Garden Map

Tomatoes climb the trellis on the north side of the bed — that way their tall vines don't shade the shorter companion herbs. South-end jalapeño gets earliest morning sun (warming the soil) and isn't shaded by anything taller.

Marigolds work best when planted with the tomatoes at planting time — established early so the deterrent scent is already in place when hawk moths (the hornworm parents) come looking. We tuck them right between the tomato plants.

Basil benefits from a bit of shade once the tomato canopy gets full — and Sam can easily reach in from the south side to pinch leaves for the kitchen. Parsley does best in cool weather; it'll fade in peak summer but rebound in fall.

Nasturtium has a trailing habit — it spills out over the edge of the bed where it can flower brightly and trap aphids. Plus the bright flowers look like a welcoming border.

Three passes of soaker hose snake through the bed — one near the trellis line, one mid-bed, one along the south edge. Mulched over (3-4" deep cedar), the hose delivers water directly to the root zone with minimal evaporation.