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formerly RGG

In the past few years I have become interested in companion planting. Marigolds are one of the companion plants recommended for watermelons. Two years ago I tried a mass planting of dwarf marigold plants around my watermelon hills.Trouble was the plants grew really fast and despite being described as dwarf, they grew quite large. I was too slow to realize what a problem they were creating and took too long in removing them. So they ended up being a detriment instead of an aid to my melon plants. So last year I utilized no marigold plants at all. This year I am using them again as I believe they will aid in the establishment of excellent soil microbiology for my melon plant roots to grow into. I will keep a close eye on them and will try really hard to not let any marigold tops get in the way of my melon plants. Also, I am still having groundhog problems and as groundhogs love to eat marigolds they will act as excellent bait plants to hopefully help keep the groundhogs from eating as much on my melon plants.Are any of you other growers using companion plants ?

5/31/2015 10:16:37 PM

Bethlehem CT

I like your idea TD.

6/3/2015 7:18:14 AM

formerly RGG

Thanks John, I hope some other growers give this a try.

6/4/2015 10:11:05 PM

Peru

I just use mothballs 1 foot apart, nothing comes in my patch. I live next to a 400 acre woods

7/1/2015 8:35:58 PM

Yes, I do a lot of companion planting for pest control, insecticide reduction and also, for nutrient sharing. I recommend with ground hogs that you fence the area in burying the bottom of the fence well underground. I use marigolds as well, but melons are in love with being planted in amongst corn,pumpkin, radish and winter squash. marigolds do deter beetles, but I find planting oregano and nasturium throughout the patch is really the key. I have studied this and applied companion planting and it really works!!

7/2/2015 9:16:59 PM