Cucumbers.
(Courtesy: Jim, the photographer at flickr.com)
One thing I’ve learned is that gardeners need to take time out of their busy week to surf the Internet. Honestly, you never know what you’re going to find. There are interesting suggestions on household items that can be used to improve the health of plants, strange concoctions that can be used to rid your garden of pests, unique ideas on how to protect your plants during a cold snap and on and on.
One item I tripped over during my daily review of the Internet describes planting tricks that help to encourage faster growth of certain flora, achieving sweeter vegetables, protecting one species of flora with the help of another, and more.
Sunflowers.
(Courtesy: Todd Feasley at flickr.com)
Consider this!
It is suggested that you plant cucumbers nearby sunflowers. The result is sweeter cucumbers. The reason? Both plants thrive in similar soil conditions and thus assist each other in gathering the proper nutrients. Moreover, the taller-stalk sunflowers offer cucumber plants support on which to climb.
Perhaps it is your tendency to plant an even number of flowers together. Actually, many suggest that you plant in odd numbers. It helps the garden look more balanced and thus more pleasing to the eye. The arrangement appears more natural and tricks observers into thinking that the plants are bigger and healthier.
Lavender.
(Courtesy: Tony Donnelly at flickr.com)
Many may not realize that one plant installed next to another plant can protect that plant from pecking birds. For example, some suggest that you plant crocuses next to lavender. The birds are attracted to the fragrant flower of the lavender and will leave the blooming bulbs of the crocuses alone.
I bet you do your gardening during the day. It might surprise you to discover that people who plant at night get faster growing and stronger garden plants than you can get planting during the day.
Taking advantage of the size of your plants can help in the total composition of your garden. For example, many expert gardeners advise that you place the shorter plants on the south side of a vegetable garden and tall plants on the north side. This will prevent the taller plants from casting a shadow over the smaller crops.
Crocus.
(Courtesy: Sue Nurmi at flickr.com)
Finally, don’t throw out that cooking water. It is filled with all sorts of vitamins and nutrients that plants love. It is suggested that you let the water cool down to room temperature and then use it to water the plants. The result will be a greener garden.
