Beneficial Garden Design

COMMENTARY

• Garden beds should never be wider than your height to allow easy harvesting
• The”stadium seating” approach: Tall plants at the back, medium in the middle, short in front
• Vertical trellising for heavy fruits like watermelons is possible with support hammocks
• Companion Planting
  • Optimizes nutrient use and plant health
  • Attracts beneficial insects for natural pest control
  • The “Three Sisters” garden (corn, beans, squash) exemplifies beneficial companion planting

Weed Management

COMMENTARY

• More about the “Three Sisters” companion planting method for garden health and pest control
  • Corn, beans & squash
  • Melons, radishes & nasturtiums
• Organic weed management
  • Soil solarizing technique explained as an effective pre-planting weed management strategy
  • Flame and steam weeders as organic weed control options
  • Bermuda grass control methods include biological inoculants and cardboard layering for eradication

RESOURCE

• “Ultimate Garden Summer Camp” for kids 6 to 15 at Queen Creek Botanical Gardens

Living Soil Enhances Success

TEXT

• Any soil recommendation for container gardening

COMMENTARY

• Worm castings and compost enrich soil with beneficial microbes for nutrient absorption
• The ‘dent test’ for bagged soil if it contains living organisms or dead soil
• Companion planting alongside tomatoes include celery, onions marigolds, peppers and basil
• Focus on routine gardening over binge for consistent care and gardener satisfaction