HERBS
Certain herbs and plants have a growth and positive effect on each
other---another good reason for planting herbs in the garden.
Some herbs repel and confuse pests--others attract predators, which
help naturally to keep the pest population under control--for e.g. wilde dagga, [leonotus
leonurus], Katstertjie [bulbine fructesens] and honeysuckle [lonicera periclymenum]
attract small birds, which feed on larvae, and lavender repels moths.
Another way of enhancing plant growth in the garden is to plant
physically complementary plants together--e.g. corn and peas--the corn supports the peas
and the peas fix nitrogen in the soil. |
FERTILISING
Use organic fertilizer or compost, it enhances the soil whereas
chemical fertilizer has a negative effect on the soil.
Some vegetables when left to go to seed repel weeds
and their root system aerates the soil e.g.-radish, mustard and cabbage.
Click here to look at the
companion planting charts |
MINI ECOSYSTEMS
Have a small area, which grows wild; not disturbed by the imposed yearly
changes you do in the garden.
A stabilized mini ecosystem can harbor predators which help keep pests under
control. Plant some rocks in the garden, which harbor predators and conserve water.
Watch your house pets-for instance the cat can destroy butterflies and birds, which
normally prey on garden pests.
In getting the plants to help you garden it is usef
Click here to look at the companion planting charts
|
MULCHING
Holds water and create humus. Herbs like comfrey lose their leaves in winter and make
wonderful mulching material.Other nitrogenous mulching
materials are Lucerne, Port Jackson leaves, peas, beans and sweet peas.
Untreated Wood shavings and bark conserve water and minimize
weeding.
The following have been gleaned from folklore and from personal
experience.
I have found that planting a profusion of aromatic herbs both as borders and interspersed
between the plants, I have had good insect free crops.
What grows well one season may be pested out the next due to weather, altered reproductive
cycles, polution and other reasons. |
SNAILS
AND SLUGS
I find that when I plant a mini hedge of katstertjie [ bulbine fructesens] or wild garlic
[tulbaghia violacia], snails tend to gravitate to that area and come out in the evening to
congregate. The leaves are longish and spiky and quite fat and the snails seem to like
that bushy space they make .the plants grow thickly and the cool is snail land.This is
not ideal but it keeps the snails from going into the tender areas of the garden. Snails
are notoriously fond of beer. Put out some beer in a tin at soil level, they usually drink
thereof and getting drunk --fall in and drown---not exactly the Buddhist way.
I believe oak mulch helps to keep them away, never tried it myself though...
Salt has an immediate effect on snails but you have to hit your target---try not to
spill much salt in the growing area. |
