Companion Planting

Since it's still pretty early in the season, now's the time to think about companion planting. For those who aren't sure what that is, it is the method of planting certain plants next to each other to complement their mutual growth or function (such as repelling mosquitoes).

This is a great idea and especially important for small space and container gardening, not only because space needs to be maximized, but also because certain plants actually provide nutrition that other plants need (a symbiotic relationship creating a natural fertilizer for pots with little soil). This is something that I definitely am going to take more into consideration this year...or, well, take into consideration this year, I should say.

I've found a few charts to help you decide what goes with what, so have fun planing!

A simple chart including explanations:

(click image to enlarge)

A nice and thorough chart, including functions as well:

(click image to enlarge, or click here to open as a .pdf file)

Seems easy enough to stick a few onions here and there!

Dehner Garden Center

After driving back from an appointment I had today, I saw a HUGE garden center on the way, and of course had to stop....

and it was fantastic!


I'd previously only done my garden shopping in town, where the best option I've found so far is Max Bahr (kinda like a Home Depot type of store). While the seed and accessory selection is somewhat limited, you can get various kinds of soil, some plants, and your basic needs.

At Dehner, I felt like I'd died and gone to heaven! I was in awe. Greenhouses, seeds, fertilizers, plants (incl. exotic ones), garden supplies, my oh my! And it was really huge. Of course I stocked up on some things I really needed - an all-purpose liquid fertilizer, a water can, some red onion bulbs (going to try them this year for the first time), 3 succulents (for a pot indoors), and a philodendron for inside as well.

I really restrained myself.

But now I know where to go for the good stuff!

Welcome!

Happy Spring!

I love Spring, it means new beginnings and fresh starts! And best of all, gardening! Can't help but to get excited about what my seedlings will bear. Yet, believe it or not, I've been gone and busy and have not yet started my garden for the year. Time to get started!

Part of getting stared this year was creating this blog, geared toward people interesting gardening in a big city, or just some stories! I was surprised to find out that I know lots of people who, upon hearing that I like to grow veges on my balcony, were also interested in this but didn't have a clue where to start...maybe here's the place for that.

I also spend a good part of the year growing, tending to, thinking about, and enjoying my balcony garden, and hope that my stories inspire (or at least somewhat entertain) you!


As always, I am up for trying new things.

One new challenge for my garden this year - building or getting some sort of trellis for my squash plants to climb up. Haven't attempted this yet, and need some ideas of how to build it and secure it to my cement wall.

At best, the squash will be sharing this wall with some pole beans...at worst it all falls apart or they get in a fight and kill each other...

Take a look at my past gardens to see how they've turned out the past few years and what I've attempted.

Feel free to visit some of my picks of gardening on the web as well for more inspiration!


Also important...feel free to contact me at bhornk (at) yahoo (dot) com if you have anything you'd like me to post about or have anything you'd like to say!

Enjoy!