companion planting

This photo is a bit outdated at this point (taken July 9), as my garden is now reaching twice the size as shown, but I wanted to talk a bit about the marigolds that you can see planted among the tomatoes and other greens.



I had read somewhere, (and honestly I don't know where) but I realize that it is probably common knowledge that marigolds provide terrific pest control around tomatoes. The first spring we lived in this apartment I tried to do some container gardening, and the herbs were overtaken by little gnat-like creatures that bored their way into the leaves of the herbs and stayed there. They were impossible to wash out, and the natural garlic spray I mixed was useless, so my thyme and oregano lived for decoration alone. A neighbor told me that she has had a terrible time keeping anything because of these bugs, so she just gave up planting.

Although my science is not yet on solid ground, my plants have been mostly pest free thus far. I did buy some garlic and peppermint spray from the Brooklyn Botanic garden shop, but have only had to spray a few times at the beginning of the summer. Could it be the marigolds? Could it be the mixed beds? Could it be fate? To really find out I would need to create a control... but I can't bear sacrificing seedlings in the name of progress. Maybe next year.

the tomatillo

The husk tomato is a food staple in Mexican cooking. As the main ingredient in green salsa, it's utilized in dishes from enchiladas to chilaquiles. Pancho's mother purees a green salsa with avocado, making a thick, smooth sauce which is great on fried fish or eggs.

Having never grown this type of plant before, the cultivation was a total experiment. I was concerned that the soil in my garden bed would not be sandy enough for these southern-grown seedlings to root and prosper, but I combined them with jalepeno and poblano pepper plants, and put sage and basil in the gaps, hoping that the mix would create an environment that would allow the plants to nutritionally support each other. Well, I don't know if it's the combination planting, or the compost rich soil, but the tomatillo plants are doing fabulously. The grow tall, like tomatoes, but spread into bushes, attaching their branches to each other in a web of long green stalks and pretty yellow blossoms.

The pic shows the beginning formation of the outer husk that the tomatillo will eventually grow into. At this stage, I have about 35 hollow husks, hanging like chinese lanterns off the long stalks.

breaking the silence

the United States Postal Service has broken me out of my silent sleep.... these stamps are too lovely to be true. i can't wait to buy them.