Companion Planting

Companion planting has, in my adult life, been a focus when establishing a vibrant, healthy environment for fruit trees and berry bushes. Recently I planted three bareroot raspberry bushes from Grow Organic along the west side of my house. Then the herbs purchased from The Growers Exchange in 4" pots were planted on the optimal day for them to thrive.

1 Borago officinalis (Borage blue)
1 Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm)
1 Symphytum officinalis (Comfrey ‘Common’)
2 Tanacetum vulgare (Tansy)

My "go to" guide for planting companions is Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening 1975 by Louise Riotte. My copy was published in 1975 so I have successfully used this guide to plant MuRefuge, SantaFeRefuge and now PageRefuge. These gardens have flourished.  

The blackberries have been planted on the north side of the shed a few years ago. Thus I decided to plant the raspberries on the south side since Riotte suggests planting them no closer to one another than 600 feet. She goes on to say that this provides some space for avoidance of contamination of either one with viral disease.     

        Borage blue (Borago officinalis) provides organic potassium, calcium + other natural minerals that are beneficial to plants. "Grow this herb in orchards" as well as a border for strawberry beds. Honeybees like to feast on the blossoms."

        Comfrey is high in calcium, potassium and phosphorus as well as  rich in vitamin A and C. The leaves are fabulous to spread on raised beds or put in the compost pile since their carbon-nitrogen ration is similar to "that of barnyard manure."

        Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) also called "bee herb". Melissa is Greek for "honeybee". If the leaves are using for making a tea to drink, the tea calms the nervous system and stimulates the heart. Some believe it will even "dispel headaches or migraine".

               Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is a good companion to both blackberries and raspberries. "It deters flying insects, Japanese beetles, squash bugs" as well as "helps repels flies and ants".

Tansy in the foreground
and Comfrey nearest to the fence.

Borage 
Lemon balm
Tansy (nearest corner of the house)

Cercis occidentalis (Western redbud)
with flowers opening
and the contrast with the
white wall of the house is stunning.

And changing the focus from plants to birds, I have noticed at the bird feeders what probably are fledging birds. Obviously one parent or another has brought them to the feeders in my backyard. To me they are just so cute. They do not seem as skittish as their adult parents since they remain still as I approach. 

As I get organized, plant, and write this post, I enjoy a belly