[charmingmoms]

Hello! I live in Montana and I have started a coupon swap group where we discuss deals and swap Q's. But my question is on gardening.

I have always had my own garden, it has always been mostly a "salad" garden in a very small space.

Well, my DH graciously offered to till a HUGE space(20' x 30') this year and said " why don't you invite your coupon friends to help you with the garden.

Now, this proposal, brings up alot of questions?

How do we decide scheduling of weeding?
how do you divide produce?
how do we decide what to plant?


Is there ANYONE that shares their garden with friends? How do you do it?

I do have some time as I can't plant anything till end of may, but it takes a while to organize and that's why i am asking now!

HELP PLEASE!

[timber945]

I have seen lots of these kinds of things on TV garden shows. I think its a great idea! I think I would approach the group and ask them what they think, Brainstorm and come up with the best plan, that way everybody who wants to participate gets a say and it will be a group effort from the beginning.

If you are worried about making everything equal, you could divide the garden into smaller plots and each person would have their own space to plant and care for. You could still trade the produce, Like I have extra beans and I need some of your squash so we trade.

Good Luck and keep us posted how this works for you.

[Random Refunder]

personally, I have never done anything like this, but I have seen something "sort of" similiar when I lived in Europe.

This is what they did:

The garden plot was divided into several "individual" plots and each person was responsible for their section of the garden.
Once produce began growing, they would get together weekly for an hour or so (usually used this time also as one of their gardening days) and exchange in a friendly "barter" system.

This worked for them for two important reasons:

1- Some people are more familiar with growing certain veggies, this brought "education" to the group as well as some really great prouduce variety.
2- No one felt someone else did less work and benefited more, etc.

End the end, everyone got out of it what they had put into it by what they had to trade with the others.

The owner of the land of course was offered "perks" by most of the thoughtful members by either helping them organize or extra goodies from other members gardens.

This is just an idea and could always be modified to your ideas..

I think your DH had a great idea!

[Countrymom]

Originally Posted by charmingmoms

Hello! I live in Montana and I have started a coupon swap group where we discuss deals and swap Q's. But my question is on gardening.

I have always had my own garden, it has always been mostly a "salad" garden in a very small space.

Well, my DH graciously offered to till a HUGE space(20' x 30') this year and said " why don't you invite your coupon friends to help you with the garden.

Now, this proposal, brings up alot of questions?

How do we decide scheduling of weeding?
how do you divide produce?
how do we decide what to plant?


Is there ANYONE that shares their garden with friends? How do you do it?

I do have some time as I can't plant anything till end of may, but it takes a while to organize and that's why i am asking now!

HELP PLEASE!

Go buy the Old Farmers Almanac, you will find it with the magazines in most stores. There is a chart in the Almanac. It will tell you the best planting time for your area. The Almanac has lots of great information in it. I like the Old Farmers one the best of all the Almanacs.

It depends on what you like to eat as to what you grow.

We always plant our own garden, but we give extras from the garden to friends and family. I do a lot of canning from the garden.

I already started my plants in my sun parlor. I have Beefstake tomatoes, Cherry tomatoes, Lemon Boy tomatoes, Jalapeno Peppers, Hungarian Wax Hot Peppers, Cal. Wonder Sweet Bell Pepper.

After we get the garden plowed and tilled we plant Potatoes, Beans, Corn, Cabbage, Lettuce, Squash, Pumpkins, etc.

[Countrymom]

This information may be helpful to you also.

Companion Planting recognizes that some plants are beneficial in many ways to ultimately help each other in their growth & health, as well as deter pests or attract helpful animals like Bees etc. They will do this in many ways, a few being:

- The smell of the volatile oils in the Companion Plant discourages certain pests.
- Nitrogen-fixing plants of the Legume family supply Nitrogen to other plants.
- Some plants have shapes which confuse the pest' recognition ability.
- Some plants will attract beneficial animals like Bees, which consequently pollinate, insects which kill pests, or other birds or insects which spread seeds etc...
- Others simply enhance each others growth by physical & energetic means. For instance, Tomatoes & Marigolds like each other, Beans & Sunflowers don't like each other, as they are competing for light & space ~ a lot of common sense...

Companion Herbs...

Calendula & Marigold - In Companion Planting, the first rule is: "Marigolds with everything!" I personally love Calendula however, I so leave it to self-seed itself all over the garden.

The roots of Marigold give off a substance which drives away the eel-worm. They are therefore good to plant near Potatoes, Tomatoes & Roses. (I plant them as borders in the garden - they look gorgeous anywhere) The Mexican beetle avoids Bean rows which have Marigold/Calendula growing among them. Dogs won't cock their legs against pots which contain Calendula. A clump is useful in every flower-bed; an edging gives protection for the Vegetables.

Marigolds are stronger in power than Calendula, so will kill Twitch Grass (a pest in NZ), Couch Grass, Nematode & Eel Worm. It is another good companion for Potatoes & general Pest deterrence.

Chamomile - Known as The 'Plant Doctor' because of it's ability to encourage other plants to increase their essential oil & so taste & smell more stronger & more vital... Chamomile is easy to grow, & looks beautiful anywhere, though keep it well trimmed to avoid a straggly look. Many other plants enjoy it's company, especially Mint, which will become tastier when grown next to Chamomile. Plant Chamomile next to ailing plants to help revive it. Cabbages & Onions love Chamomile, though keep it approx a meter away from Onions. Collect & dry the Chamomile Flowers, then make a tea by soaking a handful in cold water for a day or two. This can then be used for any plant which is looking sickly, or a young plant is in need of assistance. And finally, Chamomile will help activate the Composting process if added to your Compost pile!

Basil - Basil is best planted next to Tomatoes - everyone knows how well they go together in cooking! Used as a border for the Tomato patch, the plants will find it easier to resist disease & the fruits will be tastier. Bees love Basil, while Aphids, Fruit-Fly, White-Fly, the House-Fly & Mosquitoes hate it. Keep a pot near doors & windows to keep Flies out of your Home. Also very handy for medicinal & cooking uses if grown nearby. Keep Basil away from Rue - they definitely dislike each other!

Lavender - Everyone must have seen & admired the beauty of Lavender... though it also has other good qualities. Lavender is a general Insect Repellent, good to use as a border for the Garden. It attracts many Bees to the area, & can be used for cosmetic, liqueur, medicinal or perfume reasons. It also deters Moths to great affect - hence the popularity of Lavender Bags in drawers & cupboards.

Nasturtium - Nasturtiums can have a tendency to grow abundantly, but are very easily controlled. They also possess many benefits for your Garden plants... They are good companions for Radish, Cabbage & Cucumber. Orange coloured Nasturtiums will deter Aphids, Squash Bug & Striped Pumpkin Beetles, yellow ones tend to attract the beetles! So plant orange Nasturtium close to your garden to deter insects, & plant yellow Nasturtium far away from the garden to attract the insects. Nasturtium is excellent in the Orchard & will control the Woolly Aphid if left to wander.

Tansy - Tansy is a good all-round bitter Insect repellent. It is great planted near Cabbages, Roses, Raspberries & Grapes. It concentrates Potassium in the soil, so benefits any plants nearby! Plant it for protection against Japanese Beetle, Striped Cucumber Beetle, Squash Bug, Cut Worms, Cabbage Worms, Ants, Flies, Mosquitoes & Fruit Moth. It is noticeably helpful under Peach Trees, which it assists greatly by warding off flying insects & keeping Borers away.

Rosemary - Rosemary is a favourite of older Cottage Gardens. Rosemary is a good companion to Cabbage, Bean, Carrot & Sage. It deters Cabbage Moth, Bean Beetles & Carrot Fly. It also improves the growth & flavour of vegetables. Rosemary & Potatoes do not like each other, so keep them apart. It looks gorgeous planted as a hedge around the Cabbage patch... You can also use it as an insect repellent, as well as in a medicinal tea.




Best Companion Planting Guide...

Both Vegetables & Herbs work very effectively as Companion Plants, so Scroll down to find your favourite Vegetables or Herbs, and find the best Companions for you & your Garden!

Apples - Chives, Horsetail, Foxgloves, Wallflowers, Nasturtiums, Garlic, Onions.
Apricots - Basil, Tansy, Southernwood.
Asparagus - Tomatoes, Parsley, Basil.
Basil - Tomatoes, Asparagus, Parsley, Apricots.
Beans - Carrots, Cucumbers, Cabbages, Lettuce, Peas, Parsley, Cauliflower, Spinach, Summer Savoury.
Broad Beans - Potatoes, Sweet corn.
Dwarf Beans - Beetroot, Potatoes.
Beetroot - Onions, Silver beet, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Cabbage, Dwarf Beans.
Borage - Strawberries.
Brussels Sprouts - Nasturtiums.
Cabbages - Beans, Beetroot, Celery, Mint, Thyme, Sage, Onions, Rosemary, Dill, Potatoes, Chamomile, Oregano, Hyssop, Southernwood, Nasturtiums, Tansy, Coriander.
Carrots - Peas, Radishes, Lettuce, Chives, Sage, Onions, Leeks.
Cauliflowers - Celery, Beans, Tansy, Nasturtium.
Celery - Tomatoes, Dill, Beans, Leeks, Cabbage, Cauliflowers.
Chamomile - Mint, Cabbages, Onions.
Chervil - Dill, Coriander, Radish.
Chives - Parsley, Apples, Carrots, Tomatoes.
Citrus - Guava.
Coriander - Dill, Chervil, Anise, Cabbages, Carrots.
Cucumbers - Potatoes (early crop only), Beans, Celery, Lettuce, Sweet Corn, Savoy Cabbages, Sunflowers, Nasturtiums.
Dill - Carrots, Tomatoes, Cabbage, Fennel, Coriander.
Fennel - Dill, Coriander.
Hyssop - Grapevines, Potatoes.
Kohlrabi - Beetroot, Onions.
Garlic - Roses, Apples, Peaches.
Grapevines - Geraniums, Mulberries, Hyssop, Basil, Tansy.
Leeks - Carrots, Celery.
Lettuce - Carrots, Onions, Strawberries, Beetroot, Cabbages, Radishes, Marigolds.
Melons - Sweet Corn.
Mint - Cabbages, Chamomile.
Onions - Carrots, Beetroot, Silver beet, Lettuce, Chamomile, Kohlrabi, Zucchini.
Parsley - Tomatoes, Asparagus, Roses, Chives.
Parsnips - Peas, Potatoes, Peppers, Beans, Radishes, Garlic.
Peaches - Tansy, Garlic, Basil, Southernwood.
Peas - Potatoes, Radishes, Carrots, Turnips.
Potatoes - Peas, Beans, Cabbage, Sweet corn, Broad Beans, Green Beans, Nasturtium, Marigolds, Foxgloves, Horse Radish, Egg Plant.
Pumpkin - Sweet corn.
Radishes - Lettuces, Peas, Chervil, Nasturtium.
Raspberries - Tansy.
Sage - Carrots, Cabbages, Strawberries.
Silver beet - Onions, Beetroot, Lavender.
Spinach - Strawberries.
Squash - Sunflowers.
Strawberries - Borage, Lettuce, Spinach, Sage, Pyrethrum.
Sunflowers - Squash, Cucumber.
Sweet corn - Broad Beans, Potatoes, Melons, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Squash, Tansy.
Thyme - Cabbage Family.
Tomatoes - Asparagus, Celery, Parsley, Basil, Carrots, Chives, Marigolds, Foxgloves, Garlic, Sweet corn.
Turnips - Peas, Nasturtiums.
Zucchini - Nasturtiums.

[justmelome]

I think its a great idea butI would definetly divide into the sub plots as some people have great intentions of maintaining a garden and then realize its just too much on top of everything else in their lives.

[WishfulThinking]

Originally Posted by Countrymom

This information may be helpful to you also.

Companion Planting recognizes that some plants are beneficial in many ways to ultimately help each other in their growth & health, as well as deter pests or attract helpful animals like Bees etc. They will do this in many ways, a few being:

WOW!

LOVE this information!!!!