Companions

 

Companions

Have you ever planted something

then waited all summer - but, nothing?

What should have produced

became refuse.

One year I planted sweet walla walla onions

on the reverse side of the fence under the pole beans.

Those onions never amounted to anything.

Later I learned about companion planting.

There's quite a study on plant companions.

Who knew vegetables had foes and best friends?

So bear in mind when planting

your vegetable's companions.

Asparagus is friends with parsley and tomatoes but not with onions.

Beans make friends with everyone except garlic and onions.

The kale family is not too fond of strawberries or tomatoes.

You'll find potatoes are not best friends with pumpkins or tomatoes.

Carrots grow well near most herbs, except for dill.

Do not plant cucumbers near sage, or they will not fare well.

Onions will not grow well planted next to beans or peas

though carrots, lettuce, spinach, and tomatoes love peas.

Companions are not potatoes and tomatoes.

Keep summer squash and zucchini away from potatoes.

Here's another take on companions?

Be sure to plant garlic and onions

here and there for their scent will keep away

those unwanted insects that come as prey.

So sow some garlic seeds around your rose bushes.

Or plant winter onions, or shallots or leeks or such

in between flowers and most vegetables.

You'll find you'll spend less on organic "chemicals".

Because marigolds are highly scented

they will also keep away insects, most unwanted.

Plan to plant marigolds in your vegetable garden.

You'll notice fewer pests will visit your bountiful "Eden".

Not only will nasturtiums add color where planted,

they are also natural bug repellents

and every bit of the plant is edible.

Grow some, then set a designer table.

You might purchase a book about companion planting.

The internet has much to offer if you have time for searching.

Keeping a notebook of what works, or not,

is a good habit this year to start.

* * * * *

The Bible states that David and Jonathan were best friends.

Companions, confidants, closer than brothers, gift-from-God friends.

May you have a friendship like that.

Someone you know who will protect your back.

Someone who laughs with you

and sometimes cries for you.

Who's always there for you

whatever you're going through.

Unfortunately people change, friends may move,

life happens, sometimes not the path we'd chose.

We lose contact.

Who will watch our back?

The Bible states that Jonathan helped David find strength in God.

That's the type of friends we need at all times, not just when times are hard.

God will send these spiritual mentors, if we just ask.

He has someone already prepared just for that task.

Read the verse from Isaiah below.

It contains the answer to woe.

Our strength is to be found in God

for God is with us when times are hard.

Now write Isaiah 46:3-4 on an index card

as a reminder when times are hard.

I have, I am, I will – these are God's promises.

Past, present, and future - guaranteed assurances.

Underscore upholds you, carries you,

sustains you, and will rescue you.

That's a promise -

God's assurance.

Now draw a heart around all the yous and yours.

I count 10 in total. Personal pronouns, those yous and yours.

Personal - with YOU personally/individually in mind.

The Bible assures us you are always on God's mind. (Psalm 8:4-5)

And Saul's son Jonathan went to David at Horesh

and helped him find strength in God.

I Samuel 23:16

You whom I have upheld you since you were conceived,

and have carried since your birth.

Even to your old age and gray hairs

I am he, I am he who will sustain you.

I have made you and I will carry you;

I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Isaiah 46:3-4

When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him,

the son of man that you care for him?

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings

and crowned him with glory and honor.

Psalm 8:3-5

Editing this afternoon, I just read why the zucs didn't produce well and why the potatoes are smaller this year. Apparently because I planted the potatoes on the west side of the fence and the zucs on the east side of the same fence, basically side-by-side. They both grew luscious and very tall, but fruits were disappointing compared to previous years. Now I know. Will I remember? Time will tell.