I got my start of garlic many years ago in the grocery stores where I shop. The garlics we liked I saved cloves from and planted at the proper time. It took a couple years for it to acclimate to our climate but is now very prolific if one of the seed heads falls to the ground or I don't get all of a bulb removed from the ground. This years entire crop is from volunteers from last year. I plant them around the roses and never have had problems with insects or black spot on my few roses.

There are many fewer snakes in our yarden since we got Moses Peacock about 9 years ago. He has not been a problem in the garden but we did have one who was. That one didn't stay here long.

Our banty chickens are afraid of the hornworms if they are very large. I too just break off the stem it is attached to. Then I just stomp on it.

GOD bless and keep each of you.
EvaMae

My success story of the summer is garlic with roses! While almost all my roses have fallen to mildew or back spot the one rose I planted with garlic has remained spotless!!!

I am planning on planting Alliums this fall and more garlic in the spring!

I have a lot of garlic chives ,do you think that would work also?

Your roses are looking soo gorgeous!!! I have rose envy.... I fear next spring I must have some

Hi Cinda! Garlic chives are also used I believe as well as the society garlic... they should work!!

I use to have some society garlic , but it is not hardy here, I kept it in a pot and brought it in as a houseplant for about 6 years then one year I forgot
It made a pretty house plant , I had the variegated one, it even flowered . the guys said it stunk and don't miss it

Yeah, it does have that smell!!!

Thanks Christine!

If I plant Alliums will they be effective against mildew even after their leaves have died back?

I was wondering the same thing , so many alliums bloom out in the spring then are gone , and mildew seems to be a late summer problem.

Once it dies back, the compounds are still in the soil. Although it may be a good idea to make a tea from the fresh leaves and spray on the plants to prevent mildew too.

Could I make the tea you think from the yellow leaves when they die back?

I wouldn't think so... I would pull them up when they dry out. Garlic cloves can be planted and overwintered, it can tolerate frost and snow. And this is a good time to plant your garlic clovers~you can just pick up a bulb or two at the grocer, those work fine. Just try to look for garlic that still has some of the root on them, if you know what I mean. The garlic that comes from china will have the root dug out and it's smooth.

Well, on my list for next year is garlic seed! I'll grow my own and fill the garden with it
There's a type called 'Music' which is supposed to be very good up here in Canada.

I'm so glad to have found this forum! I'd like any suggestions you have for what I can plant that would help repel aphids. I used marigolds this year, thinking they'd do the trick, in among bush beans and zucchini, but really didn't see any effect. Looked pretty though!!

Hi Crista,

Those aphids can really be difficult!! and there are many kinds of aphids, including a bean aphid!

Beneficial insects is one option to control aphids - here's an article I just wrote about some beneficial bugs, including some that love to dine on aphids: http://garden.org/articles/vie...

I agree with the idea of using beneficial insects! I had a rose bush that I thought was going to go down due to the heavy aphid infestation so I got a bag of ladybugs from the nursery. They stuck around about three or four days before flying off, however that rose was aphid free when they left. They were worth every penny I spent on them!!

I agree Crista, when those little critters do the job, it's worth the price.

Here's some photos where Janet at BugLife captured on film a ladybug and aphid:
http://cubits.org/buglife/thre...

Hi all, Could someone explain what a Guardian Plant is or recommend where to find out?

Hi Evan,

Thank you for the question! I have not heard of a "Guardian Plant" before... but I did look it up. It looks to be the same as a companion plant. Looks like they are mainly talking about certain plants that will attract beneficial insects or pull the pests to them in order to save another plant... such as using marigold to attract thrips away from crops. I've only skimmed over the info but that's what I get out of it. Very interesting, thanks again for posting!

Here's a couple of links I found:
http://www.ballpublishing.com/...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Hi Christine, when I saw Guardian Plant listed as a data proposal option in the database I'd hoped here was the right place to ask. Thanks for the links, they help a lot. Now when I see a plant noted as GP my only question will be - for what - ?

Evan, thanks for bringing that to my attention too! I didn't realize all those options were there in the database! You are just full of good info today!! Thanks!