Thursday, April 5, 2012

Knock. Knock.


Marigold French Dwarf - Safari Orange
Incredibly (or maybe not), the only source that I could find locally for French Marigolds was a hardware store in Oildale.  Good old Floyd's.  This variety of marigold is being incorporated into the garden as a companion to the fruits and vegetables.  Aphids and nematodes don't like them, therefore I do.  Orange is pretty sharp.  These are my CalTrans flowers.  (Note:  The State of California Department of Transportation, CalTrans, has orange EVERYTHING - vehicles, shirts, garbage bags, etc.)

A bed that currently has only garlic growing will be dedicated to only marigolds this summer.  Once the marigolds are spent, they will simply be turned under to really make those nematodes mad.  Seedlings will be encouraged to continue the process for as long as the weather holds.

Marigold French Dwarf - Safari Yellow
Yellow marigolds have been planted in a bed with joint forces combating those nasty nematodes.  Celebrity Tomatoes, Jersey Asparagus, and basil are all fighting the pest together in allied form.  A few marigolds were nipped with a late frost and have been replaced.  Any seed heads will be set free in the bed to go wild to join in the cause.

Knock.  Knock.
Who's there?
Banana.
Banana who?
Banana Banana.

Knock. Knock.
Who's there?
Banana.
Banana who?
Banana Banana.

Knock.  Knock.
Who's there?
Orange.
Orange who?
Orange you glad I'm not a banana?!

5 comments:

Glennis said...

Good comment on my caterpillar post. Thanks! I would definitely join you on a war on caterpillars.

Though we have different points of view, would you agree that it was an unfortunate metaphor to use in reference to human beings??

Lo said...

HI, dear.......I love your Marigolds, but this comment is in re the one you left on my blog asking me my thoughts on Magic and the Dodgers.

I am so cut off from the news of the world (by choice) that I do not know what that means. In my little private woranld, I can only hope that it may mean that my hero and idol, Magic Johnson. is planning to buy the once Brooklyn and current Los Angeles Dodgers. If that is not the meaning, I am disappointed, but would still like to know the true gist of your query. Do contact me any which way you choose.

MAYBELLINE said...

Thanks to my LA connections on the variety of topice we enjoy discussing. Politics, sports, gardening. I would say that we are fairly well rounded.

DJK said...

I also just planted marigolds, and will also intersperse some through my garden soon.


But...which part of the plant do the baddies despise?

MAYBELLINE said...

DJK - From what I understand, the nematodes are repelled by the roots of the marigold and aphids don't like the parts above ground. This only applies to the French variety.