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Mandala Garden Club
97 members • Free
9 contributions to Mandala Garden Club
May 8 •
Lady bugs
This is not a problem! Has anyone else noticed a huge number of ladybugs. I've seen them in my yard, I'll post a photo too. I'm on the SE part of Fort Collins. When I was at our Vet, further east less south, ladies flying! Anyone else having this wonderful gift?
1 like • May 8
I saw my first one before the snow, so I’ll be keeping an eye out because we have lots of aphids to share with them 🤣
1 like • May 8
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May 5 •
New bundle added on Classroom
Hey garden club, I just added a new bundle course to consolidate all the additional advise, tips, tricks and hacks we use in the garden over the seasons. Things such as pest control, summer planting, vertical growing space and I just added a new post on Guilds. Go check it out and keep an eye on it for regular updates. This is a way to keep information more organized and accessible for everyone. Let's keep the questions and feedback going so we can continue to build this library. Let's grow!
1 like • May 6
I love how you broke down the Guilds in the link above. Sometimes permaculture feels complicated and overwhelming to me, but apple tree guilds were my entry point and they’re both easy and beautiful!
2 likes • May 7
@Lauren Duff I don’t have a plum tree in my current garden, but I’ve grown them in the past and just under planted with the same things I put under the apple trees: daffodils, thyme, chives, nasturtiums, comfrey.
May 3 •
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? 🌼
3 likes • May 4
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.
1 like • May 5
@Paulo Munera I’m working on it! I add a few things each year.
1 like • May 4
@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 • May 4
@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.
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Active 56d ago
Joined Apr 10, 2026