Queen Bee Greenery

05/24/2026

Summer squash does better when it isn’t planted all by itself 🌼 A few companion tips:
🌿 Give squash plenty of room for airflow
🌸 Add flowers nearby to keep pollinators visiting
🪴 Plant nasturtiums around the edges as a trap crop
🌱 Keep herbs close, but not crowded against the main stem
💧 Water at the base to help reduce mildew problems
Squash can be a big, hungry plant, so I like giving it space first and companions second. Crowding it too much usually causes more problems than it solves.

05/24/2026

The compounds marigolds release work like nature's own security system, creating chemical boundaries that insects can detect but humans cannot. Alpha-terthienyl doesn't just repel — it actually disrupts how nematodes process sensory information, leaving them unable to locate plant roots they would normally attack. Meanwhile, limonene acts as an airborne deterrent, creating scent trails that aphids and whiteflies instinctively avoid. Plant marigolds 12-18 inches apart around garden beds, and their root systems will establish overlapping protection zones within 4-6 weeks. The invisible fortress builds itself while you tend to everything else growing safely inside. [CJTPT]

05/22/2026

04/09/2026

Small raised beds work best when every plant is doing more than one job. Good pairings can save space, improve airflow, and make harvesting easier. 🌿 Why pair crops in a raised bed:
🌱 Some grow fast while others take longer
🧄 Some help confuse pests with scent
🥬 Some shade the soil and reduce drying out
📏 Some use vertical space while others stay low
In a small bed, smart spacing matters just as much as the plants you choose. ✨

04/08/2026

Good evening! We have been busy behind the scenes preparing for a great spring and summer. My youngest grandson was even assisting. Herbs, flowers, and veggies coming soon!!!

04/04/2026

We're still sowing a lot of cool weather crops this week in zone 7, but soon we'll be adding warm weather crops to the list! Around the middle of April, we'll be sneaking in crops like pole beans and sunflowers.🌻

See our full planting list to see what's coming up:https://www.southernexposure.com/catalog/plantingdates.pdf