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Mandala Garden Club

97 members • Free

6 contributions to Mandala Garden Club
Hardening Off Time!
And may the odds be ever in your favor.
Hardening Off Time!
1 like • 18h
@Jiri Karnos My bush cherry and cherry tree are still blooming, so I’m worried about the snow in the forecast for tomorrow!
0 likes • 18h
@Jiri Karnos cucumbers are so fiddly sometimes. It’s not too late to start some more. I lost some basil this week that dried out because it was hidden from sight under the tomatoes. It happens.
Let’s talk about planting for pest protection
You know that in this club we talk about polyculture and working with nature rather than against it… This is exactly where that comes to life. One of the biggest shifts you can make: stop thinking about pest control and start thinking about ecosystems. There are plants that actively support beneficial insects—the ones that keep pest populations in check for you. A few to start working into your garden: • cilantro (let it flower) • yarrow • sweet alyssum • calendula • fennel (let it flower) • cosmos You can mix these right into your beds, or plant them around your veggie garden as a natural hedge. They attract and feed: ladybugs, lacewings, hoverflies, parasitic wasps, ground beetles And those insects go after: aphids, caterpillars, whiteflies, even some slug pressure A quick note on yarrow: It’s one of the most beneficial plants you can grow—but it will spread. Be mindful of your space and place it where it has room to move. This is the shift: Instead of reacting to pest, design your garden so they’re handled naturally Mix flowers into your vegetable beds. Let things bloom. Create habitat. This is how we move from control to balance. A simple bonus hack: Let a couple of radishes go wild at the edges of your garden.They flower fast and act as powerful pest deterrents while also attracting beneficial insects. What are you planting this season to support beneficials? 🌼
1 like • 18h
I do a combination of a plants to deter pests and attract beneficials. I’m adding more comfrey under the fruit trees this year for the bees. I’ve got some borage going for that reason as well. And I always put sweet peas, bachelor buttons, pansies, calendula, and zinnias around the beds because they’re pretty and I use them for cut flowers. Trying a new kind of marigold in addition to my yellow gems this year—Mexican marigold. I’m also planting nasturtiums to trap aphids, and a new-to-me this year—Lemon Basil, which I read will also deter some pests. I’m also tucking more onion family things into various beds instead of keeping it all in one place. Chives under the fruit trees, garlic, shallots, and onions in the veggie beds.
Frustrated with seedlings
I’ve never had this problem growing from seed before. They shoot up and then die or something is eating them. Only my pepper and tomatoes! Arugula and kale are fine
Frustrated with seedlings
0 likes • 5d
What’s the temperature like where they are? After a lot of warm days, it’s been cold this week. I had finally turned the heater I had running by my seedlings off and I turned it back on this week! Tomatoes and peppers are less tolerant of cold than arugula and kale.
0 likes • 3d
@Vennessa M That’s so frustrating—I’m sorry. Maybe lack of air circulation? That can make damping off a real problem.
Garden Walk
What we planted today and some other thoughts. What are you up to in your garden?
1 like • 20d
I’m focusing on potting up starts indoors this week just in case we get some damaging temps or hail with the storm coming through this weekend. I was going to plant the next round of lettuces outside, but I think I’ll hold off just in case. I am going to plant some carrot and radish seeds though.
0 likes • 19d
@Paulo Munera I’m all for taking risks and using protection and season extenders! Rain would be so welcome at this point. It was frustrating to literally see it raining above us, but not hitting the ground, Tuesday. I’m just worried it might come down as what we call “bouncy rain” (ie hail) on Friday. Last spring / summer was pretty intense in the hail department, so I’ve got lots of hail protection already assembled.
What are we planting?
Hey everyone, checking in on the planting schedule and how are are preparing for the season. At this moment we can work on some of this: - Start Large Plants Indoors Under Lights: Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplants, Squash, Basil - Start Moving Large Plants Outdoors: (if you have sown any of these) Herbs, cilantro, dill, celery, celeriac, collards, kale, lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, kohlrabi, cabbage, peas - Plant Small Seeds: Lettuce, spinach, arugula, radish, carrots, beets, peas In a week or so: - Plant Small Seeds: Lettuce, spinach, arugula, radish, carrots, beets, peas, potatoes Looking ahead around May 7th (our last frost): - Move Large Plants Outdoors: Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplants, Squash, Basil - Tend & Succession Plant: Lettuce, spinach, arugula, radish, carrots, beets I'l love to see where everyone is and how are you doing with this changing weather?
1 like • 25d
I’ve got tomatoes, peppers, herbs, flowers and a few natives going in the garage under lights. Have kale/chard/lettuce/peas planted out in the garden beds, along with some walking onion, garlic, and shallots that someone gifted me last weekend. I want to get some carrots and radishes out in the next couple of days too. So much to do!
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Julie Artz
2
13points to level up
@julie-artz-4343
Native plant and locavore enthusiast in NW Fort Collins.

Active 18h ago
Joined Apr 10, 2026