What did you do in the garden today?

[TJAnonymous]

Good morning all. No gardening or outdoor work today. The big two day storm that rolled through here a few days ago dropped 5 inches of snow and rain for a rain gauge total of 3 inches. The snowblower handled the slush but I'm not sure if it was too much of a workout for it. I still have a few inches of the white stuff that has refrozen a few times. The good news is I believe our long time drought is over. The sump pump ran constantly on Saturday and Sunday. I hadn't heard it running in nearly a year. I believe you are right about potted tomatoes @Sally PB. Planting tomatoes and potatoes in the same garden bed will likely have them competing for the same nutrients and their susceptibility to blight. However, if they are not sharing the same soil, they should be fine. I might be concerned that the same winged insects might enjoy having these two nightshades close together. Good to hear from you again @Sueby. Hope your surgery on Friday goes well.

Any recommendations on companion flowers or herbs that might deter pests around the tomatoes and potatoes? I'm already planning on putting some marigolds over there but I can add other options too... In the ground containers (white squares), I'll be planting some herbs like thyme, oregano, and cumin. Hopefully these will help be a deterrent too since they are also next to the tomatoes and potatoes. (the potato beds are not shown in the layout but they are all along the left side just on the other side of the broccoli & tomatoes all the way to the end by the planters.)

 

[Sally PB]

Any recommendations on companion flowers or herbs that might deter pests around the tomatoes and potatoes?

Do a search for "companion plants" for lots of info. Here are some herbs and flowers:

Basil, dill, oregano, cilantro, thyme, garlic, marigold, and nasturtium.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Okay morning Gardeners, had nice hot shower did the old gal well.
I admit have not gotten my seeds in dirt I did plant potato with the brussle sprouts.
Seems to be coming up pretty good, Making cookies today.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Forgot to mention that I put out some seeds yesterday in hopes the cold weather stratification will allow them to grow in the spring. This is my first time trying this... I usually just put them in the fridge but I didn't have good results with that method. Hoping this is better... The seeds I put out were for marshmallow, penstemon, and dandelion. I kept back some seeds to put more out in February as a backup. Our spring usually begins warming up around early March. Hoping this works!

 

[igorsMistress]

I think the issue with tomatoes and potatoes too close has to do with them sharing soil, and the pathogens that can live there. The 'maters being in buckets should take care of that...? If anyone knows better, please chime in so we can all learn.

As far as my garden layout is going, I know where the asparagus and rhubarb will be!

Don’t potatoes take all the vitamins and such from the soil and starve other things? I remember reading something about that regarding the potato famine

 

[TJAnonymous]

Don’t potatoes take all the vitamins and such from the soil and starve other things? I remember reading something about that regarding the potato famine

Well apparently they don't starve out the weeds because those are flourishing in my potato beds....

 

[igorsMistress]

Good afternoon all. Still feeling crummy but I worked today. I was cold all day so took my temperature, have a fever. I was taking stuff for aches so probably didn’t know it until today when I didn’t so I must be on the mend. The teenager picked and bagged over 800 lemons over the weekend The limbs of the tree aren’t touching the ground now though. After work Thursday I’m off until Jan 3rd so hopefully I’m healthy and can get outside to do some things. The coop needs cleaning and there are weeds to pull, garden beds to build…

 

[igorsMistress]

Well apparently they don't starve out the weeds because those are flourishing in my potato beds....

I shouldn’t laugh, but I know how you feel!

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Hope you recover quickly @igorsMistress. I always plant basil with my tomatoes @TJAnonymous. I also planted lettuce on the edge in early Spring, but that’s all.

 

[WthrLady]

I think the issue with tomatoes and potatoes too close has to do with them sharing soil, and the pathogens that can live there. The 'maters being in buckets should take care of that...? If anyone knows better, please chime in so we can all learn.

As far as my garden layout is going, I know where the asparagus and rhubarb will be!

That is correct. They actually have plants grafted that are potato on the root system and tomato above ground. LOL.