Herbs are typically hardy and resilient. In these times of unpredictable weather, herbs provide beauty, flavor, medicine and food for people and pets. One additional benefit of herbs is serving as good companions for your flower and veggie gardens. When certain herbs are planted near or among other plants, they help those plants be resilient, too. Companion planting with herbs attracts beneficial insects or draw unwanted pests away from more vulnerable plants. Here are a few examples of our favorite companion herbs. Calendula This cheery, sunny, fragrant flower (also known as pot marigold) pairs well with eggplant and tomatoes. It attracts a wide variety of pollinators, including striped bees and…
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Top 5 Organic Gardening Tips
THE ORGANIC CENTER 1. Choose organic seeds Organic seeds are harvested from certified organic crops and therefore are not treated with fungicides like most conventional seeds. Without the application of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, organic plants rely more on their own defense systems when battling pests and diseases and grow deep roots to extract nutrients from the soil. Plants grown from organic seed are typically stronger and more adapted to thrive and grow under organic gardening practices. 2. Fertilize your soil by using organic compost and manure Common non-organic garden fertilizers, found at your local garden and home store, may contain ammonium phosphate and other synthetic chemicals. These synthetic fertilizers…
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Victory Gardener’s Almanack for the month of August
By August, the planting season is nearly over and the yard and garden are in harvest and maintenance mode. Take time to sit, relax and enjoy the produce you have fostered from your plot of this Earth.
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Victory Gardener’s Almanack for the month of June
The gardening season starts in full swing in June. Everything is growing now, including the weeds. Develop a good, daily routine to hoe and cultivate and they won’t get away from you. As your lawn takes off, save your clippings and use them to mulch around the plants in your vegetable garden.
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Victory Gardener’s Almanack for the month of April
The weather is generally transitional at this time. Enjoy the beautiful sunbreaks, but keep on alert for the downpours. Stop, appreciate, and enjoy the beautiful flowering that is happening all around.
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Victory Gardener’s Almanack for the month of March
The winter finally comes to an official close later this month. Time to start putting all of your winter dreaming and planning into practice. In general, it is still too early to plant many species of garden vegetables, but with protective measures and scoping out microclimate zones in your yard, experimenting is always fun.
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Seed to Market: a Magical Lesson
When my parents first took out our front lawn for a fruit and veggie garden and planted grape vines in our backyard, I didn’t really understand their purpose. I was five years old! I was told the plants could provide food and shade.
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Victory Gardener’s Almanack for the month of February
Don’t get carried away and start planting your whole garden if we happen to get a week or two of “false spring” weather this month.
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Study Finds ‘Rollie Pollies’ Remove Heavy Metals From Soil, Protects Groundwater
Turns out a little bug we don’t think of much is one of the best protectors of soil ever imaginable.
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Maritime Northwest Victory Gardener’s Almanack for the month of December
December tends to be a continuation of our region’s seasonally wet weather but can occasionally get snowy. The primary difference between this month and last is that the days are getting colder and shorter as the Winter Solstice arrives.
