Hello Everyone!

I hope all of you are enjoying an abundant garden this year. I experimented with several herbs this year which I feel significantly reduced my bug population. Don't get me wrong, I still had some pests but no where near the usual menace. Throughout the garden I planted lemon balm, summer savory, tansy, feverfew, yarrow, sage,tarragon, chamomile and catnip along with the usual varities of basil, thyme, dill, oregano and rosemary. I also planted asters, marigold, nasturiums, zinnas, and sunflowers. The insect population has been greatly reduced, except for the blasted grasshoppers!

I planted my eggplants inside circles of bush beans which completely eradicated Colorado Potato Bugs.

My experiment with radishes and squash was not a success, I think because I planted way too many radishes (which I let go to seed) and they overpowered the squash. And I started to see our dreaded squash bugs - the bane of my garden. So, I ended up planted the squash in containers by the house.

I have had a pepper mystery this summer. I plant a lot of peppers, both sweet and hot, and have never had a problem. (I start all my plants from seed.) Very early this summer (late May? June?) I had peppers randomly die. Different varieties in different locations. One would die planted right by one of the same variety that was flourishing. No bugs, mold or anything. Very strange. Luckily I plant a lot of peppers, so we still have an abundance.

I do hope the above herb planting is a help to some of you.

Bella