Worms create tunnels in soil and eat organic matter which turns into worm castings that is an incredible compost for your plants! These tunnels allow oxygen to get to roots and increase the soil quality. We also have “composting worms” in both our outdoor and indoor worm bins that turn our kitchen scraps into plant gold! Worm “poop” is one of the best fertilizers you can use in your garden, and it also contains growth hormones for plants!
Beneficial nematodes enter pests through the skin and once they are inside they release bacteria to kill the insect. These nematodes do not harm ladybugs, earthworms, or other beneficial insects and are harmless to plants and humans. Beneficial nematodes help to control countless pests including fire ants, flea beetles, cabbage root maggots, corn earworms, cucumber beetles, onion maggots, white grubs, cutworms, and wireworms.
Ladybugs are not only very pretty and fun for kids to play with, but they eat aphids and other pests in your garden! One single ladybug can eat up to 5,000 small insects in its lifetime! The larvae of ladybugs are long and black alligator-looking creatures with yellow-orange spots.
Butterflies are not only a beautiful addition to your garden, but they are beneficial helpers as well that work to help pollinate your plants!
French tarragon is a plant that cannot be grown from seeds, but only transplants or cuttings. Mexican tarragon (a great substitute!) can be grown from seed or be transplanted. This unique herb adds a wonderful taste to your dishes! This is a great plant to use as a companion to other plants as well since it helps to repel many insects.
Summer savory is a tasty herb that is a great addition to the garden and works great as a companion plant for your vegetables
Q: What do you do with pepper and tomato plants over the cool seasons? Do they survive the winter outside or do they come back in the spring?
Marjoram is a beautiful evergreen plant that is a great addition to your garden. It helps to attract bees, butterflies, and birds.
Apple trees can be grown in even the smallest of backyards by keeping pruned down. Growing your own apples can be such a tasty reward and you will not regret it! There are many varieties of apples and they have different temperaments for your climate. The best zones to grow apple trees in are USDA Zones 4-8.
Aloe Vera makes a beautiful addition to your indoor succulent or tropical garden! It can be planted outdoors if you live in zone 10 or above, otherwise Aloe Vera makes a great indoor plant for your windowsill.