How to get the most out of your garden, mix Flowers with Vegetables

It’s no secret that hard work pays off. The same holds true for gardening. Gardening starts long before the first seed is planted. A good garden actually can get started right after the fall harvest season.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Good soil
• Fertilizer
• Garden Tools
• Seeds and Plants
• Fence
• Stakes
• Labels
• Hose
• Sun

1. 
   Squash just starting to grow! Wow, it's exciting.

   After you have harvested all your vegetables and the garden is done for the year, turn the old dead plants back into the soil. This will put nutrients back into the soil.

2. 
   Spaghetti Squash

   If you have a greenhouse you can start your plants early and be ready for the planting season. If not you can still get the plants you need from your local garden store.

3. 
   Plant Sunflowers on one side of your garden.

   After your plants are in it is always a good idea to have room for flowers. This is called “companion planting”. I like to plant marigolds, asters in amongst some of my vegetables. I always put a row of Sunflowers in also. The reason for this is that the marigolds and asters repel insects and when you mix them in with the vegetables the insects have a greater tendency to invade other plants.

Tips & Warnings

• Always leave enough room between flowers and vegetables to prevent over crowding.
• Never plant your flowers in such a way that it blocks sunlight from your vegetables.

Resources

• Gardening Supply Online

[delawaregeek]

on 7/3/2009 I like your idea of mixing the contents of your garden to maximize the output.