Do you garden?
Garden Seedlings
Though snow is still on the ground in many parts of the country, it’s almost time to start planning your garden! Gardening is not only a wonderful hobby, but it can cut down on your grocery budget and provide more nutritionally rich food. You can start from seeds or you can purchase plants – online or at a local hardware/gardening store. We do a combination and grow both vegetables and herbs.
We have a few gardening tips for you:
1) Know what plants grow well in your zone. This will help you to map out your plan.
2) Figure out what you would like to plant and find out when you need to plant them. For example, peas need planted before beans and seeds need started before plants.
3) Understand your soil make up and plan accordingly. We use a lasagna style gardening in raised beds
4) Plant things that like to eat – if you don’t like okra or another vegetable, don’t plant it even if it grows well in your area. 🙂
5) Consider potting your herbs. You can often take them in when it’s cold and use them for much longer in the year. Herbs truly elevate your cooking!
6) Commit to spending at least 15-20 minutes weeding and harvesting in the evenings. You will be much more successful at keeping up with your garden.
7) Use or give away what you yield. Many vegetables can be preserved, but some are best consumed fresh. Share the bounty with your neighbors – it makes you a great neighbor!
8) Always be learning – talk to local gardeners, read books, and know that some of your learning will be by trial and error.
Vegetable Gardening
Gardening can be so fun and the produce keeps you motivated. There is nothing like a fresh tomato that you’ve grown yourself. So, get ready and start planning for your garden! You don’t have to have much space – there are so many ideas for different types of gardens.
Check out our sustainable agriculture board on pinterest!
