cole crops

OK, I've seen this in a couple of "reputable" places (Valley View's sign is one) so I'll ask:

I've always said and written this as "cold". Having a heathy ego, I've assumed that everyone else was mis-spelling the word. Is "cole" a derivative of whatever prompted sliced/shredded/grated cabbage in dressing to be called cole slaw? Does cole refer to the cabbage family? Have I been hanging out in Wordville too much?

It's always been my understanding that it comes from the genus of plants that include broccoli, cabbage etc. But I'm no expert. Does anyone have a definitive answer to the origin of the phrase "cole crop?" -- Joannah

Onions, garlic and aromatic herbs all must be carefully placed to avoid giving offense to certain plants.

However, my Jerry Baker book on Roses says that they love to be with garlic.

In vegetable gardening, beans in particular have a problem with onions and garlic. As to roses, you're right. In fact, Louise Riotte has a another book called "Roses Love Garlic" that looks at companion planting throughout the garden. -- Joannah

I planted my basil in the Tiger Lillies last year. (Forgot about it until everything else was planted. This was the last spot.) It was crowded but seemed delighted to be there. The thing was almost a tree by the time the frost hit it. No comment from the lillies, but nothing ever stops them.

Companion plantings:
-tomatoes and basil to prevent hornworns
-thyme or tomatoes with cabbage plantings to prevent flea beetles and cabbage worms
-catnip and eggplant to deter flea beetles
-onions with carrots to prevent rust flies and nematodes
-horseradish with potatoes to repel potato beetles
-corn with soybeans to enhance growth of corn
-tomatoes, parsley, or basil with asparagus to control beetles
-nasturiums deter whiteflies, aphids
french marigolds repel nematodes
-mint and catnip repel cabbage pests
-rue deters Japanese beetles
-sweet basil repels aphids, mosquitoes, and mites. Use to interplant in vegetable and flower gardens.
-Deer repellent - peppermint, sage, rosemary, alliums -onion, garlic
-cat repellent - rue, rosemary, lavender, lemon thyme, absinthe,
grinded lemon or grapefruit peel, mix tea leaves into soil, cayenne pepper

Great list! Thank you! I'm using a border of nasturtiums and French marigolds in my vegetable garden to help attract bees. It's good to know they also will be chasing away the bad-guy bugs. -- Joannah

cole = brassica (I usually use the second term)

Isn't catnip in the mint family, meaning that it will take over the entire garden forever and ever unless a constant battle is waged?

If my garden is any indication, catmint isn't as invasive as mint, but it does spread. The good news is, it attracts cats who may, someday, keep the voles out of my yard. But then, there are the birds....Susan

I just planted my first vegetable garden this past weekend (well, in planters, not really a garden) and I'm super worried about how cold it's been for the past few days. Is there anything I can do to help the plants through this cold snap, or do you think they'll be okay since it didn't frost?

Hey, planters make great gardens! Think of them as your version of raised beds. Spring crops like lettuce, spinach and carrots should be fine. They can actually take a light frost. And there's absolutely no worries with broccoli, cauliflower or cabbage. It's really too early for tender crops like tomatoes, basil or peppers. If you have put those in, you should bring them inside at night or place them in a protected area with a lightweight covering over them like newspapers or a sheet. --Joannah

For those of you who were looking for advice on keeping creatures from eating your vegetables, this is the book I would recommend: "Deer-Resistant Landscaping: Proven Advice and Strategies for Outwitting Deer and 20 Other Pesky Mammals"
by Neil Soderstrom