Weird Things I Do in the Garden That Actually Work

[@LordJesusIlove]

Amen I play in my garden. I love the space God has given me. I thank the Lord for His creation.

[@PorchGardeningWithPassion]

100%! I love to experiment and then share with others what I learn 😀

[@MagpieMarconi]

A weird thing I do in my garden is I refuse to fertilize, except with compost. I plant lots of varieties and then stress test them to find out which ones work best with little to no care, then save seeds. Over time, I have developed a very self-sufficient garden that I only need to tend to for 30 minutes a day.

[@jenniferc4083]

Knowing that I have a short (Zone 6a) season, I started planting my tomatoes closer together becasue they don't have as long of a warm season for growing. I grow them vertically on a trellis, spacing them 6 inches apart in a zig zag pattern on either side of the trellis...so on each side they are 12 inches apart, but staggered zig zag, 6 inches from one to the next on either side of the trellis. I prune up as I harvest, leaving only one set of leaves below each cluster of tomatoes, and then cutting the leaves off when I harvest the tomatoes. Chop and drop the leaves, to help compost and fertilize the plant. This is a combination of several different YT videos I have watched over the years. It absolutely amazes me how well this works out! The most astonishing, to me, is that the tomato plants seem hardier and healthier, and they have been lasting longer into the Fall when the temps start dropping down to freezing and will usually keep producing tomatoes even after the first hard frost. I start out with only using one 34" high hog panel, and towards the end of the season I have to add a second panel on top because the tomato plants just keep growing and growing and growing, producing a ton of tomatoes. So far the tallest have reached almost 6 feet tall! Not bad for only having about four months to grow up :)

[@iwona4685]

I love the idea with the trellis for tomatoes. This just makes sense. They're vines so they should vine. As far as suckers, why would nature make suckers for us to prune them? We challenge nature all the time and we rarely win.

[@lori-annallen9186]

Planted a couple 72 cell trays of marigold, calendula, nasturtium, alyssum, etc...once they sprout and get second leaves I will be squishing those babies in every space between the veg. Have been growing my ID tomatoes on wire fencing for a few years. Works so well that, this year, I am putting cattle panels up as a privacy screen around our sitting area and planting them with pole beans and ID sauce tomatoes (in grow bags). Adding an arched panel between centers of two existing beds for my sungolds...which should create a shadier area between for some lettuce. 🤞 Life is an experiment!

[@ryanhopps7966]

I’ve learned that when I experiment with anything, i might as well expect comments from people, and sometimes they’ll be rude comments. You do a great job at holding your tongue lol. Thanks for what you do and for sharing.

[@YarmouthBotanicals]

A garden "Red Herring." Nasturtiums are my go-to! This is all so refreshing. I know so many people that won't attempt to garden because of "the rules." There's no way to know for sure until you try!

[@baneverything5580]

The internet can give you some basics but growing zones/regions vary a whole lot and the real info you need will come from growers in your area. What works in zone 8 in another region with different conditions may not do very well in my zone 8. My nephew killed a lot of mulberry bushes by following the internet instead of asking someone with local experience. PS: In the fall I let my tomato plants vine across the ground. This way the plant stays warmer as temperatures drop and I can easily cover them with lightweight tarps on the first nights with frost and sometimes extend the harvest for weeks. I also take cuttings of my tomato plants and stick them in pots to overwinter inside because they produce rapidly and grow prolifically in spring compared to seedlings. I take cuttings from the plants in spring to create a tomato patch. Determinate tomato plants will produce more than once in a season and cuttings from them will do the same the next year.

[@MJCarter-MnknLady]

Arugula is beautiful when it goes to seed. It went to seed by my front door. I harvested the seed pods, opened them and spread them around. I’m going to try the tomato trellis. I love the idea of a flower fence! People often intensive plant the container flower garden. It works for veggies, lettuces, and herbs too. Nasturtium gets planted too. Love your tomato wisdom.

[@joycleckley2881]

Plant cat nip by your tomatoe plants as it will repel the green horn worm which will devastate a tomatoe garden. Never knew this, stay open to new knowledge!💚💚💚

[@sandraconner6968]

I like to use flowers on the outside of my bed for pollinators, pests, AND my neighbors! Pretty flowers that are the back of my garden gives my neighbors a prettier barrier than a fence.

[@jellybite1]

Why outside the beds, and not inside, if I may ask. Companion planting works great🤷🏽‍♀️

[@sandraconner6968]

@@jellybite1 I do both!

[@robertschmidt9296]

Years ago, i planted about ten rows of okra about 100 feet long. Each row was actually two rows about 7 inches apart and each plant about 2 or 3 incthes apart within the row. This is seriously overcrowding them and each plant will not produce its full potential but that wasn't my goal, my goal was maximum okra per acre. I got a lot more okra than if I had given them more space. I had plenty of seeds because I saved seed. I plan on testing for the best spacing.

[@AshebaSancho]

I just started gardening 🧑‍🌾 and I never comment on videos but I did because I love that I found your channel. Thank you❤

[@Gardenary]

Welcome to the Gardenary community!

[@Fil-AmGardening]

Yes, I agree, gardening has to be fun I am going to follow your “weird” tips😊

[@GoodThingsEtc]

If I had the room, I would so do the trellis arch for tomatoes . I’m testing your gardening theory this year. I’ll keep you posted.plus I started my first ever worm composting 🌞Happy Spring everyone! Looking forward to getting your book! Maia

[@maiasobers3719]

Wow honey what are the chances I reading a message that I thought that I wrote(with the same content,as well as the same name((same spelling kid you not))? I too have started my first in bed worm composting as well as fell in love with this Gardenary method (so far so good)& oh how much prettier things look. Shout out to Nicole for breaking all of the rules & reviving our kitchen gardens! Happy Spring, Maia Divine

[@GoodThingsEtc]

Very very cool soul sister! It’s not often people have our name spelled exactly the same! I was named after a statue in Italy and you? It’s nice to you Maia! lol

[@jacqnelson6090]

15:03 I have never tried your arch for tomatoes but do an arch for my cucumbers every year love it going to try it for tomatoes thank you

[@aminazulfa2580]

How did it go?

[@tracysullivan174]

Thank You As Always! Your Knowledge Has made My Garden Work! But Adding Flowers And Mixing Things Up Makes It So Inviting And Peaceful And Don't We All Need That Peace....OH Heaven On Earth. You Inspire Me and Thank You For Making My Soul Peaceful. Sincerely, From Canton Georgia!

[@jamielyn848]

I’m here for chaos gardening as a busy mom! I saw your book on Amazon and am glad KZbin recommended your videos!

[@irisseraya1898]

Thanks for reframing my gardening mindset. I’m a novice and I’ve just decided to HAVE FUN

[@Gardenary]

This will be your year of fun in the garden!

[@Mortallifeonearth]

Love it! Your garden is gorgeous! I always plant way too much and get told everything needs it’s space 😂I had pulled back from that but seeing your garden, I’m moving full steam ahead now! Thank you for the inspiration!! Weird methods are the bomb! 😅

[@TheresaPhiri-i6d]

I love these ideas and I think I'll get the information and training that I need since I am just starting but gardening has been on my heart, thank you.

[@lauraheraly3455]

This is so amazing! I recently bought your book about kitchen gardens, and it’s really enjoyable. I’ve been a gardener for a couple decades ago and was feeling burned out this season. You’re giving me great ideas, which is inspiring me again. Thanks!

[@santiagocruz9426]

Psychologist here. This is a necessary field for psychology. It is two sides of the same coin. I know a neuroscientist, new, and brilliant. This Doctor is Brilliant. Perhaps more, I'm not certain I don't know her well yet. The value and correlations are insightful and significant

[@semsimama2191]

These things you mentioned are not weird at all because people have been doing these things in their garden bed for years. Nothing new at all but still informative.

[@TheGDJames]

Ah, that's an idea. i've put tulips and antirrhinums around the edge of my allotment before, but I never thought of putting taller more shrubby flowers around it as a fence.

[@nancycuppy3213]

Thank you so much, Nicole! I have learned so much....love gardening, did a little when my children were little and always thought when they were big and outgrew home that I would pour my time into my garden babies...thanks for all the great ideas...great job and keep going!!

[@minaygabs9441]

My favorite quote of this video: “More is more.” Leaving the sucker is probably the best idea I’ve ever heard! I don’t love huge tomatoes anyway. 😄

[@baneverything5580]

Well, you can create a new tomato plant very fast by cutting off a weak, stunted sucker low on the plant and give it a new very productive life. Same with cucumbers and a lot of other things to get a production boost.

[@flavforpar]

You are an absolute wealth of knowledge!!! Thank you, keep up the amazing work!!!!

[@GermaineRoss-sg9pf]

LOVE LOVE LOVE your advice- been gardening for 30 years and still learning- thank you for sharing these weird tips that make alot of sense!

[@hobbyfarmer1452]

I think it depends on what type of tomatoes that you grow them on trellises. It will be harder for beefsteak tomatoes but easier for cherry tomatoes.

[@rosemarybushea3447]

Love the trellis arch for indeterminate tomatoes and will try it

[@thebradoctor]

I'm definitely trying that tomato trellis idea! And spacing the plants but planting in-between! Thanks bunches!

[@melodylamour6123]

What you do on a small scale is called Poly culture versus a mono culture. And your design is beautiful.

[@JoAnnCavanaugh]

League City TX Looking forward to watching/learning how to garden year round in the south!

[@baneverything5580]

Try Ground Cherries in the South. They produce like crazy in the heat and reseed themselves. Be sure you get the smaller Pruinosa variety and not the larger Peruviana for hot weather because the latter blooms and sets fruit best in cooler fall or spring temperatures.

[@sherrisaunders5327]

I absolutely love your way of gardening! It’s worked for me too. Thank you for everything you teach. God bless you!

[@Sweettomatovine]

I love to have fun in the garden and I definitely break the gardening rules ❤😊💚

[@rebeccawatson9284]

Thanks! I'm kind of a crazy gardener, too! Happy new garden season to you!

[@YourLocalWill69]

I just love your way of gardening! Natural and carefree(with lots of thought beforehand;) thank you. All glory to God! Going to try the advice from your books which I’m ordering!❤

[@deborahmyers4248]

Think I'll try the vining tomatoes on an arch next year!

[@mamao823]

Great idea on flowering plants as fences! I’ll do that this year! Thanks!

[@SimpleNFree3]

Right....❤ play'n in the dirt. 🌿 Thank U Darling 🌿❗️

[@newt52864]

Love your weird ideas !!!

[@michellemacklin4944]

Great information, thank you. Can’t wait to over plant my garden.

[@PorchGardeningWithPassion]

I love doing weird stuff in the garden! 😃

[@cheryltodd2462]

Love your way of gardening ❤

[@susanperkins358]

I love these tips! I’m going to follow you and plant weird, this year.

[@Ninja-lp6cj]

I’m going to do this!

[@atouchofgreenery]

Thank you so much Nicole. I'm a beginner and this is much needed 😍❤️

[@marciahamilton7647]

Thanks for this idea, I will try it this year

[@MS-de7bb]

Wonderful ideas thankyou!

[@suravijoshi758]

Thank you! Love all the information!❤❤

[@flafalaise]

And I just purchased your book. Can't wait to read it!

[@Gardenary]

Thanks for your support!

[@BLVRZ]

You’re amazing my friend,.. great tip I may use with the tomatoes 🍅

[@denisestone9119]

great information, thanks!

[@dianenye984]

Thanks for a fun and informative video looking forward to seeing more

[@LeisurelyLorrie]

Love your channel

[@llmoonshadell5116]

You are fantastic! Thanks!

[@phillygrl7898]

I have a celery growing in a flower pot on my front porch. I didn’t plant it there. It’s got a Mandeville planted next to it with a Cala Lilly, dianthus sweet potato vines , petunias that came back because I didn’t sow those . This celery plant is larger and fuller than the ones in my raked bed.

[@dawnwilliams8766]

Great information! Thank You!

[@jesusiscoming8237]

This is so interesting.

[@virginiaramirez4214]

Loved your ideals. Thank you so much. 🪴

[@lispottable]

I just found you and very excited to listen to your channel!

[@blendandbloom1]

Excited to try your tips

[@philomenabrabazonobroin5236]

Very encouraging

[@annabenedict9419]

Thank you

[@deloresrodrigues7607]

Great stuff. Thanks for

[@anniemorrison1250]

I've seen your methods before, oh yes, it is in my own garden. This year I am growing inside a chicken run with netting over the whole thing. I hope to beat the Japanese beetles this year.

[@TheHappySensitive]

Love this!

[@poetsgarden1]

ooh love that tomato arch but my garden might be too small

[@letadehart1905]

Yes

[@MicheleYoung-w5s]

Such great information 😊

[@giojibear1114]

???? Yes, I'm going to try this! Question about indeterminate tomatoes. Do you prune your indeterminates on the trellis?

[@Gardenary]

Yes, here's a video on how we prune: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn_TkIGJr6ifqpo

[@danielaionescu9473]

I really like the idea of the tomato trellis. The only fear that I have is aphids regarding tomatoes. I always have problems with this.

[@bettyc4345]

Love your videos and concepts of gardening. Do you have any suggestions on garden soil for container gardening? Thanks.

[@Gardenary]

I use the same raised bed mix for my containers too: www.gardenary.com/blog/how-to-start-a-garden-part-6-filling-with-soil

[@Gardenary]

For a small container, you could do organic potting soil mixed with compost for simplicity

[@scottgregory4837]

I like your system for tomatoes on the arch. Have you done that with eggplant? Thank you have a great day.

[@Gardenary]

Eggplant grows more like a bush so you won't really be able to train the vines up the same way you would a tomato

[@BrigittAlvardo]

Love your channel, I'm weird so I get you. Can you tell me where to buy thick trellis , keep gardening weird.❤❤❤

[@Gardenary]

By thick trellises, do you mean metal? We have great options at shop.gardenary.com

[@alyssazuraihmiller]

i wish i would of this season im doing it next season

[@cherylschumacher1832]

I’ve tried growing tomatoes for 3 yrs but the tomato hornworms have a different plan…. Tried different areas, containers and even hanging baskets….hornworms no matter what I do. Have you dealt with this and please tell me how.

[@jeannine9066]

I noticed in this, and another video, that you pick your tomatoes while still green. Do they still ripen well without the Sun or do they end up like pasty tasteless store bought?

[@Gardenary]

If they're fully formed, they will continue to ripen indoors (and taste like garden-fresh tomatoes). I usually only pick green tomatoes if squirrels are stealing them or if the season is coming to an end. I wrote a whole blog on this topic here: www.gardenary.com/blog/how-long-does-it-take-a-tomato-to-ripen-on-the-vine

[@claireledoux1681]

Good morning I live in town appartement block but I have next to my place à parcelle of grass about 100 square feet I am on the first floor I Wood like to make a raised bed I don t Know if the owner Will Day something but it as to look good so this way I won t have problème with neigbors if you have any suggestions let me Know thank you For your video

[@lindagonzalez9774]

Doesn’t all the plants being close together cause a problem with air circulation? I want my garden to look like yours so bad because it’s stunning. But, I live in steamy Florida Zone 9b and I fear that will cause problems. What do you think? Any suggestions? Thank you for providing so much info. I just received both of your books. I’ve been reading through them and dreaming. Lol.

[@Gardenary]

Thanks for buying my books! Pruning and following proper watering techniques (not getting water on the leaves) are key. This ebook has more information about how to plant and tend the way we do: www.gardenary.com/gardenary-planting-guidebook

[@lindagonzalez9774]

@@Gardenarythank you. I just signed up for the courses, planting guidebook and all the other goodies you offered. 🥰

[@JessicaGardens]

New subscriber :) Iove this channel so much. I see you have metal garden beds. Is rust harmful to food ? I have metal beds too and I see lots of rust and I’m just curious :)

[@Gardenary]

Welcome to the Gardenary community! Rust is fine, especially on something like Corten, which is meant to weather to a certain point and then stop

[@JessicaGardens]

@ thank you so much♥️I’ve been having a rusty wheel barrow I wanted to throw things in for the last year and I was kinda scared.

[@flafalaise]

I stumbled across your channel and I have been consuming your content..LOL. I'm a newbie to gardening and would like to know where are the best companies to buy seeds from? Thanks

[@Gardenary]

Welcome! We have a line of Gardenary seeds, all organic and non-GMO, at shop.gardenary.com. They're things I've loved growing in my own garden. I also like Southern Exposure, Botanical Interests, and Baker Creek. Nurseries also typically sell seeds that have been locally produced, which is great b/c those plants are used to growing in your climate

[@giojibear1114]

????what's the best flower to deter aphids and fleabeatles?

[@Gardenary]

I'm not sure flowers will commonly deter insects. They might attract beneficial insects to help you take care of pests though. Here's a video on using flowers as companions in the garden: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGSzlZyMf9N8h7s Here's another video on herbs that WILL deter pests: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHLTcqiCjbRsq9k

[@Merzui-kg8ds]

You must have wimpy rabbits in your area if a flower fence keeps them out. Where I live the rabbits would eat through the flower fence before devouring your food garden.

[@vickiesaewert5552]

You're so weird and fabulous!

[@asyed1995]

Which part globe?

[@hedykarim3614]

When you’re on a budget you use what you have . One of those garden beds cost close to a thousand dollars and then you have to buy dirt .

[@melodylamour6123]

Oh, you're weird?? Hmm, maybe that is why we like you, lol.

[@markdocram1065]

Word is diversion flowers divert pests to them does it work???

[@Gardenary]

Yeah, trap crops like calendula will be covered in aphids, but my leafy greens will be pest-free

[@ThatBritishHomestead]

I love having the flowers but I can't let them die I get attacked to my trap crops

[@pintufresh_]

Thanks for being weird and abundant💙🌈🥕

[@rebeccaford4707]

Maybe I am entering it wrong - can't get to the calendar page, getting an error 404 Page Not Found

[@Gardenary]

Try www.gardenary.com/garden-calendar

[@katieheidinger4635]

I love being weird 🤣

[@danielle3139]

💚

[@katrynlord6516]

Yes correct on tomatoes except for cherry tomatoes. You're never supposed to cut the suckers on cherry tomatoes.

[@Gardenary]

Well, I do, and I get tons of cherry tomatoes...

[@wendybecker-metivier7674]

I'm a weirdo too!

[@HeidiD-t5b]

decoy!

[@pjlacey3990]

I don’t like tomatoes that much. Three tomato plants for me this year.

[@cherrypico3188]

I bet the word "decoy" came to mind as soon as you were done filming huh? Lol

[@OldTimerGarden]

Your tomato Arch wouldn't work for me. I have to stay off ladders.