FIVE ways to intercrop for MAXIMUM garden success

[@JohnWood-tk1ge]

I am a life long gardener, I am going for my Cornell Cooperative master gardener title. I find myself giving your You Tube channel and the book Garden Way’s Joy Of Gardening as my two main sources of information to people!

[@sisletscook]

Wish you all the best on getting your title!

[@johnwood738]

@@sisletscook thank you class has been postponed three times to finish.

[@sayyadahmariamfatemah1134]

Best of luck

[@johnwood738]

@@sayyadahmariamfatemah1134 thank you

[@sayyadahmariamfatemah1134]

@@johnwood738 welcome 😊

[@BrickTop06]

Now, THIS makes sense. Your anti-companion planting video from 6 years ago confused a lot of people as you were essentially arguing semantics and you've improved so much since then, as evidenced by this great video.

[@JenniferGermain-rb2xg]

I started planting marigolds and basil around my garden last year and it was the first time I didn't get hornworm or cucumber beetles. It really does work :)

[@shelleygoetchius231]

My sage keeps the majority of pests away from my broccoli and cauliflower! They don’t like the smell, but I love it! 😊

[@susanlindsey4839]

Second yr gardening and I have learned so much from you. Thank you for sharing with us!

[@SmoothOperator319]

YOLO

[@maryellenfountaine1736]

Great tip!!

[@KellieDTravis]

I have always used Marigolds but this year was the first time I've planted Basil by my tomatoes and it does keep the hornworms at bay. I've noticed my tomatoes are smaller this year though. Still trying to figure that one out

[@caroldowns2708]

I've been gardening for over 60 years. This year, for the first time, I randomly planted flowers in my vegetable garden. Observers try to find the scientific basis behind this arrangement. I did it just because it looks pretty. You are right, Luke, the garden is my canvas.

[@Ryudante17]

BIG FAN of yolo intercropping, it's my go to. I just love the way the garden looks when it's a bit wild lol

[@raelgraham8530]

Long time subscriber, certified arborist. I once visited a vinyard in california that had a rose bush at the end of each row of grapevine. I was told that roses can attract insects away from the crop, and are also a great indicator of unfavorable soil conditions, showing the effects before the issues become problematic for the crop. Thanks for the good discussion. Monoculture be damned!

[@BaughbeSauce]

I am SURROUNDED by monoculture farms. Literally. And here i am companion planting and interplanting my heirloom fruits and vegetables. Lol. It makes me so mad with all of these monocultures spraying all of their fertilizers and pesticides, just taking from the land and never giving back to it. It also sits barren and naked for months at a time. People keep wondering why it hardly ever rains anymore. I DUNNO, MAYBE BECAUSE Y'ALL ARE MAKING A DESERT OUT HERE!?!?!"

[@Carlie_flower]

​@@BaughbeSauceisn't it crazy? It's literally part of how we ended up with the dust bowl lol but why would anyone want to learn from their past mistakes? 🥴

[@Acts-1322]

​@@BaughbeSauceTRUTH!!

[@EChord1]

I’ve planted in poly culture for years. It works exceptionally well. My most effective mix for summer is tomatoes, basil, marigolds, calendula, nasturtium and bush beans. The beans in particular are hidden from pests by the other plants, and it creates great habitat for beneficials. I have a phenomenal population of hover flies, lace wings, etc. I never get hornworms either. Also, I leave wasps alone unless they’re aggressive or have built their nest in an inappropriate space - e.g. in the hose reel. Yellow jackets hunted down every last cabbage worm on my kale last year. Seriously- they picked it clean. Great hunters and extremely helpful in the garden.

[@mysticmeadow9116]

Sounds like you have a great garden 🌱

[@tamararoberts9307]

Luke, you're doing a great service to many so don't worry 😉 i have learned from you and I'm 61 😊 love all your videos ❤️

[@jodiebristow3210]

I have never felt as confident in gardening as I do after finding your channel. Your videos are always packed with so much information but simplified for some of us more simple folks. Thank you for all you do to help us be better gardeners!

[@deepayne1930]

Would love to see more on container/raised planter gardening as I am disabled, love gardening and that is all I can do. I have already binge watched your very old videos on the subject and enjoyed them.

[@Tinyteacher1111]

Same here, but I have a small raised bed garden. I got sick again when I wanted to start growing seeds inside, so once again, I’m late! I think I’m going to container garden next year.

[@Gandoff2000]

I liked Luke's channel a lot. I also like Mark in Australia (Self sufficient me). He has waist high raised bed.

[@deepayne1930]

@@Gandoff2000 Thanks-will look him up.

[@bradis7802]

I would check out gardeningwithleon2816. His container method really works well. I didn’t really like gardening until I tried his method during Covid, it was so easy to keep the plants alive even on hot summer days.

[@teukieangelica]

You could look up epic gardening. He’s got more space now but he started with container gardening

[@jonniricard7460]

I planted out a bed of garlic last fall and then my dog ended up trampling it and I didn't handle it fast enough, only about 5 or 6 of them ended up coming up this spring. I had a bunch of seeds lefts over from a few years ago and so I emptied all the oackets in a cup. Sprinkled them over the bed and covered it with a some soil. So it is ny mystery bed. I have carrots, different brassicas and radishes growing that I recognize. It was fun to see how much actually came up. I wasn't sure much would germinate, a lot did and I am enjoying the heck out of it! YOLO

[@trishthehomesteader9873]

Thanks Luke! I realized last year that I really wanted flowers in with the fruit and veggies. I started planting more flowers for the esthetics. They make me smile. Yes, the bees and hummers like it too. 🙂 Blessings! 💜

[@sisletscook]

They bring a smile to my face as well!

[@lovecara1]

I have only been gardening since end February this year and have an allotment. I still felt totally overwhelmed with all the info, but your videos always put a smile to myface. You explain things so well and with passion that I feel a lot more confident now.Thank you so much for all you do.

[@blairmorrison6913]

Garden as Art, yes that makes me happy. My garden is absolutely my art and creative outlet 😊

[@jasongibbs5357]

1. Pest Control 0:20 2. Environmental Benefit 3:11 3. Pollination Benefits 5:35 4. Decoy Plant 7:46 5. YOLO Intercropping 10:59

[@rowdiegurl]

One of my favorite things that you did, was a couple years ago when you just threw 6000 of seeds in a bed and watched to see what happened! That was such a lesson in natural selection for me! As a matter of fact, I think I'll go back and watch those videos again now. Talk about YOLO gardening at its finest...😁

[@rachaeloverman7848]

Yes I love planting flowers throughout my garden!

[@ritamccartt-kordon283]

In the late 70's I came upon 2 books. Carrots Love Tomatoes, and Roses Love Garlic. Both books were written by Louise Riotte. They are both about companion Planting. I have referred to them often. I'm sure there are many other books too. By companion Planting you also draw in beneficial insects like Honeybees! It makes your garden beautiful too! GOD bless

[@adelineparinduri]

No.4 Decoy. I use Nasturtiums for that. But I don't like to participate in a discussion (in my local gardening group) because most of the formally educated/experienced gardeners disagree and discourage ppl to do it. Kinda being a little mean to ppl who likes to try different/various things. They think decoy plants actually attract pests (that might not come to your garden and destroy your plants in the first place). We live in an area surrounded by canola fields etc and yes, flea beetles always come by every year 😅 No.5 YOLO 😂 I just found out a few days ago that I shouldn't plant alliums next to legumes. I already planted everything in my small garden for the past month. I was in panic mode, thinking I should move one of them again and give them an unnecessary transplant stress. I then sat with my coffee and just watching my peas and onions growing in front of me and realized, my peas are doing fine! They are not stunted (direct sown after I transplanted my onions). So yeah, we'll see what happens. Whatever happens, it's a learning curve. Might as well enjoy it and not stressing out about breaking the rules all the time! Thanks for the video, Luke! Happy gardening!

[@raistlinhughes5656]

What were the little redberries from the blueberry story?😂

[@rebeccar1134]

You definitely did YOLO intercropping when you randomly spread the seeds in the bed. That was such a cool experiment!

[@Tree-thingz]

"Yolo!" I had no idea I was intercropping. My fingers are crossed for an abundant harvest.

[@minority_threat]

I SO appreciate the nod to what I like to call “chaos gardening” 😂😂 I move around a lot, and if I’m only going to be in one spot for a season or two, I’m gonna grow whatever I want wherever I can! The magic and serendipity and variety (of foods, learning experiences, colors) that results from mixing a little mischief into the order is soooo worth the potential sacrifice in yield.

[@richardmace5429]

Oh, please try to find out what that plant is that the farmer was growing between his blueberries. I have such a hard time getting blueberries from my plants because of the birds. I'd love to try planting those to see if that helps. Bird netting is such a pain.

[@tammimerritt9011]

Yes! Would be great to know

[@mosesmerlin8882]

Lingonberry. ☺️

[@tammimerritt9011]

Thank you so much

[@gardentours]

My experience with three sister gardening was amazing. The yield was much better than when I didn't do it. I've experience as well that calendula is very helpful for growing tomatoes 🍅🌱🌼

[@sisletscook]

Great info! Thanks!

[@Tinyteacher1111]

Did you use a book? I want to find out what kinds of things I can grow on a small slope that my dog can’t get into, if that makes sense.

[@maryellenfountaine1736]

Thx 4the tomato tip

[@reneemcclure-ke7bg]

I did the YOLO a few years ago. I planted 2 varieties of pumpkins. Never grew pumpkins before. They took over the whole garden, but I had a blast growing them!

[@truthdetector624]

Thanks MI Gardener Team! The berry bushes I ordered arrived healthy and ready to go. Great Job.

[@5points7019]

I have tried for 8 seasons now to grow lavender in iowa and I can't get one to survive the winter TO SAVE MY LIFE. Had no problem in Michigan! I love lavender but I ain't movin back lols

[@idamcneill8005]

Just wondering if maybe you had more snow cover in MI. It actually keeps the ground warmer during winter

[@marley9904]

Same here, live in Toronto, Mr lavender last year didn't survive the winter this year . Is it bc there are lavender that are not perennials?

[@mysticmeadow9116]

Tiptoe, try putting in pots at the end of the season and overwintering in your garage or basement with a plant light. Might work?

[@5points7019]

@@idamcneill8005 I've got the same amount of snow, wind and cold as I did there 😳

[@5points7019]

@Marley if Toronto is in the same zone as the Detroit area it should be able to make it thru the winter. 5b-6a

[@SonniesGardenPA]

Hey Luke, hope you and the family is well. Thanks for all the good info, I will utilize more of these intercropping ideas.

[@Rooted_Traditions]

Thank you sir ! It’s funny how over years of watching you I find myself planting in similar styles and patterns . Thank you for being such a good Influence!

[@annamaria54321]

Well said, Luke! I know what you could do -- how about a "YOLO bed"? Kind of like making a "cut flower bed". Yes, a dedicated space to experiment, cut your own flowers or whatever!!

[@usmc9355]

I am a life long gardener and old fashion farm kids who just can’t stand “Master Gardeners”. Except you. I send all my friends and family to your channel when they ask questions because you give real answers. I am 57 but I am still a “YOLO” gardener. Experimenting is fun and sometimes I don’t have enough space for everything. I love beating the odds

[@BNM-b7t]

I try to follow the principals of scripture and within those guidelines I plant what we enjoy eating plus a few new varieties to learn about. Gardening is such a beautiful art. The delight it brings to our lives is rooted in our desire to return to Garden of Eden. HalleluYAH!

[@greenriveracres]

Thanks for giving me a name for the bulk of my planting style 😂

[@thesarabrown]

I’ve gardened for several years now and I have always taken the YOLO approach. Sometimes I win because of it and sometimes I lose 😂 I’m OK with either outcome.

[@MusekPreK]

Luke, you are amazing and you keep doing you, please do not censor yourself ever! You have great knowledge and incredible passion for gardening and anyone who picks apart what you say, or says it doesn’t work has not looked very closely at your success! I wondered, do you think you will ever sell plants or do you and I just haven’t found them?

[@laposa14]

You should make a Yolo bed!! Create a new canvas just for you! It would be fun to see you Yolo a bunch of seeds into a large bed and help them all grow and let us watch! Thanks for all your hard work, you have definitely inspired me to do what I can, but ultimately learn about all different types of plants!

[@sandradunn421]

We love your attitude and content of course. Stay positive! Blessings

[@robingirven4570]

I’m going to try some new stuff this year but I always plant marigolds and basil with tomatoes.

[@42071]

Just googled around, according to iowa state university, merigolds do not repel rabbits. So it's not just the rabbits in my yard. Just a heads up for people.

[@Karryth]

Guys, great video. Very funny and great editing. Stay genuine, keep on growing. 🎉

[@cherylwight3088]

I’ve been gardening for over 50 years, I agree how people will take what you say as law. That’s happened to me. Oh well, evidently my dedication to my garden will never be the same as another’s dedication to theirs. That being said I have used host trees for trapping pests and only those trees will get sprayed with pesticides. For example, I have birch trees that attract the Japanese beetles like crazy. That leaves my garden and other fruit trees less affected. It’s easier to gather what beetles I get off of my desirable fruit trees. Also early cherry trees do the same thing. It only takes a tree or two, but the space donated to these trees are well worth donating. I don’t get every single beetle but it sure puts a dent in them.

[@JanieOlmsted]

Luke- what are good companion plants for blueberries?

[@waynespringer501]

Much better now there isn't ads in the videos. Thank you Luke!

[@valtoton2982]

I am as waiting for this, you gave us a teaser during your live today. I had to miss a few minutes of the live because the mailman rang my doorbell and handed me 2 packages from some MIgardener place lol. I was we very excited to receive my bare root strawberries, I grabbed the Seascape, as well many packs of seeds, some beautiful lettuces for succession planting, I'm especially excited to try the Pablo lettuce as well as the Atomic red carrots! Also, I'm finally attempting to start green globe artichokes from your collection to overwinter them for production ~ harvest next year! I'm currently growing Imperial Star artichokes, a proven NJ annual. All 9 seed packages were beactiful and informative! And the strawberry roots were fresh and healthy! Thank you!

[@pixarisking]

Thanks for the reminder to keep gardening fun! Sometimes I think we get too rigid in our thinking or ways of doing things and forget to enjoy the moments no matter how things turn out!

[@michellesfinebeadedart8140]

I love the content of your videos. I learn all the time from Mi Gardner Videos. Thank you .

[@gmpgmp5488]

Thank you!!!! Intercropping- your experience and explanation are simply invaluable!!!!!

[@SoxInTheGarden]

YESSS, YOLO all the way! And being an artist, I love that you used that creative analogy. ❤ I have all kinds of experiments in my garden, and I look to folks like you for pertinent info, but I enjoy the freedom of taking that knowledge and doing with it whatever works for me. Thx again for another great video! ❤❤❤

[@LisaMagoulas]

Luke, you’re so awesome to be so real and down to earth. High five.

[@roserainy7586]

Love the yolo option 😂. I'm so chaotic with my gardening, that basically describes all my plantings.

[@purplemoose1436]

Love the YOLO. Thats my type of gardening 😂

[@louellenhackel9310]

Thank you for the great information and breaking it down for the intended purpose 😊

[@brandywineblue]

Luke I love your views on life as well as gardening. And you are so young! I wish more people of all ages would be more aware of what they say, who's listening, and not want to set people up for failure. Gardeners are nurturers!

[@peacejoyblessings3735]

Thank you for the encouragement to do what gardeners want to do! I planted tomatoes in shade and they were fine and planted veggies where I want them to be. I learned from observing what plants like to grow in my area and what doesn't and that volunteer veggies thrive than what I plant. Experimenting and being a good observant to your own garden is more useful than listening from somebody who have a different growing climate than you. Love the videos you shared! ❤🙏

[@ahicks414]

Loving the detail and the freedom - thanks for this video, Luke!🙂

[@mistyfrogskiss4614]

I listened to your cabbage redo and immediately went to my garden to adjust the soil as you recommended. Added the marigold. This one was sent to a local organic blueberry farmer

[@amyb5339]

Perfect information and timely for the planting season.

[@amydesousa-oq9xf]

I'm glad you're not an uptight gardener. I love it that you have fun.

[@araceliadams34]

I enjoy and learn something out of all your videos. I live here in Michigan as well so that's one of the things I like about you. Let's me know when and how to plant. Thank You. Except for the sweet potato I only needed one sweet Potato and I got about 60 slips out of that one. I kept pulling them off and putting them in water in a few days there were more ready to pull off.

[@tracycrider7778]

Same with mine. One from last year plus two other Japanese varieties and I still have probably 15-20 more started off plants. I’m giving them away now 😂😂😂😂

[@ivahihopeful]

I planted a YOLO 18 gallon tote with a Dr. Wyche’s, Hibiscus Roselle, and Cosmos. That’s a lot of roots and height in one place, but so far, so good. I have two more DW tomato plants, so it will be ok if this one performs a little less vigorously.

[@michelesatanove5781]

So glad you mentioned YOLO intercropping! That's definitely my style. If I had to research every last little thing, I wouldn't plant anything. I'm trying to plant as many different plants as I can in my tiny plot, and while I do give some consideration to how much space something will take and what might get shaded out, mostly I just do what looks good. My garden is very pretty!

[@Gandoff2000]

I used to help my dad in the garden so I thought I knew a lot. Nope. I only caught the basics. Last year I put a few Marigolds in my tiny bed that I call my "micro garden lab". Somehow those Marigolds grew into a two foot tall bush! 😮 I planted tomatoes next to cucumbers which over shaded the tomatoes which was a problem. I did have a lot of cucumbers but my tomato crop was small. Lessons learned. Much better this year! I hope😅

[@sheliaheverin8822]

My garden has been a 5 year experiment. If one thing doesn't work, I do something different next year. I've found out that some things work and some don't. Enjoy the process.

[@DanlowMusic]

Sacrificial crop is the term you were trying to spit out. I gotchu bro. Another good video with a lot of knowledge!

[@mosesmerlin8882]

Luke, you’re wonderful. Thank you for your informative videos. They’ve brought so much additional joy to my gardening. I’m so very grateful.

[@olleman420]

I have a long stretch of chain link fence on the east side of my garden (40+ feet). I plan on trellising summer and winter squash, along with cucumbers, all in a row! We’ll see how it works!

[@Saltlifeforme65]

I am thrilled that you are so real! Thanks for all the inter planting tips with this video!!!

[@FrugalGardenerOntario]

I’m so thankful for your channel ❤️

[@thomasessenmacher5987]

I love watching your channel I live in Michigan as well and I am just learning how to do all of this and I'm learning a lot of it from you thank you I appreciate you

[@helenp.6695]

Does this apply to container/deck gardening too? Should I be planting Marigolds for exampled in the container with my broccoli? I too would like to see more container/raised planter gardening videos.

[@jackzampella5758]

First I want to say that I'm so envious of your soil. But I'll get there eventually LOL. Your content is always, always beneficial to me as in beneficial intercropping. ( I know bad pun) As always thanks for your knowledge, Luke. 👍

[@dtpugliese318]

I’m definitely a YOLO gardener. I kinda just plant something wherever I have the space

[@chelseysmith6805]

Thank you, Luke! Love the bunnies in the beginning!

[@donnarodriguez4755]

Learned a lot from your book but learn even more from your videos.

[@simplypatti6705]

I’m trying to help my family live during these difficult economic times. Thank you for the information!

[@debbiedoherty1394]

Great video! I have become a companion planter and I love marigolds! I always inter plant them in my raised beds and in my squash beds! One summer I basically surrounded my squash bed with marigolds and the deer just walked by! I interplanetary lettuce, basil scallions or onions and nasturtiums and marigolds in my tomato beds! Keep up the great videos!

[@idamcneill8005]

All very good ideas, but I really love the yolo! Never know until you try.. If you really depend on the garden for food, just try in a little spot, not whole planting. And, of course, need to keep in mind basic needs of the plants. Wouldn't want to put a swamp plant next to a dessert plant for instance.

[@amygodo4473]

Great video! I learned so great new things about intercropping

[@mommabear2many]

Great video thanks!

[@onacloud866]

Appreciate the info in particular about the marigolds and brassicas!

[@stephanief8860]

I totally have cucumbers next to my zucchini this year😂 both ate doing great... bit of a happy jungle here. Lol

[@BethFerrier]

I'm thinking about planting tomatoes, beans and celery in the same bed. Seems like they should all help each other out. And after seeing your video, I think there will also be marigolds.

[@southerngirl7008]

Trying your tip on planting beets around my tomatoes! Growing beautifully!

[@cheesekake1841]

Amen, Luke! My garden is my canvas, I do what I want! I love that attitude! Yᵒᵘ Oᶰˡʸ Lᶤᵛᵉ Oᶰᶜᵉ 😍

[@lucythomas4077]

Love the content. Lots f good information for sure. Would you be willing to do a video on worm compost. Trying out worm composting with buckets all throughout my small garden. Not worms in them yet but hopeful. Thanks.

[@gaylewest7140]

Love how informative you are. Thanks

[@TorahFirma]

I did a trap crop last year of tobacco to keep the tomato hornworms away from my tomatoes- it worked great and tobacco plants have beautiful flowers to boot!

[@summasunsheeeiiine]

one of my current favorites! thanks for the great info and creativity encouragement

[@karentuzynski7525]

I absolutely love your seeds!! Best ever ❤

[@heathermartin8202]

Trap crops are essential for my garden!

[@targetedplantsguy9481]

I did a hail Mary planting, cuz and unfortunately all of my seeds got wet so I just randomly popped them in the ground and said peace be to you and grow. It is very difficult to manage, however I'm actually learning something so I recommend you do it in a little patch somewhere.

[@ourtravelinghomestead]

My YOLO garden. Due to a very busy remodeling project this summer, I limited myself to one 3x8 raised bed this summer. When it came time to plant, I had a hard time narrowing down my choices. I planted two grape tomatoes, two heirloom tomatoes, a row of carrots, cut and come again lettuce, beet, Swiss chard, cilantro and dill, with marigolds in the cinder block holes. It’s looking amazing! I thin around the tomatoes if they begin to suffer, but everything is doing great now!

[@elzabe87]

Yolo gardening is my favorite!

[@tinabloomfield7228]

I will definitely be putting intercropping into practice this year ❤

[@blessildajoy]

So many concepts in gardening/farming that would benefit humanity too, if implemented.

[@ericawentz2734]

Thank you for shari g your insight and experience, Luke! Best wishes to your family!

[@glennadavis3711]

Thank you for this great information. Love your channel

[@sarabarbera6346]

Love the freeeeedom! 🎉

[@dalegaa4094]

Thanks for all of the useful information. I planted a row of marigold seeds between each row of bush green beans. Sure hope this will keep the rabbits away from them.