Curly Parsley
Peppery Nasturtiums
Flat or Italian Parsley
Luscious Blemish Free TomatoesMore Basil than Imaginable
This is the first time that I can remember having so much planted so closely together and not having any disease or bug infestations. No ear-wigs, no slugs, no aphids. The summer of 2010 was a wet one, so I didn't do much additional watering, but I also didn't have any mildew problems. The plants that grew were all strong specimens, even the bean plants that started out so sad looking.
The bales occasionally sprouted mushrooms which didn't have any effect on the edible plants, and quite often hay-seed within the bale would sprout. This could easily be trimmed off with scissors, but I let the dog nibble it as it was so fresh and sweet.
I believe that by planting a small variety of a few vegetables, there was nothing that became a magnet for great hoards of infestatious visitors. The garden was planted in full sun, and mother nature looked after most of the watering. Occasionally, if the bales felt dry, I would water them, but usually they were only dry on the outside. If I poked my fingers in, it was warm and moist within the bale.
