a tripod is better. Combining the two is best.
Planning is half the fun! Or so "they" tell me...
Appreciate the website comments. It keeps me off the streets and that's got to be worth something, nay?
As for advice, it's only valid if it works for you! Gardening is learning...
