Companions

The first day of spring is here!

The garden has been slowly waking up. It feels good to spend time outside and notice all the details. At the end of February I planted peas next to the garlic and the tiny plants are starting to come up. The bulbs, including the garlic, that we planted in the fall are here too. Today are the daffodils and crocuses and soon the tall purple alliums will gift us a beautiful show.

Years ago when I began growing food on our rooftop garden in Brooklyn, I learned about the benefits of companion planting. Companion planting is the technique of planting different plants near each other to help with growth and pest control. One of my first companion combo experiments, that it’s still a favorite, is the trio of tomatoes, basil, and marigolds.

A garden is a great teacher. I continue to learn from it by applying the companion planting technique to my studio practice and community.

I recently learned how to weave a basket with a fantastic group of creative women. I would like to incorporate baskets in the studio

Peas and garlic growing in the garden

Daffodils and crocuses

The zinnia textile has been a whole experience weaving each color creating a grid of greens and bright colors. I added six colors already and hope to be done soon

Art, Active, Bees, Birds, Body, Colors, Ecosystem, Edible Garden, Food, Gardening, Garlic, Handmade, Health, Herbs, Home, Home Garden Studio, Homemade, Lifestyle, Living Sculpture, Morning Light, Movement, Natural Materials, Nature, Nourishment, Observation, Plants, Pollinators, Rigid Heddle Loom, Rooftop Garden, Running, Sculpture, Seasons, Seed Library, Seeds, Senses, Spring, Studio Visit, Sunlight, Sustainable art practice, Telar, Textile, Trees, Warp & Weft, Weaving, Yarn, Weaving baskets, Shoulder stand, Zinnias, A garden is a teacher, Reed, Community, Bulbs, Companion planting, ProjectsRossana Martinez