[leeky]

Also, herbs often attract natural pollinators to the garden, such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, which contribute to the production of fruits, vegetables and seed in the garden

Last thing I need is any more blooming hummingbirds ... dodo everywhere as it is

hummer dodo no good for composting then?  

[WG.]

hummer dodo no good for composting then?  

Not really no.  Prefer the dodo droppings for the compost heap.

[GrannieAnnie]

Some people say companion planting like this is wonderful, some say its a lot of rubbish, but all we can do is give it a go and see what suits us!!!

I'm going to do a bit of companion planting this year, and if nothing else, it'll give a bit more colour in amongst my veggies!!!!  OH will probably take the mick, as he usually does until I'm proved right (which I usually am!!!! lol)

[leeky]

hummer dodo no good for composting then?  

Not really no.  Prefer the dodo droppings for the compost heap.

I see!  



Nematodes. all itchy now

http://nematode.unl.edu/wormgen.htm

[muntjac]

i use companion planting and it werks ok for me  if you put enough barriers down

[Trillium]

Whiskey Golf you must have pretty good eyes to see hummer dodo.    Or do you have to look closely?    
Notice you're also a Jeff Foxworthy fan. Lotsa s@@t there    

[WG.]

Notice you're also a Jeff Foxworthy fan. Lotsa s@@t there    

Didn't know the source of that quote but now that you mention it, I have heard of him.  Must have been when I lived in Texas (long time ago).  

[Trillium]

Yep, it's a Jeff Foxworthy Redneck quote, all right, among many thousands of other hilarious ones.    Don't think his stuff gets across the pond much though, otherwise a Redneck would get his boots and spurs wet trying to run across the pond.    

[yummy]

They have germinated already  :?

[ziggywigs]

I tried the companion planting last year and used nasturtiums and marigolds it seemed to work ok for aphids but not for the cabbage whites!  

[WG.]

I tried the companion planting last year and used nasturtiums and marigolds it seemed to work ok for aphids but not for the cabbage whites!  

Surprises me.  I had lots of CW caterpillars on the nasturtiums - assume they'd have been on the cabbages otherwise.

Incidentally, if you grow nasturtiums for eating, beware of earwigs in the flowers.

[ziggywigs]

Just out of interest WG how close to the cabbages did you plant the nasturtiums?  Wonder if mine weren't close enough.

[WG.]

Just out of interest WG how close to the cabbages did you plant the nasturtiums?  Wonder if mine weren't close enough.

They were actually at the other side of the garden come to think of it (40m away).  I did get some caterpillars on the brassicas but I can often be seen swiping butterflies with my old badminton racquet like a deranged Ilie Nastase.  I also rub off the eggs whenever I see them.

Reckon the nasturtiums helped though (gauging the habits of the butterflies).

[ziggywigs]

My nasturtiums were closer about 2 -3m but as far as i'm aware they only attracted aphids....unfortunately the cabbage white had a field day despite netting and me rubbing off the eggs....and to make it worse i got large and small whites....'twas the smaller ones that did the most damage.  

Although i love tennis think i'll put finer netting over 'em this year.

Don't tell me you have a midgey racquet for 'em?  

[WG.]

I think they'll lay eggs through netting if it is resting on the leaves.  And yes, I know they prefer the underside.

Midges have been known to drive a grown man to absolute distraction and dashing for cover.  Boy can they be bad because everything they like is around me - heather, water and trees.

The only repellant that works even half-decently is a cosmetic; Skin So Soft by Avon!  So if you ever meet me in summertime, you shouldn't be alarmed by how sweetly I smell.