Living with Ourselves

@Sophia1 I have just planted pansies, poppies in pots. It's my first attempt with pots. I did have a small book on companion planting that I will check out when I unpack my books. Some plants can provide protection from bugs for others. Crushed egg shells are supposed to deter snails, but I have no personal proof it works. Cardboard boxes are good to put on top of soil to keep weeds down, saves digging. I hope you have success with your garden, growing plants is so relaxing and rewarding.

I just bury a little of the plastic bottle - enough so it doesn't blow away - then the rest is above ground to catch the sun. Orange juice bottles will do nicely @Sophia1

I use normal potting mix from Bunnings (or wherever it is cheap) - seems to work fine for me but the mix usually means a lot of watering is needed as it tends to drain really well.

I don't have a lot of snails in my garden and therefore they are not really a worry but if you can raise the pots/garden up a little that should help with too many snails. I had my mini hothouse on a balcony so snails weren't an issue.

Hello @Maggie@Zoe7

Thank you...egg shells...I am making my own chicken schnitzel tonight so shall keep the shells or at least make a note to keep them and hopefully remember...then break them up around my cuttings...

cardboard boxes under the soil...would never have thought of that ...have heard of newspaper ...which you have just reminded me of when I read about the cardboard...have plenty of both...you probably have too @Maggie

how are you settling in now at your new place? want to talk about it? if not that is understandable and need say no more...

poppies and pansies are beautiful...A friend of mine used to say that pansies looked like they had smiling faces xxx

@Zoe7 in the back garden the beds are slightly raised and I dont think that I have seen any snails there now come to think of it...In the front garden no raised beds...existing plants with my cuttings as have no lawn....have noticed dead snails there..perhaps previous tenant dealt with them...

No visible snails is good @Sophia1 I look forward to hearing how it all goes for you

@Sophia1 I returned this week after more time in hospital. So back to checking out things, finding out what happens and when. Some others I have met briefly, they seem friendly and caring. Physical and mental suffering is visible, some like me, with both. I imagine there is wisdom and life experience by the truck load. Talked to someone who presses flowers and makes cards and pictures, so some shared creativity might happen. For now I'm just enjoying being with my Furbaby,

How is your own unpacking going? The garden is sounding like it's giving you some pleasure internally and externally.

Marigold Marigold Companions: What To Plant With Marigolds Marigold By: Mary H. Dyer, Credentialed Garden Writer Printer Friendly Version Image by mychadre77 Marigolds are dependable bloomers that add a spark of bright color to the garden throughout summer and early autumn. Gardeners value these popular plants for more than their appearance, as many think they have pest-repellant properties that help keep nearby plants healthy and free of harmful bugs. Read on to learn about companion planting with marigold flowers. Benefits of Marigold Plant Companions Scientific research doesn’t always back up claims that marigold companion planting repels pests, but gardeners with years of hands-on experience say otherwise. Your mileage may vary, so experiment with different combinations to discover what works best in your garden. It certainly never hurts to try planting a few marigold plant companions in your garden. In fact, Cornell Cooperative Extension says that marigolds just might keep a number of pests in check, including: Aphids Cabbage maggots Potato beetles Corn earworms Cucumber beetles Flea beetles Japanese beetles Nematodes Squash bugs Marigolds have a distinctive aroma that may even discourage rabbits from nibbling your prize posies. What to Plant with Marigolds There are a number of vegetable plants that can benefit from the addition of marigolds in the garden. Here are some common vegetables that enjoy marigold companions: Cucumbers Melons Eggplants Squash Potatoes Lettuce Pumpkins Tomatoes Asparagus Beans Onions When planting flowers and foliage plants as marigold plant companions, select those that share the same growing conditions. Marigolds are drought-tolerant plants that thrive in sunny, hot weather. They aren’t fussy about soil type, but well-drained soil is an absolute must. Consider size as well, as marigolds range from petite, 6-inch French marigolds to 3-foot African marigolds that show up best in the back of the flower bed. While you can plant marigolds alongside flowers of similar hues, you can also choose plants in complementary colors. For example, blue and purple flowers are complementary for orange and yellow marigolds. A color wheel can help you determine what complementary colors might work in your garden. Here are a few ideas to help you decide what to plant with marigolds: Allium Coreopsis Dusty miller Angelonia Gerbera daisies Asters Salvia Lantana Bachelor buttons Lavender Clematis Roses Geranium Zinnias Printer Friendly Version This article was last updated on 04/04/18 Read more about Marigold

Read more at Gardening Know How: Marigold Companions: What To Plant With Marigolds https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/marigold/marigold-companion-plants.htm

That's a great idea @Sophia1

I have a small paved back garden and I grow herbs mostly in pots - the lettuce my daughter set last year failed with the heavy rain we had in December and either died or shot to seed but this year I have healthy lettuce plants that have grown from the seeds and these are doing very well

atm I also have parsley and lemon thyme

When it comes to healthy soil I could ask my daughter for her advice the next time I see her - I get a good potting mix for my pots - your supplier can tell you the best mix for your situation

And I also have a selection of cacti and succulents on my kitchen window sill - these don't last long - I have a brown elbow - I am not good at gardening

However one thing I can add is not to try and grow carrots in a good soil - they tend to overgrow and can develop into a mysterious lot of shapes - good for entertainment but really hard to prepare -

Actually - after my annus horribilis I have to get my garden going again - I am not planning to go away until late summer so it's a good time to get new stuff started

My daughter helps me a lot with my garden - fortunately for me and the plants

Dec

@Maggie

great response and how on earth could I have forgotten about marigolds...

I love them and have planted them in past gardens over the years...

also remember someone at some stage of life telling me about their aiding pest control..

other plants that you mentioned have just disappeared from my memory...

quite concerning how bad my anxiety and isolations have been...

I am now starting to notice what effect all of this has had on my life and for how long...

so on my shopping list ...at the top...marigolds...

have one tomato plant in...I think that I already wrote about the other stuff...

have some salvia...forgot about zinnias...

smiled at the size of the 3 foot african variety...might look for some..

asyllium...lobelia .french lavender..lantana gerberas..coreopsis have had all of these...

geraniums have in pots...clivia also I love..have three pots full..found two three thriving rose bushes that look as though they have been pruned well in front garden...need to trim an overhanging tree...

am excited even more now...thank you so much

having another hospital spell perhaps although not wanted might be beneficial long term...lovely that you have met some likeminded people with similar creativity...I met a lady who lives behind who loves gardening...

furbabies are the best medicine..

life is looking up for us Maggie dear...

big gentle hug

@Owlunar

I think that pot planting is a great idea for smaller areas...can look stunning...

I have repotted a lot of cuttings given to me by friend as well as planting them in front and back gardens...

more pots to move again laugh...

cactus can be temperamental..

I still have a plant that I bought for my older son when he was about 12...miniature boring looking cactus with stunning flowers...

lettuce in a pot...yes would like to hear about which soil possibly specially for vegetables and fruit..

I bought premium potting mix..

am very excited...lovely to pick baby capsicums and chives grown in the back garden for salad...

I go outside and look at each plant every day laugh...

I can't keep up with all of these conversations on all of these threads...

head spins...

take care dear dec

big gentle hug for you too

well folks...all who pass by

I am worn out...

so many threads...

wonderful to be thought of and tagged...

lovely to feel included and cared about

oh dear tears coming did not even know that they were there..

it has been such a huge week and a half

moving

"family member" in amongst it all...

have achieved unpacking of stuff put down in kitchen dining area and living room

attempted to sort wardrobe...

have not unpacked shoes yet...I love shoes...

thinking will just keep them all in large box and fish them out if and when need them..

thankfully I have dinner all prepared just last minute salad and cooking chicken..

take care all

group hug