This spring we planted nasturtiums and sage near the cabbage plants and we’re amazed at how well they keep cabbage loppers to a minimum. In previous years we planted a few nasturtiums, but this season we planted many more as well as sage plants. Pests- including cabbage loppers- are deterred by the smell exuded from these beneficials. Companion planting is an attractive and organic solution to managing pests.
Gardening tip: Plant nasturtiums, sage, poppies, marigolds, and yarrow around vegetables to keep pests under control without having to spray pesticides. Flowering plants like borage are also helpful to honey bees!
We planted pole beans last week and used bamboo poles to trellis them. We grow our own bamboo varieties including golden, black, and timber. It’s easy to grow bamboo in this climate and really convenient to harvest poles whenever we need to trellis tomatoes or beans.
We’ve had record heat this week with temperatures in the upper nineties. Hand watering heat sensitive plants like lettuce in the morning or evening is keeping evaporation to a minimum. We captured rain water earlier this spring in order to conserve well water all summer.
One of our honey bee hives swarmed but we were able to capture it! It looks good so we’ll be able to harvest more honey next season.
The layer chickens are shaded in their chicken tractor which we move regularly on pasture rotation. Every time we move the chicken tractor to a new patch of pasture we plant clover. Clover is a favorite of the honey bees, cows, pigs, and sheep.
The Jersey cow and Dexter bull are keeping cool in their forest shaded field. We’re expanding their pasture this week so we won’t have to import as much hay this winter.
The pigs are growing fast in their new pasture. Last season we incorporated rich farm-made compost into the field so they have plenty of seasonal grasses to root up.
We’ve started construction on our “cool bot” which is an efficient cold storage room for crops like potatoes and sunroots. Pictures to come! Stay tuned…..
