A few notes on the spectacular plants in the garden. First, are the tomatoes. They started blooming this week. There are three strong healthy plants about 24″ tall. And 2 mid sized plants, one store bought (the only one that is not from seed) and one that I had written off as a gonner several times. These are all heirlooms. Most of them are Purple Cherokee (thank God for the Internet). Then there are 3 or 4 clumps of modern hybrid tomatoes which are growing strong and quickly, but have a month or more to catch up. And there are two heirlooms I planted in the flower beds under the pecan tree. They have survived and should do well. Their position is pretty well shielded, but they get sun at certain angles during the day. This weekend they got extra water, seaweed emulsion, and compost tea.
One of the large tomatoes is worth noting, because he has grown 3 times or more faster than all the others. It was the one planted near an established low Chamomile and Bea Balm. His seed started at the same time as his brethren in a Jiffy pot. 6 from the tray were planted and many left in the tray. 3 of 6 survived; 2 large and 1 mid size. This plant was the biggest one that held on and stayed in the tray for an additional month. The spectacular growth seems due to the excess time before planting or the Chamomile. Next year, I would like to investigate the possiblity that Tomatoes planted near established Chamomile might grow many times faster than those planted earlier or near marjoram, thyme, marigold, petunia, and purple basil. I could save myself much work, by prepping chamomile very early, transplanting early, and starting tomatoes later.
My second favorite plants are the purple potatoes. All of them sprouted; three in the ground and two in the raised bed. They look very healthy and started blooming last week. In the raised bed, the bigger one is also next to some low chamomile. However, potatoes went in the bed first and this plant was always bigger. It doesn’t seem like chamomile is a factor. Alyssium was planted on the mounds in the hopes that companion planting would be helpful and this pretty ground cover would sheild the ground eliminating the need of continually digging up the side of the mound. This is done with potatoes to prevent sun from reaching the potatoes, turning them green, and making them toxic.
The main ground bed is dominated by the sunflowers. It started with one that was here when I moved in. That was march and it survived all the frost and heavy freezes. Seems like sunflowers are extremely hardy. The big boy has grown to 4 ft and the head is opening. I tossed a packet of California Greystripe out there. These plants are coming up quickly, though they have been more susceptible to the powdery mildew that is on all the weeds and roses. They for a tree like landscape with radishes, corn, cucumber, parsley, beans, and marigolds underneath. It’s worth noting that the parsly has sprouted within the last 2 weeks even though it was planted over 2 months ago. I read that sunflowers are alleopathic like pecans or black walnuts. They put a chemical in the ground that slows the other plants. This feels correct having watched them grow twice as fast or more than all the other plants. They radishes are unaffected though.
If I were doing it again, sunflowers would get planted from seed after the other plants had reached a respectable size. Unless this was for a flower bed. Then they would go in the ground when the tulips bloomed. I’ll save seed from the big volunteer sunflower. That will be planted around the yard next year. Cucumbers seem to need to start from seed if large pots and transplanted later. Seed did not work. The marigolds are an open question. Those from seed are tall, a little thin, and have no blooms yet. Some herbs need protection. It should be interesting to see how the summer progresses.
The flower bed under the trellis leading to the pergolas roof has yet to see a vine try to climb it. The flowers are spectacular, dense, and very healthy. The hops, which I thought were going to outgrow their pots when I moved in, have had a very difficult time adjusting to the soil. They pretty much died all the way back. The recent growth looks healthy and they had both grown significant roots over the cutting I got 3 years ago. The morning glories are heathy with plenty of leaves. Everything looks happy and short.
All the plants in the stump planters look good. Dianthus is blooming and looking wild. The geranium/mesquito plant looks almost the same. As do most of the others. The silver mound wormwood has really taken to it’s spot. It’s two or three times bigger, very soft, and beautiful.
A few more mentionables are the 3-4 pumpkin vines planted around the yard. Most have a corn growing nearby. One is from a seed packet and the others are from the worm bin. Recycling the pumpkin I bought for decoration last Halloween. All the corn in the yard is red sugar enhanced hybrid.
The nasturtiums are all over the yard like marigolds. The intentions for both are to improved pest resistance by enhancing the soil with the natural chemicals these little guys make. It’s definately not a quick fix since the full effects won’t appear till next year. The nasturtiums have been extremely helpful near the potatoes and tomatoes. They are mush tastier and the catepillars will flock to them clearing all the leaves in a day. Where potato and tomato foliage is thick and the results of pests noticeable after significant damage is done nasturtium leaves are few and shaped like hexagonal platters at the end of a stick. The bugs are very easily found and pulled off. Nasturiums might have 6 leaves. Damage is very evident. I pull off the bug and crush it or lay it on the plank for a bird treat. Nastutiums are on my must have list in the vegetable garden.
