Companions and Planters

Last year we noticed that some of the stuff we planted didn't do so well.  It wasn't a case of some varieties failing while others were fine, but rather within the same variety we had mixed results.  A family member from Knoxville, TN sent me a guide about companion planting.  After reading I began to understand why.  Some plants are beneficial to each other, some are not.  The garden we laid out last year had some non companion varieties next to each other and as a result it hindered their development.   This years plantings are being laid out according to the companion planting guide.  In addition to planting companion vegetables together we are planting some plants just for their beneficial effects.  Borage near the tomatoes to deter hornworms and to attract the honey bees,  Radishes next to just about everything.

 As I looked further into companion planting I also found some good information on the use of containers to increase production on a smaller footprint.   Even though we have plenty of land in which to expand, some types of container planting seemed more efficient.   The most appealing to us was the idea of growing potatoes in barrels. 

Potatoes work well here, but take up a lot of space.   We decided we would try one barrel so we could compare the results with our field grown potatoes.  We got a new large container (yes, it is a trash can) and put some seed potatoes in it.

 As they grew we added more mulch to cover them up.  They grew fast.  We were adding more mulch almost weekly.  Much easier to do than hoeing in the rows of potatoes,

Once the mulch reaches the top we will let them finish their growth cycle then dump the barrel and collect the results.    As long as the harvest is as productive this may be the only way we grow them.

We were given a large quantity of left over seeds potatoes by the local hardware store, over 50 pounds.  Even though we have yet to harvest the first batch of barrel potatoes, the new fields are not ready, so barrels are the only option.  We estimate we will need around 10 barrels.  Using trash cans is pricey, so after a little research we found some inexpensive food grade barrels.   They are perfect.


We have a couple of other containers going as well.  There are some plants that have not done well in the field garden, or that we only grow small quantities for personal use and therefore prefer closer to the house for easy access.  

A couple varieties of squash interspersed with corn and radishes.  Corn does not do well in the big garden because it attracts a variety of wildlife that like to eat it.  Radishes are just there for the beneficial effect.  We put these containers in the patio area off the basement which has 4-5 foot retaining walls on all sides.  This area is not visited by deer, bunnies, racoons or other creatures because our dogs like to hang out there.

 Some tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Newly added.  Cucumbers and dill in the red container, companions in life and in death!

Peppers, Chard and strawberries.  Chard is hard because of the hot weather.  Being in containers we can relocate it as the summer progresses to shadier areas.  No real reason for strawberries other than the kid wanted them.

Planting

The blueberry bushes are starting to ripen.  We back filled some empty spots in the field with about 90 new plants.  The new plants should grow fast and fill in the empty spaces because they are rabbiteye (the old plants are highbush).   

The grapes we put in last year may actually produce this year.

The back end of the vegetable garden was planted with potatoes and onions  and they are doing well.  We had some of the potatoes for Sunday dinner last weekend and they were quite delicious.
Due to the cold weather, and then the heavy rains, the rest of the vegetable garden got a late start.  We had previously dumped about a foot thick layer of compost in the garden and now the soil looks black (it's usually redish in this area)

Because we don't use chemicals weeds are a constant problem here.  With a small garden hand weeding was doable, but we are expanding the fields this year so hand weeding is just not feasible.  Time for a new piece of equipment, a mulch layer!

 It forms the planting beds, applies the mulch and drip tape.

 Took a few practice runs to form the raised beds.  The soil was still a bit wet.

 This smaller garden is for tomatoes, mostly Roma and Cherry.

The long garden will contain Peppers (jalapeno, green, banana) and the Beefmaster tomatoes.  The potatoes and onions are still at the far end.

The long garden was the wettest and not very level, a bit harder to form the rows.  Of course, we are still learning to use this equipment, so not bad for beginners.

A bulb planter is used to pop holes in the plastic and dig the soil.

The next step is to get straw to put on the ground between the rows.

It's been a while since I posted.  The Well house is about 95% complete. 

We ran out of shakes just as we hit the last peak.  We knew there were some more scattered around but the snow had come and buried them.  Now that it is spring we may have found enough to finish the siding.

The second well pump still has to be moved, but that will have to wait until the spring planting is done.