Hello again, friends!

Today, I’m sharing my “garden math” and what seeds I’m planting. I bought my seeds from two new places this year, MI Gardner and Baker Creek Rare Seeds. I also saved my seeds from last year’s crop of pole beans. I’m looking forward to sowing those in my new greenhouse!

I’ve been gardening since 2020 and I have learned new things every year since. Sometimes I’ve learned them the easy way by accident or the hard way revealed by failure. I still consider myself a beginner, but here’s what I do know.

I keep an organic garden…

It’s actually a very simple way to start. Many people think organic gardening is difficult or tedious, and sometimes it can be. If you plan an extravagant garden with so many different kinds and types of plants, I imagine that it would seem difficult or tedious. My goal overall is to grow the fruits, vegetables, and herbs that my family actually needs. Here’s is what you’ll find in my garden year after year.

Well, this list is great and all, but what about the pests? How do you keep bugs from eating everything?

In each of my garden beds I use calendula to keep the pests out. I practice companion planting. So far I have had success in repelling the crawling bugs, but not so much with the flying variety. Have you ever noticed the cute white butterflies that flutter above your tomatoes and cabbage? Well, that is where cabbage worms come from. These white butterflies land on the crop and lay their eggs in the cabbage leaves and when the cabbage grows the eggs become trapped inside. Once they hatch they eat your cabbages from the inside out. Honestly, this can feel heartbreaking because cabbages are so pretty when they become fully grown and lush with leaves. This year I have a trick up my sleeve and I think I will have success. That is soon to come.

Basically, here is the “garden math” breakdown

Plant + Calendula = Happy Plant

Until next time, folks!