Start A Vegetable Garden Make Your Plan With the tilling done, now we are ready to start laying out our garden. I drew up a garden map on paper so we had a reference to use when out in the field. We set up our garden facing north with our tallest crops, which are sunflowers and corn, in the northern most area so they won't cast any shade on the shorter crops. If you notice from our paper plan, we have three different kinds of rows: 1. Our wide rows are 3 ft (.91 m) wide x 5 ft (1.5 m) long. Also you don't have to water, weed or cultivate as much, because the plants grow up and shade the soil crowding weeds out and preserving moisture. If you have never tried this because you always plant in long skinny rows, try planting with wide rows; you'll really like it. Other benefits of wide row planting: Now if you live in a cooler climate, do the reverse. 2. Raised beds also help plants get more oxygen which help plant roots and soil organisms. Now if you live in hot climate, do the reverse. 3.
How to Grow Vegetables | Guide to Growing Vegetables Some general considerations for growing vegetables: Sowing Tips When sowing seeds, a good general rule of thumb is to sow to a depth of approximately twice the thickness of the seed. Some smaller seeds require light to germinate and should not be sown too deep; otherwise they may never germinate or break through the surface of the soil. Keep seeds well-moistened while awaiting germination and check regularly. Select a light-weight, well-drained medium for sowing to ensure good seed to soil contact. Growing Tips Most vegetables will produce better results if sown and grown in a soil-medium that is well-drained, rich in organic matter (fertile), and fairly lightweight. Most vegetables will prefer good quantities of natural, direct sunlight daily. If direct sowing your vegetables (planting seeds straight into the ground), thin plants to recommended spacing and enjoy culled vegetables in salads, sandwiches or elsewhere vibrant, young greens can be appreciated. Harvesting and Seed Saving
The Skinny Gourmet: Ten Mistakes New Herb Gardeners Make (and How to Avoid Them!) So you're thinking of herb gardening, or maybe you tried it last year and it was an utter disaster? Have no fear. There are a few simple mistakes that many herb newbies make (and I know, because I made most of 'em myself). Master these simple and practical tips for herb gardening and you'll be using your own fresh herbs like Mario Batali in no time. Fresh herbs are one of the greatest ways to increase the taste of your food healthfully. Let it be known that I have the blackest of thumbs. It surprises me how often I bump into friends who are flummoxed about some aspect of herb gardening. Mistake 1: Growing from seed. Mistake 4: Not cutting early and often. Mistake 5: Taking the leaves from the wrong place. Mistake 6: Letting your plants get too randy.
Organic Gardens Network™: 66 Things You Can Grow In Containers Growing your own food is exciting, not only because you get to see things grow from nothing into ready-to-eat fruits and veggies, but you also don't have to worry about the pesticides they might contain, and you definitely cut down on the miles they -- and you -- have to travel. As it turns out, with pretty minimal effort, anyone can be a gardener. My boyfriend and I are essentially first-timers this season and so far have the beginnings of strawberries peeking out, tomatoes are on their way, the basil's about ready for a big batch of pesto, and once the last frost hits, the peppers, kale, spinach, chard, and mesclun will be on their way, too. All on a tiiiny little terrace (with the help of a little DIY carpentry). If you're up to the challenge -- and it really isn't much of one -- growing your own food can be so rewarding. And so much cheaper! Here's a starter list of all the crazy things even urban gardeners, without space for a garden, can grow at home.Tree Fruits - Including Apples
Make Your Own Fertilizer Learn how to make your own fertilizer, and keep your garden green without spending a lot of green. Here are several great homemade fertilizer recipes to try: Epsom Salt Fertilizer Photo Credit: Erin Huffstetler Use in Place of: Houseplant food Vegetable fertilizer Rose plant food What You Need: 1 Tablespoon Epsom Salt 1 gallon water A watering can What You Do: 1. Why This Works: Epsom salt is made up of magnesium and sulfate – both vital plant nutrients. Coffee Ground Fertilizer Rose plant food Used coffee grounds A cookie Sheet Newspaper 1. Note: Be careful not to over do it with the grounds. Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, magnesium, and potassium – all important plant nutrients. Egg Shell Fertilizer Lime Egg Shells A blender 1. Eggs shells are made up almost entirely of calcium carbonate – the main ingredient in agricultural lime. Vinegar Fertilizer Houseplant fertilizer Rose plant food 1 Tablespoon white vinegar 1 gallon water A watering can 1. Fish Tank Water Fertilizer Any fertilizer 1. 1.
$300 Underground Greenhouse Grows Produce Year-Round, Even in Severe Climates | Wake Up World By Carolanne Wright Contributing Writer for Wake Up World With staggering food prices and shortages looming, there’s no better time to grow your own produce. Sadly, most greenhouses are expensive to build and impractical to heat during cold, wintery conditions. Thankfully, a solution is found with the Walipini. Developed for South American mountainous regions over twenty years ago, it allows edibles to be grown year-round – even in the most inhospitable weather. Unlimited growing season Known as a pit or underground greenhouse, the Walipini utilizes the advantages of passive solar heating along with earth sheltering properties. “The Walipini, in simplest terms, is a rectangular hole in the ground 6′ to 8′ deep covered by plastic sheeting. The Institute continues with an explanation of how the earth acts like a battery, storing heat during the day while releasing it during cooler nighttime temperatures: Sources for this article include:
Identifying Plant Nutrient Deficiencies Not all plant problems are caused by insects or diseases. Sometimes an unhealthy plant is suffering from a nutrient deficiency or even too much of any one nutrient. Plant nutrient deficiencies often manifest as foliage discoloration or distortion. The following chart outlines some possible problems. Unfortunately many problems have similar symptoms and sometimes it is a combination of problems. Be sure you eliminate the obvious before you kill your plants with kindness. Check first for signs of insects or disease. Plants require a mix of nutrients to remain healthy. There are a handful of additional nutrients that are required for plant growth, but in much smaller quantities. All of these nutrients are taken in through the roots. Plant Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms Macronutrients Calcium (Ca)Symptoms: New leaves are distorted or hook shaped. Micronutrients Boron (B)Symptoms: Poor stem and root growth.
Gardening with Epsom Salt | Wake Up World By saltworks.us Epsom salt has become a popular and well-reputed supplement in organic gardening. With the recent push towards “green” living, Epsom salt is an ideal answer to a variety of organic gardening needs. Both cost effective and gentle on your greenery, Epsom salt is an affordable and green treatment for your well-tended plants—both indoors and out. Completely one-of-a-kind with a chemical structure unlike any other, Epsom salt (or Magnesium Sulfate) is one of the most economic and versatile salt-like substances in the world. Throughout time, Epsom salt has been known as a wonderful garden supplement, helping to create lush grass, full roses, and healthy, vibrant greenery. Why Epsom Salt Works in the Garden Composed almost exclusively of Magnesium Sulfate, Epsom salt is intensely rich in these two minerals that are both crucial to healthy plant life. Magnesium is beneficial to plants from the beginning of their life, right when the seed begins to develop. Tomatoes & Epsom Salt
Organic Gardens Network™: Frost Dates Here is an exciting new way for you to determine your last frost dates to ensure you are planting your garden at the right time for growing success in your location. Don’t leave it to chance! This new and innovative frost date tool is brought to you from Green Thumb Weather by a team of 3 meteorologists. Between the 3 of them, they have done weather forecasting for almost every climate on earth. They are all gardeners so you can rest assured that not only do they understand how important protecting your garden from the weather is, they have the experience to help you do the same. Green Thumb Weather is an interactive website that features frost dates in a way that you have never seen before, ultimately helping growers to make decisions about their gardens that save time and money. Based on which part of the growing season you are currently in, the website customizes the display. Watch this brief video tutorial on how to use the interactive maps.