If food magazines are any indication, herbs like dill are becoming even hotter than ever. And it’s no wonder—piling chopped dill on top of a salmon filet, topping salads with dill flowers, and mixing the herbaceous herb with cucumbers are sure ways to elevate your dishes. Dill’s many uses in the kitchen mean it’s a … Read more
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a perennial flower that’s equally at home in meadows as it is in cut flower gardens. I love that yarrow provides beautiful lacy foliage and flowers and a wide variety of uses and benefits. First, yarrow’s tiny flowers attract and feed various insects and birds. Many of these critters are fantastic … Read more
Rhubarb is grown for its fleshy stalk. The leaves are poisonous and should be removed when the stalk is harvested. This cool season crop has both pest and disease problems. Consider companion planting to prevent problems and make the rhubarb grow better. Here are the best plants to use and the few you should not … Read more
Brussel sprouts are a delicious and nutritious vegetable in the Cruciferae family. They are a cool-season crop that can be vulnerable to many insect pests. They also need a number of nutrients while growing. Using companion planting can help with some of these problems and needs. Why Do Brussel Sprouts Need Companion Plants? If you are new … Read more
While tomatoes are the long-awaited summer crop, peas are the sweetness of spring. Garden-grown snap peas, snow peas, and shelling peas all offer a flavor that is incomparable to that of their grocery-store cousins. Despite their delicious flavor, I find that gardeners often stray away from growing peas due to their long time to maturity … Read more
If you’re growing a perennial herb garden, chives are a must-have. Chop them up to add an onion-like flair to chili and baked potatoes, or pair them with cheddar cheese to create a delicious savory biscuit. But what about when it comes to the garden? What plants get along best with chives? Like with most … Read more
Companion planting is growing more popular as a means to reduce the use of pesticides and attract pollinators. This is particularly true for small home gardeners. What Is Companion Planting? Companion planting (also called intercropping) is growing plants close together because of their ability to enhance each other. Planting the three sisters (corn, beans, and … Read more
When you think of plants that go well with broccoli, your mind may jump straight to the kitchen. Maybe you think of combining pungent garlic and stir-fried broccoli to form a crunchy and bright dish. Or perhaps you imagine pairing broccoli florets with another classic cruciferous vegetable: cauliflower. But what about when it comes to … Read more
Beets are a great two-for-one crop. They provide you with sweet and earthy roots as well as nutritious greens that resemble Swiss chard. Since beets grow better in cool weather, they’re typically planted in the spring and fall. However, it is possible to grow them during the summer in some areas. If you’re interested in … Read more
Lettuce’s simple growth form and flexibility in the kitchen makes it a must-have garden crop. Another thing that’s great about lettuce is that it plays nicely with lots of other crops. By interplanting lettuce with other types of plants, you can increase soil diversity, attract beneficial insects, and help prevent disease. Read on to learn … Read more
Rosemary has always been one of my favorite garden herbs. With its unmistakable and pleasing aroma and beautiful growing habit, I encourage everyone to have some rosemary in their garden – preferably in an area where its beauty and fragrance can be enjoyed. There are two main types of rosemary plants – upright and creeping. … Read more
Friends, chums, and companions are the people you can depend on in your life. The ones that build you up and make you a better person. The same can be said for companions in the plant world. I tell everyone considering a garden, don’t forget to research your plants and consider companion planting. Companion planting … Read more