Companion Planting with the Moon!

So how does one start a veggie garden? Well, firstly you need to decide what veggies you’d like to grow....it’s no good planting 3 of the 4 veggies that you don’t eat! Make a list of those you enjoy the most and then you need to do a little a research....

My dad liked to plant according to the stages of the moon. I have narrowed it down slightly to planting when the moon is waxing (getting fuller) right up to full moon, however, I try not to plant while the moon is waning. The results of an experiment I did proved that seedlings transplanted when the moon was waxing grew much faster and stronger than seedlings, from the same batch, that were planted when the moon was waning (getting smaller).

Have you ever noticed that you get along with some people better than with others? It’s easier to laugh with some while others require you to be more serious. Some leave you feeling exhilarated while others leave you feeling drained? (I haven’t lost the plot...I’m just keeping your attention) Well, the same applies to plants! Some plants grow better and produce more when planted close to certain plants than others. For instance, tomato plants grown next to basil will produce larger and tastier tomatoes and the basil will grow larger leaves. Most plants have companions that benefit them in one way or another. This is the companion plant guide that I use for my veggies....

So, back to the veggie garden! This is what I did..... After clearing the area of all grass and weeds (10m x 3m) I went to the closest riding stables and collected as many bags of horse manure as I could fit into my little van (18 in total). It was mixed with straw and shavings and was still quite fresh (about 2 weeks old). Not having the patience to wait a few months for the manure to decompose I tipped the whole lot onto the newly cleared soil and turned it all in! It was quite a job but boy it was worth it! I was now forced to wait for everything to decompose but after 2 months I was losing patience and the moon was waxing! I had planned the layout of the garden and researched the companion plants....I was ready to plant!