Companion Gardening.

 Supplies are running low here in Maybelline’s Garden.  Not much lettuce planted in the fall remains in the garden.  The lettuce started indoors is puttering along.  Three varieties are scheduled to be planted out in the garden this weekend in the hopes of having some spring salad:  Merlot, Saint Anne’s, and Tom Thumb.  The seeds will be sown in place to determine if jump starting lettuce indoors in the winter is worth dedicating the space.  I don’t like the way the seed starting process makes a mess of my kitchen window.  Starting seeds in place looks neater both indoors and out.  Perhaps I’m Jeffersonian in my garden preferences.  That’s alright with me.  He did alright (except for the the whole slave thing and the debt stuff).

Some Red-Cored Chantenay Carrot seeds will be sown amongst the lettuce in accordance to Louise Riotte’s prescription in Carrots Love Tomatoes.  Her book doesn’t explain why this combination is good.  A quick search online came up with nothing.  Nevertheless,  I’m giving it a try.

In the meantime, I would like to publicly change the person I want to be when I grow up.  For years, Aunt Bea from the Andy Griffith show was the type of person I wanted to be as I limped into my senior years.  No makeup.  Cotton dress.  Practical shoes.  No plastic surgery.  Simply age as nature intended.  Now I herald the beauty of Louise Riotte.  Practical clothes (elastic most certainly is involved). No fuss hair and a chair just like the one I have in the garden.  BINGO!  I only hope to know half as much as this successful Okie gardener.  Plus, living to be 91 is a bonus.  She would have been a great companion in the garden.

Louise Riotte (1909-1998)

Summer Crops – Part I

There are four raised beds in the garden.  Three of the four beds are ready for planting.  Let’s start the tour with bed number one.  Notice the tomato cages laying on their sides.  This is kitty litter prevention.  All four rows have been sewn and I do not want garden kitties to help themselves.  This should do the job until the seedlings are established.  All four rows will be planted with a variety of heirloom tomatoes.  I wanted to get the companion seedlings started before the tomato supports are installed and the tomatoes planted.

Here’s what has been planted from left to right.

Atomic Red Carrots are brilliant red and unique looking.  The 8” roots are high in lycopene which is helpful in preventing several types of cancer.  They should mature in 75 days.   They are supposed to be good companions to tomatoes according to Carrots Love Tomatoes.

Genovese Basil is very popular with cooks claims the seed package and catalogue.  It’s supposed to help tomatoes to overcome both insects and disease.  The flavor of the tomatoes is also improved with this companion.  Did you know basil repels mosquitoes and flies?

Yellow of Parma Onions is described in the catalogue as a Long-day type--Large, golden onions are oblong-globe shaped. This late onion makes an excellent keeper; a rare and hard-to-find Italian variety.  Like garlic, onions help repel insects from tomatoes, not to mention they taste great.

Jaune D’Or Ovale Radishes are golden.  The package has this to say:  In 1885 the French seed house Vilmorin mentioned “Jaune D’Or” as a new variety.  This French variety starts out a pale tannish-white and turns a yellowish-tan as the large roots mature.  The egg-shaped roots are medium-hot, and are great for salads; they seem to remain tender over a long period.  Be sure to try this unique old classic that France has been enjoying for over 125 years.  Radishes repel the two-spotted spider mite.

This bed is on the western most edge of the garden and in full sun.  With temperatures expected in the 80s next week (yuck), the seeds should be sprouting at a record rate.