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LIFE’S FLAVORS 4/22- Tomatoes & Peppers ALLISON LIBBY-THESING OF THE OAKS BED & BREAKFAST

LIFE’S FLAVORS 4/22- Tomatoes & Peppers ALLISON LIBBY-THESING OF THE OAKS BED & BREAKFAST
  • PublishedApril 21, 2023


The Oaks Bed & Breakfast

Spring is in full force and now is the time to finish up your garden if you haven’t already done so. We, over at the Oaks Bed and Breakfast, are always running behind in getting the garden planted. Which in the end is fine and somehow manages to work out.

With that being said we just planted our tomato and pepper plants. Even if you haven’t gotten your plants in the ground, it’s not too late. After all we plant a fall garden as well, so you can always prep for the fall now and then you will be ready to go when the time is right.

No matter if you are choosing to do an in ground garden, raised beds or potted plants, you need to be concerned about spacing. Only one plant per pot will work best for those tomatoes and peppers. If you only plan to grow one variety, select your favorite and pop a pre-grown plant into a pot. No need to worry about staking it up now, you can do that as it grows. I have it on good authority you can even find pre-staked plants for sale, with tomatoes already growing if that is your desire as well. If you are sowing directly in the ground or in raised bed, I would place your plants about 12-18” apart. This will allow for adequate space for your plants to grown and spring forth fruit.

Since we do companion planting we mix in some basil with our tomatoes. This year we plan to optimize our veggie production and have the plant work on producing fruit instead of leaves. How we plan to do this is by pruning excess leaves so the growth energy goes into fruiting. To keep birds and pests away from our fruit we will hang red Christmas bulbs long the cage to deflect fruit invaders.

Now our pepper plants are placed a little closer together. If you have a large enough pot you could probably get away with planting two pepper plants, that way the pollinators are giving way to cross pollination. Which will hopefully produce a larger quantity of plants for you.

I planted our pepper plants in sweet and spicy groups. We have a large variety of options to select from and will at a later point can peppers for enjoying after the season is over. If you are using pots and want to companion plant you might want to think about garlic. Since it grows under the soil garlic will not take up valuable light other than the greens. Garlic and many other companion plants will help deter pests and fungi from encroaching on your plants. If you have the space an egg plant and pepper plant grow well together. They both will harvest at about the same time and require similar soil composition.

Consider adding flowers to the edge of your garden beds or in pots around your container garden to do more than just look pretty. Certain flowers help to keep pests away from your food and provide a food source for beneficial insects that will only help your garden to flourish. Alyssum, marigold and petunias are just to name a few.

Of course, as basil grows it flowers and will draw in pollinators as well as protection against harmful insects and fungi for your garden fun. Do not be intimidated by experimentation. Try something out and see if it works for you. Rotate your crops in the spring and fall to replenish the soil with different nutrients. Either way, have fun and enjoy the experience of growing your own food. It will taste that much sweeter.

Contributed by Allison Libby-Thesing

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpQP8pNzNT5ml9CqehzJEqA



Written By
Taylor Nye

Taylor Nye is the editor of Front Porch News. She has degrees from the University of Wisconsin in human biology, Latin American studies, and public health. She has previously worked at the Wisconsin State Journal, Tucson Weekly and Sulphur Springs News-Telegram. As a sixth generation Hopkins County resident, she loves celebrating our heritage and history.