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Post by olddog on Apr 29, 2012 21:21:15 GMT -5
So love everyone's ideas. When I am able to get back into the garden, cannot wait to try them out!
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Post by mnjrutherford on Apr 30, 2012 11:13:16 GMT -5
Horn worms were never bothered by my basil. I swear they were making sauce with the tomatoes in the middle of the night. Probably bribing the bunnies to bring them onions from the other side of the property too! ::sigh::
Still, I believe in companion planting as well. I think I'll try planting a squash or two in with the onions and garlic just to try the theory. I'll try some carrots and daisies as well. I'm going for true garlic seed so it can't hurt, right?
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Post by Drahkk on Apr 30, 2012 15:05:51 GMT -5
I've been attributing it to the Basil just because it is what I've been putting closest, but my garden is so tiny it could as easily be the garlic, dill, thyme, or oregano keeping the hornworms out. All I really know for sure is that I haven't seen one since I started interplanting with herbs.
I'm not sure about the daisies, but I read somewhere that interplanting carrots with onions confuses the carrot and onion flies, to mutual benefit. I also remember one of the old farmers around here telling me that a few onions flowering among strawberries would help keep the pests away. Haven't tested either theory myself, though.
We've drifted away from the subject of Asparagus, but I'm loving this discussion. I believe that companion planting is a lost art from before the era of petrochemicals and large scale monoculture farming. I'm going to start a new thread over in Alternative Methods so we can continue exploring the topic and sharing experiences.
Mike
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Post by steev on May 1, 2012 0:25:39 GMT -5
I don't really care whether basil, garlic, and tomatoes like each other; I like them cooked together, so I will tend to plant them close enough that I can have them for my table. Yummers!
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Post by mnjrutherford on May 2, 2012 15:46:50 GMT -5
So I've snapped my last spear for the year. When is a good time for the fish emulsion? Or does it matter? I feel like a murderer somehow....
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Post by steev on May 2, 2012 22:18:58 GMT -5
You want your plants to grow; your plants want to grow; feed those puppies now, so they bulk up for a good harvest next year!
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Post by mnjrutherford on May 3, 2012 10:16:44 GMT -5
OK, I'll get that done today. What about mulch? Right now I have wood chips and I have pine needles. What would you recommend?
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Post by steev on May 3, 2012 10:42:20 GMT -5
You don't want to impede sprouts, since the ferny growth is what feeds the crowns; aside from that, adding organic matter to the bed is all good. Bear in mind that the reason Stockton's area is primo for asparagus is deep peat soil.
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Post by mnjrutherford on May 3, 2012 15:10:37 GMT -5
oh HO! Do tell! So like maybe putting down a nice layer of peat will lend aid and sustenance?  I'm thinking this one out already.... |
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Post by Drahkk on May 3, 2012 15:50:17 GMT -5
Just watch your pH. I haven't done any intentional testing, but as I understand it they don't like it much below neutral. Maybe mix some lime or ashes with the peat?
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Post by mnjrutherford on May 3, 2012 18:42:19 GMT -5
Yea, that's what I've heard as well. I get free soil testing from the county. So, I can keep tabs pretty easy. Most of my soil is on the sweet side, 6 to 7. Hopefully in the truffle field it's up to 8 by now.
Our terra preta soil is pretty acid as well. We have to keep it away from the blueberries!
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Post by steev on May 3, 2012 20:27:00 GMT -5
Why? Blueberries like acid, or are they sneaking over to raid it when you're not watching, so nobody else gets any? Greedy buggers!
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Post by mayz on May 10, 2012 3:01:12 GMT -5
concerning earliness in europe, the new cultivars are classified as very early, early, main saison for an example but in french www.marionnet.com/asperge.htmIn spring 2010 I have planted the cv Lima A photo of my patch of asparagus this month  Attachments:
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I'm thinking this one out already....
