There’s an old saying that carrots love tomatoes, for the Robertson family, they love their whole garden.
This spring the whole clan was following in a family tradition planting the garden at Don Robertson’s home in Newcastle. The patriarch of the family, 86-year-old Walter passed his green thumb onto his son Don and this spring four generations planted the family plot.
Walter is a Navy veteran from World War 2 and had a long career in corrections. He was also an avid gardener. He subscribes to companion gardening, and passed that along to his son.
Don explains how different plants thrive when planted together and conversely how others do not co-exist well. They have a list of vegetables that are categorized as companions, allies and enemies.
For example they make sure that tomatoes and potatoes are separate as they can be attacked by the same blight. Radishes, beans and carrots are fine together, but make sure your garlic is separated from your peas, as it will stunt the peas’ growth.
Walter has been practicing companion gardening for 30 years and swears that it works.
