2 years ago I was killing dozens of hornworms on my tomato plants. Last year I planted marigolds underneath and didn't have a single hornworm. My wife also planted an entire flower bed nearby with calendula for making soap and salve, and my garden was pretty much pest free other than the fall grasshoppers.

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

That is so great to hear Dustin!

Great info Ben! I've always included a few companion plants in our gardens, but last year I really made a conscious effort to include as many as possible. WOW what a difference! The gardens were full of marigolds, zinnias, calendula, nasturtium, basil, and borage, and I can honestly say after almost 17 years this was the best my garden has ever produced, even with the terrible weather last summer. Not only were the beneficial bugs plentiful, but the pest population seemed much reduced, AND it was astonishingly beautiful. I loved going out to weed and to watch the bees, butterflies, wasps, hoverflies, hummingbirds, etc early in the morning. It was so peaceful. This year I have similar plants planned, with full rows of pollinator strips throughout. If anyone reading this hasn't tried companion planting yet, I highly recommend it!!!!! Even just a few zinnias and marigolds to start with are helpful, beautiful, and grow easily from inexpensive seed packets💚

@stormvent2572

2 жыл бұрын

Aaah thanks Jamie. That sounds wonderful and will def do this year. Much appreciated.

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

What a fantastic endorsement of companion planting, many thanks Jamie.

@Josh-wz6ud

2 жыл бұрын

@@GrowVeg I love your Chanel, Great Job!! But just I miss the old music, was more catchy😀 Greetings from Chile🇨🇱 I hope you put it back🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

@mjjensen6450

2 жыл бұрын

I miss the music too. Wonderful suggestions! Like Jamie, I have always used Marigolds around my tomatoes. But will definitely try to add more basil and some of the particular flowers mentioned.

@CuongPham-hi3pf

2 жыл бұрын

Y0{

I'm in Tennessee. I grew basil around my tomatoes last season and noticed a sharp decrease in pests in comparison to years past. You can't go wrong with basil between the benefits from companion planting, the smell, and cooking uses it's a definite win.

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

Definitely!

@RedNicole22

2 жыл бұрын

What area in Tennessee? It’s my first year here in Tennessee.

@mariannebecker5132

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Neighbors. I am also new to Tennessee. Will be settling in June. 🙂

@cataniamommaitalia87

2 жыл бұрын

Throw some marigolds I that garden and you'll get quicker pollination and even less pests

@robinsadler5727

Жыл бұрын

I'm in Middle Tennessee and planted the purple Basil 3 years ago and had it everywhere last year. I gave lots away and used it to freshen the chicken coop.

I heard something years ago that has to do with companion planting. 'If it tastes good together, it grows well together' Certainly true for tomatoes and basil.

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

Interesting - and certainly true for that pair.

@SugarMakesMePOP

2 жыл бұрын

That's true, same with the garlic and potatoes 😋

@AmandaComeauCreates

2 жыл бұрын

Onions and beets!

@Listenclearly1979

2 жыл бұрын

@@AmandaComeauCreates I'll have to try that one 🙂

@Listenclearly1979

2 жыл бұрын

@@SugarMakesMePOP YES! Now I'm hungry....😂

I’ve had so much success planting marigolds with tomatoes!

@ArtByKarenEHaley

2 жыл бұрын

And they look nice together too!

I want to thank you for noting differences from your garden and those in North America. I really appreciate those notes, it’s so kind of you. ❤️

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome Marinda. Thanks for watching.

Last year I mistakenly ordered Holy Basil or Tulsi instead of basil. It grew very well and attracted a huge number of different pollinators. It was at the edge of a path to the greenhouse and got brushed every time I walked by. The aroma was wonderful. I added it to my list of “companions” for this year. Easy to grow from seed with lovely little blue flowers. Highly recommended.

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

I've not grown it, but it's on my 'to grow' list - I look forward to trying it.

Ben my wife and I have learned so much watching your videos! Thank you for taking the time to make them!

@GrowVeg

Ай бұрын

Thanks so much for watching Michael. :-)

I actually made an app that did this exact thing as a school project a couple of years ago. We didn't have a lot of combinations in our app but I found it super cool

@GrowVeg

Жыл бұрын

Nice work!

@bowler28

Жыл бұрын

@@GrowVeg thank you haha. This video would have been super useful back then. I remember not having access to a lot of great information about which combinations actually worked. There was a lot of speculation out there and there probably still is.

I grow garlic the year round. Agreed, at times there is no hope of a decently formed bulb, however, the leaves are edible, while the scent is still strong enough to do the job of repelling.

I’ve been doing this for the last few years, and saw that it does work and help. Nasturtiums were amazing! They saved a lot of my veggies bc they migrated to them instead. They taste so good as well, and help with pain. I ate the leaves when I had a toothache and it relived my pain until I was able to get to the dentist.

For years now, I put carrots and onions together. Succesfully. Thank you for your videos!

I’m trying to do more companion planting this year. I do know for a fact Basil does indeed keep bad bugs away from pepper plants. I had planted my Basil at the end of my pepper plants and never had any problems at all with any of the plants. In fact they were the prettiest plants in my garden. The yum yum mini peppers and jalapeños peppers produce the most and the green bell produce a lot too, however the peppers were on the small side. I now know to plant Basil next to my tomato plants and plan to grow different varieties of Basil too. Still learning as I grow! Thank you for sharing your knowledge as to what works!

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

We’re always still learning Christine, that’s one of the joys of gardening. 😀

Moved to a new state last year and put in a rushed garden. It did well, even though for the past 75 years it was dry grass hay fields. I did a couple companion plantings around the tomatoes and peppers. This year I'm going hog-wild. I am even doing my corn, half traditional rows and half 3 sisters. I am also looking at companion plants that can be dried and used as tea. Every plant and every animal on my place has to do their own share of work.

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

Great to get multi uses from your plants - that's the best way.

Big fan of companion planting, planting flowers and herbs alongside my vegetables. Interestingly nettles have so much benefit in the garden, they deter blackfly and attract lady birds. I grow clumps of yarrow which is a great compost activator and attracts lots of hoverflies. I like to plant flowers which attract insects and birds into the garden, Teasil is said to attract Goldfinches and Sweet Rocket attracts the Orange Tip butterfly. Flowers herbs and vegetables look beautiful interplanted and it's so nice when working you smell all the lovely smells of Chamomile. mint and thymes

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

It's great that so many of these companions just look and smell beautiful too. And agreed about the nettles - it's well worth leaving a few clumps of them dotted about.

Years ago I purchased two books by the same author. Roses Love Garlic and Carrots Love Tomatoes. They have great information in companion planting. Love your videos!

Love this software. Gives me some excellent day dreaming during the winter months and allows me to maximize what I can grow throughout the year.

@sbabromines800

2 жыл бұрын

Did you catch what is was called?

@kjfny

Жыл бұрын

Looking for the name also?

Every time I've had nasturtium in my garden I find that they actually attract more cabbage butterfly larvae to both them and everything around them than when I haven't - they reeeally love them! So my advice is to use them sparingly unless you do plant a lot of cabbage and broccoli type plants.

@blackmber

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, that recommendation doesn’t make sense to me. If you feed them, won’t there be more? But maybe planting them far from the cabbage would draw the moths away. Maybe. But next year, there would be more because you fed them your favourite food. I’m not sold on it.

As a graduate of Iowa State University, I really appreciate all your videos and the Garden Planner Almanac website.

@GrowVeg

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Sara. That’s lovely to hear. 😀

Another great video. I’ve always grown marigolds everywhere in the veg patch, and started planted onions in the carrot bed a number of years ago. I’ve had great success eliminating the carrot fly. I tend to plant calendula and nasturtiums everywhere, so I guess that’s a good thing 🤓👍🏻🌱

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely!

I used the Garden Planner last year and their suggestions for companion planting and felt it really helped me step up my game!

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

That’s really great to hear. 😀

This is my first year gardening. Or trying. My puppy is making it hard. LOL but I was starting to grow marigold so happy to know they'll be well welcomed by the veggies.

I love marigold below my tomatoes 🍅

You're undoubtedly a better grower l, so I'm working on my land 👍

I bought a book on companion planting but much of it has so far been basics of setting up a garden . I learned a lot just listening to you. Thanks for verbal and visual advice.

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

So pleased the video was helpful Nancy. Best of luck with this year‘s garden.

Very thought provoking video, I'm suffering from spring fever watching this and we're about to get the worst winter storm of the year in midwestern Ohio! 🥶 Thanks for the tip about nasturtium and brassica's 😉

Always enjoy your videos.I appreciate how you let us know here in the states the difference in how plants do from your location to ours. I am doing more and more companion planting each year. I try different plants each year.

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

That’s great to hear Steve. Companion planting can be so powerful.

I really believe plants help each. I had a Prayer plant that did not do much for a year. Never seen to grow. I put it by my Peace Lilly and now there's no stopping it. It is almost as big as the older one.💚💚💚💚

Love these videos! I use my exercise bike in the morning, while watching Bens videos. I’ll be ready for spring gardening.

@GrowVeg

Жыл бұрын

Ready to garden and super-fit to do it Patricia!

I do plan on trying companion planting. I love the thought of plants being beneficial to other garden plants.

I had just a few nasturtium sprouts last year... They kind of struggled along for a little while but then boom! They became the most vibrant plants in the garden. They almost took over a whole raised bed, and the offspring of that are sprouting this week as volunteers. All the blooms on last year's variety were hot tomato red.

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

They certainly know how to put on a show!

I finally got nasturtium to grow last year--yeah! I must have been lucky with brassicas also as nothing chewed on them--that cabbage, broccoli and Brussels were all producing and picture perfect. The nasturtium were only in the bed with broccoli and I had let some parsley and cilantro grow from last year. Now, if I could only find a way to vanish the dreaded squash vine borer and Japenese Beetles I'd have it made.

It's my first season in the allotment and I am thinking to mix vegetables, herbs and flowers together, thank you for the information xxx

I have to say Ben, I am, as the name suggests, a bit on the wrong side of young and sprightly. I have minimal gardening, and vegetable growing, experience but I am about to move house (1st July) and there is a reasonable sized yard which is split between concrete slabs are and lawn. I am really eager to get started on growing and I am particularly keen on the raised bed method. I also hope to build a pretty basic greenhouse over the coming weeks (or months). I tripped over one of your videos and I absolutely adore your down to earth and enthusiastic style. I will be buying your book, but I feel the garden planner is a tad expensive for my pension. I will probably have to forego that privilege. Hopefully, I can get a bed or two organised for a late season of growth this year, but I am looking forward to having a plethora of raised beds and hanging containers ready for spring 2024 - Probably with a couple of arches at least as well.

@GrowVeg

11 ай бұрын

How exciting to be starting a new garden - wonderful! I hope it grows well. Remember to enjoy it and take a step back from time to time to admire your work. :-)

SO BEAUTIFUL.. TX Ben..not all marigolds are created equally..some are more useful companions than others, i read.

I had a game my family bought on our only trip to Europe (I live in Melbourne) as a kid that was called the Garden Game, and I remember it mentioned companion planting.

@GrowVeg

Жыл бұрын

Sounds like a very thoroughly thought-out game Megan!

I love the companion planting guide on the garden planner. So helpful and easy to use.

Well, I was accidentally doing good things, lol. I have planted marigolds in the garden for years. But the last two or three, I planted nasturtiums, just because. And a plant we call “4 o”clocks”. This year my garden was so lovely with all the flowers. But I will definitely put them around the potatoes ! I fight that battle every year ! And basil with tomatoes, whoda thunk it ? There’s also the “3 sisters”. Corn, squash and beans. American Indian staple. We are in a deep freeze here. It’s a welcome video before I get on my piles of garments and go feed the animals . Brrrr ! Have a Blessed Sunday!

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

And you Tonie. Here's to a splendid companion planting-fuelled growing season!

Love your videos, great wealth of info in each one. Keep them coming.

Extremely helpful information Ben, I’m definitely going to do more companion planting! Many thanks 😀🐞🐝🦋

I started using the companion planting this year in my garden planner. This is my second year with the garden planner app and I plant to take advantage of more of the features, including weighing my harvest so I can see how I do on certain plants!

@GrowVeg

Жыл бұрын

I hope the companion planting is making a difference Ashlee.

Typed in two different topics...same guy comes up. Subscribed!!

@GrowVeg

Жыл бұрын

Haha - nice one. A very warm welcome to you!

Ty much Ben! Just what we needed :)

Love it! I've already got garlic, marigolds and lavender in my small Vege garden, but I'm delighted I can now indulge myself with more flowers!!! 😉

Your cute fur baby reminds me of mine. When ever my husband and I are out in the backyard in our garden he just wants be by our side constantly. Happy gardeing

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

She's a great companion.

I will definitely be upping my companion planting game this year. And I'm loving the garden planner to keep track of what I want to put where. Thanks!

Thank you for a very informative video. Not only does the addition of flowers to the vegetable beds help with fighting disease and pests and attracting beneficial insects, it also makes it a more pleasant experience for the gardener to work among all those flowers and vegetables. Loving all the updates to the Garden Planner. I have been using it for a few years now. One of my must have tools for gardening now got even better!

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

So pleased to hear you're enjoying the Garden Planner Anita. Flowers are fab in the veggie garden for sure!

Maintaining a 3500 sq ft inground garden is ever so much easier with the Garden Planner! I've been using it for years now, and it not only helps with companion planting, but it keeps track of where I planted, making crop rotation a breeze!

@GrowVeg

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback Carol. I hope you have a stunning 2023 garden planned - I'm sure you do! :-)

I am new to gradening i have just started growing my own food this year and i am going to be adding more flowers round my garden next year as i think this is most not only to get good crops but to help the beneficial bugs and out just as much as they help us and i feel i am picking alot up from watching your channel with some other i watch as well so thank you very much for helping us with tips and hints

@GrowVeg

10 ай бұрын

Definitely worth including flowers in the vegetable garden. :-)

Excellent stuff. Am currently planning my veg patch, so will definitely bear this in mind

Love your dog!😁

Yes companion planting this year

Interesting & informative video Grow Veg. Companion planting is essential for organic gardening so I am planning to do it.

So glad I found this 🤩 thank you!

Thank you Ben, it is something I am definitely looking into this year. I'm going to pop in garlic for space fillers all over the garden too.

Will definitely do more companion planting this, thank you so very much.

Yes, I plan to do more companion planting this year...thanks for the tool to help me do it even better.🙂

I have an allotment based in the UK. I planted nasturtiums in courgette and Bean beds last year and had great success. Bees and flowers everywhere. Am expecting the nasturtiums to have self seeded so , same again this year. Basil and peppers was also a great idea.

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

The nasturtiums almost always self-seed, so hopefully they’ll come good for you this year Philip.

Thanks for the great info as usual!

Thank you so much. Love any new info for the garden. I have known of some,but learned of others.

I just subscribed to the app, and wanted to say how much I love, love, LOVE it! I've been juggling spreadsheets and Visio diagrams until I thought I would lose my mind. The app does everything I needed and more - to scale, no less. Varieties, zone-appropriate info, companions, all the symbols... too much to list, and the month over month views are icing on the cake. Thank you so much!

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

That's so lovely to hear, thank you for the feedback. :-)

@raquelmarzo12

2 жыл бұрын

What’s the app called?

I've learned so much from using the Garden Companion Planter (in my 4th year!) Love the recent enhancements of showing if plants are helping or helped by another plant or flower. My favorite flowers are borage, marigold, nasturtium and zinnias - they attract a TON of pollinators (although it's dangerous in the morning, when I am trying to harvest veggies and they are enjoying their feast) LOL

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

Hopefully the pollinators are too distracted to worry about you! :-)

@barbaralemons4741

Жыл бұрын

I set out a dish of honey water or 100% fruit juice in the sun upwind and well away from where I'm working outside... the pollinators make a beeline for it.

Hi Ben. I sure like your hands on videos. They help me so much. I need to see how things are done and you always come through. Thank you for all you do. Diana in Forrest Lakes, Colorado

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

Not at all Diana, it’s a pleasure. Thanks for watching 😀

Hi Ben I love watching your videos, nasturtiums don't like being transplanted better off sowing direct.

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Anthony. Maybe I’ll just poke the seeds in where they are to go. Save me a job transplanting too.

I will be planting basil with my tomatoes and Borage also, thank you !

Brilliant! Companion planting is my favorite way to attract the good guys who beat up the bad guys. So many of the companions are beautiful too!

Fantastic video love your enthusiasm

Thanks for the info! I've been really looking into this lately. I will have to check out that garden planner!

Thank you for sharing 😊

Great info, and for a first-time gardener such as myself absolutely crucial! I'm aiming for something akin to a Cottage Garden and already got most of the things planned, but ran into trouble because of pest control, since we got dozens of cats roaming the area and I don't want to hurt them. This is a splendid idea; not only will it keep the pests in check and make the garden more colourful and versatile, but I'm certain, the kitties will appreciate the abundance of flowers, too.^^

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

You could use prunings and/or netting to cover sown areas so they aren't disturbed by the cats.

Exceptionally helpful! New environment to create gardens in, starting from scratch, this will be my guiding light for garden success!

I am adding Calimintha to attract green lace wings this year. Sadly I have a lot of aphids in the garden and I’m hoping that this will help to even the score!!

You're very inspiring. Only tried houseplants but giving our garden a bit of TLC this year and companion planting is a new avenue as well

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

So pleased to hear that - you'll enjoy giving the garden some TLC I'm sure - the rewards will be plenty!

Yes! I have a few combos for each bed that I'll be trying this year. I went more with a "tree guild" mindset in my planning. The three sisters is one I have in a few beds, with the addition of some pest deterrents and pollinators attractors. For my smaller pots I picked a buddy or two for each pot. I think it's not only beneficial for the plants, but is also a great way to maximize space. My squash beds take up a lot of room, but if I can plant a bunch of corn throughout, that's extra veg in the same space that doesn’t compete for the same growing area. Looking forward to seeing how well they fare! Best of luck with your garden this year!

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

It sounds like you've got a really good plan of action for this growing season. Bounty and delicious produce awaits!

oh yes - love your videos i find companion planting very fun i love doing the research finding what goes with what

Great Presentation Ben. Miss your daughter....

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

She'll be delighted you said that! I'm sure she'll be making an appearance in a video soon!

The dog is soooooo adorable!

Your garden planner is the best I’ve seen .. I’m definitely going to sign up.. impressive !! Great job.,

@GrowVeg

Жыл бұрын

That's really kind of you to say, thank you. :-)

@123STEP23

Жыл бұрын

It’s true!! Also love to hear you say “ adds a splash of cheer “.. makes me smile.

Thank you for this video! I’m so excited for 2023 garden journey! Every year i learn from my mistakes, and get better with my discernment on what my garden needs😊! I’m definitely gonna look into the garden planner, because it seems like a GREAT tool for beginners and even those who are experienced!

@GrowVeg

Жыл бұрын

Great stuff! I hope you have a superb 2023 - with lots of tasty harvests! :-)

I sure will ! Wow !!!! You made this very clear and the comments too especially that one where the writer added such joy

I love kale but they are attacked by whiteflies in my garden. This year I planted marigolds all over the kale and will be planting more nasturtiums based on your video. Thank you so much!

I will definitely do more companion planting this year! Thank you for this video! ❤🙏

@GrowVeg

Жыл бұрын

That's really great to hear. :-)

I love your videos! Thanks for the info.

Thank you so much. Just as I’m getting ready to put my garden in. We’re a little late up in Canada.

Thank you for the information that was a real help so hopefully I will get a better crop of tomatoes and cucumbers this year I’ve ordered my seeds ready and waiting for sow.

I love the online Garden planner. I have been using it for several years now. The companion planting and square foot gardening features are both helpful.

@GrowVeg

3 ай бұрын

So pleased you find the Garden Planner useful. :-)

Thank you for the good information

Really helpful channel, I'm just starting my gardening journey and this channel is so helpful. It helps it seems less intimating!!

@GrowVeg

Жыл бұрын

So pleased to hear that. Welcome to the channel!

cuccs and dill, tomatoes and basil. nasturtiums and other flowers. sounds good! Thanks a bunch!

Excellent video!.. Thank you...

Thank you very much for sharing this video 👍

So glad I found your channel . Great tips !

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Beth!

I’m certainly going to do more companion planting this year thanks to your video(s) and I’ll be subscribing to the planter. One companion planting I did last year was hot peppers along with my garlic - it worked brilliantly!

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip on the garlic and peppers - that's a great idea. :-)

I plant everything in containers. I’ve had Thai basil, potatoes, lemongrass and carrots in one container. Watermelon, sunflowers, lemongrass. Cilantro and peppers. Thai basil and tomatoes and tomatillos. I’m always throwing stuff in every nook and cranny of my containers 😁

@GrowVeg

Жыл бұрын

Great to pack lots in. :-)

Love seeing your dog in the clips!

Definitely going to do companion planting already started

By happy accident, I used companion gardening without knowing it until I started watching videos like yours. 😊Thank you! I planted nasturtiums by the arugula and the arugula spread like crazy and did very well. I had quite a big crop and was able to share with friends and family last year. It was so healthy I was able to harvest it until November. I live in upstate New York in the USA and most harvesting ends in October so it was a real treat to be able to continue adding fresh arugula to my salad! I am enjoying your videos and they are so helpful. Keep them coming!

@GrowVeg

Жыл бұрын

That's really super to hear Lisa. Thanks for the comment - and we'll keep them coming I promise!

Hi Ben: Thank you for this excellent video. I've heard of companion planting many times but have never engaged it since I haven't grown vegetables. This year, I plan to grow vegetables, so this was VERY useful to me. Thank you r such informative and entertaining videos. DA - Vancouver, WA

@deplorableme4678

2 жыл бұрын

Tip from a fella beginner. This will be my 4th year. Don't over plant 1 type. Instead plant 1 or 2 of a large variety of veggies and fruits. 1 or 2 good producing tomato/cucumber/squash plant can feed a family. Leaving room to try different things you wouldn't normally grow or eat.

@GrowVeg

2 жыл бұрын

Great advice!

I love Nasturtiums ❤

I have 2 raised beds about 3.5 ft x2.5 ft and 30 inches tall. I have tomato’s on a string trellis in one along with bush type zuchini and squash and the other has squash peppers Pak choy along with of course nasturtium and onion,and calendula In both. I started a flower bed in ground this year, with plenty of cosmos, nasturtiums, phlox, zinnias, allysum, snapdragons, and many others! I also started a small in ground garden plot where I put my brassicas. I have lettuce, radishes, carrots tucked in into many spaces in all the beds. I have a smaller container with turnips, beets, peas and Swiss chard. I planted many grow pots with several types of peppers and tomatoes as well as plant towers with herbs, another with all bush beans, and another with strawberries. I have okra (wish me luck) planted along the fence that faces the road (chicken wire and wood) in with morning glories to climb the fence. In another corner I’ve just planted corn, sunflowers, and made a new obelisk with cucumbers and (new to me) lemon cucumber, with spaghetti squash a few feet away on one side, and acorn squash on the other. This is a rock bed, however I moved all the rock, amended the soil, planted everything , and then added the rock back. I’m probably over reaching my abilities but I love planting everything from seed and “playing in the dirt”. I enjoy working in the garden every day and am hoping for a bounty of flowers, birds, bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects as well as a great continual vegetable harvest all year! I am going to try to succession plant this year, as many of my crops were all started at different times. I really enjoyed this video, thank you! I have borage around the perimeter of the yard along with other flowers as well! I’m so excited for everything to grow more! Doing my best for companion planting too!

@GrowVeg

Жыл бұрын

Wow! So much growing - amazing! Definitely good for the soul to 'play in the dirt'! :-)