Wed 10 Feb 2010

Growing a Vegetable Garden

Posted by Georgia under Growing a Vegetable Garden
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Are you wondering about growing a vegetable garden? I know it can seem overwhelming as a beginner, but it doesn’t have to be. Trust me! I’ve been there.

So I would like to provide you with the links to the best sites available to make this venture easier. They have been hand-picked as top sites that have everything you’ll need for growing a vegetable garden utopia!

Browse this site and click the links and pictures to find the most valuable seeds, plants and equipment for your gardening pleasure!

Simply understand a few basics can be very beneficial to getting your garden underway. Besides, getting to grow your own food is very satisfying and knowing exactly what goes into it can be a great comfort.

And who wouldn’t want to benefit from being outside in the fresh air while getting a bit of exercise at the same time! Even if you live in an urban area, a few pots can be utilized to achieve the same results on a smaller scale.

In fact, it is much easier to grow a vegetable garden than a thriving flower bed. Flowers tend to be less resilient and don’t like the changes in weather making vegetables great place to start for the beginning gardener.

Just last year, after I had already planted come vegetables, we had a freak snow storm (which is unusual this far south in NC). But, SURPRISE! They kept on growing and turned into an awesome crop!

This was probably due to being covered with snow which actually kept them warm against the cold.

When first learning how to grow a vegetable garden you may be thinking how much room you will need. Vegetable gardens can take up a lot of room, but they certainly don’t have to. Remember I mentioned about growing a vegetable garden in urban areas?

If you live in the city you can plant your vegetable garden in containers right on your balcony or porch. And
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With a little planning you can be assured of not getting in over your head, so think of what type of vegetables you want. Then you will need to plan for type of garden you want.

And don’t forget your garden flags! Click on the picture to the right and order your flags NOW!

Consider the amount of space you do have. For larger areas, a more traditional method of row planting could be used. You will plant all your seeds/seedlings in evenly spaced rows.

And you might want to take into consideration that a lot of weeding will be necessary to keep your garden looking good and producing well. My husband and I use this method most often since we have lots of yard space.

However, it is a lot of work tilling and weeding. Then there is the fencing to keep out the critters that must be built or maintained.

We have also used the raised bed method of vegetable gardening. A garden bed is created of not more than 4-5 feet in across in any direction. You have to be able to reach the middle, of course, so anything bigger defeats the purpose.

These raised beds are about 12-24 inches high depending on how much soil you have. With these smaller sized beds it is much easier to maintain, the weeding is much less, and it’s easier to get to the vegetables for harvesting without damaging the soil or plants.

And what about growing a vegetable garden If you live in the city or don’t have much yard to speak of? No worries! You can still have your dream of growing a vegetable garden.

You can find growers that offer dwarf versions of many vegetables. This will allow you to still enjoy an excellent harvest in minimal space.

Pot growing is the easiest care when it comes to gardening. A pot placed on a windowsill or on a patio can hold a variety of plantings.

Just keep in mind that as a beginner it’s good to start small no matter how much room you have. Whether it be a patio, a large piece of property or a windowsill to grow on, it’s best to start small so you don’t get overwhelmed.

As much as you want to jump in whole hog and plant everything you see in the produce department of your local grocery, start with just a few of your favorites. Another great place to get your seeds and supplies is below:

CLICK HERE or on the picture below!

Check the great prices at DirectGardening.com

 

Tue 16 Feb 2010

Seeds for Garden

Posted by Georgia under Growing a Vegetable Garden
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If you’re thinking February is way too early to start thinking about a garden, it’s not if you want to start you own seeds for garden planting in the spring and early summer. Besides, what better way to combat the dreary days of winter than planning for your new garden.

You seeds for garden planting need to be ordered very soon. There are definitely a barrage of companies to choose from, not to mention the numerous varieties of seeds available from each company.

Perhaps just finding a company that is reputable is a daunting task for you. It is certainly not always easy to narrow down your choices of seeds for garden planting.

The links and companies on this site are my choices when it comes to purchasing my seeds for garden planting. Additionally,  the following tips may help guide you with your purchase.

Start with a Reputable Company

The companies listed on this site, in my opinion, have a reputation for good products. Using high quality seeds for garden planting is the most important aspect of having bountiful garden harvest.

Keep in mind that improved varieties of seed and hybrids that are offered may cost more, but the benefits of sturdier plants that are resistant to weather and disease, as well as the increased in production, will be well worth the cost.

A good rule of thumb, green thumb that is, is you get what you pay for. If you’re buying your seed packets from a discount store, you’ll learn soon enough why they were so cheap.

Only Plant What You Like to Eat and Don’t Over-Buy

Sometimes it’s easy to get romanced by all the different varieties of vegetables, but only purchase seeds for garden planting that are your favorite vegetables. Otherwise you will end up with vegetables you don’t like and have to try and give away or they will rot.

Another important thing to remember is to not plant too much of any one vegetable or the same issue will come up–what am I gonna do with all these vegetables. The same goes for not getting enough seeds for garden planting so you will have enough for you taste.

Included below is a list of some vegetables you might be considering with some statistics for amounts that would typically be needed. A bit of planning ahead will help determine how much seed you will need.

Also, you may want to double your calculated amount if you are thinking about canning or freezing some of you harvest.

Amt. to Plant per Person versus  Apprx. Amt. per Seed Packet

Beans                        15’ row                                               20-25’row
Carrots                      10’ row                                                     15’row
Cucumbers                 2 hills                                               10-15 hills
Sweet Corn               15’ row                                                35-40’row
Tomatoes                   3 plants                                             35-40 plants

Seeds for Garden–Selecting Types

The companies listed on this site offer as many as a dozen or more varieties of any particular vegetable, but knowing which one will perform best for you and your garden is key. Each variety is specific for your areas length of growing season, soil conditions, and average temperatures.

Paying attention to your location and it’s attributes will help your decision making of seeds for garden planting. For example, if your climate has a longer frost season, steer clear from seed varieties that require a long growing season.

Reading the description listed for each seed variety will alert you to the best growing area for quality growth and production.

Pay Attention to Pest Control

Maybe you haven’t thought to what is needed in order for your seeds for garden planting to remain pest and disease resistance. However, important technique is to begin with the use of pest-resistant seeds for garden crops.

It is probable you will find many varieties that can withstand many of the known diseases that can plague your garden and even most of the pests that inevitably are in your region.

For those of you who have concerns of modified seeds, pest resistance in these vegetable seeds comes from traditional techniques and not from genetic engineering. Many organic farms actually practice this type of seed and plant management.

Click on the links and pictures on this page now to gain access to some of the best available seeds for garden planting!

Check the great prices at DirectGardening.com

 

Fri 12 Feb 2010

Raised Bed Garden

Posted by Georgia under Raised Bed Garden
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Are you in search of how to make raised bed garden? Or perhaps you just want a bit more information on what it involves?

Perhaps you want to have a garden, but either you hate digging or you just don’t have the space for a traditional garden?

On this site I will link you to the best sites to purchase that provide an abundance of supplies for your new raised bed garden.

A raised bed garden is for everyone. Even if you are an amateur gardener, you will be surprised at how easy to make and easy to care for they can be.

Basically, a raised bed garden is just a larger version of a container gardening—planting in pots instead of tilling in the ground. Nothing you can’t handle so don’t be afraid to jump right in!

When considering a raised bed garden you might be wondering how big they really are. Well, they can range from the simplest potted plant to full-scale vegetable plots.

No matter the size you’re looking for, wherever you want to place one, there’s a raised bed garden that’s just right for you!

The use of a raised bed garden has been implemented for a long time. They were originally utilized as a way of improving slow or no production in poor soil conditions.

Basically, your raised bed garden is built UP instead of digging and tilling DOWN. Soils and compost are brought in to fill a perimeter wall of determined size that surrounds your garden plot.

And this is an excellent way to provide your newly planted seeds and seedlings proper drainage so they don’t get waterlogged, as well a bringing the much needed nutrients closer to their roots so they can grow faster and stronger.

Your raised bed garden will bring you joy and pride as long as you keep it simple and well planned, so you be sure you do some homework first.

So How Big is Big Enough?

Of course that really depends on what you’re going to grow in your new raised garden bed. If it is going to be for vegetables, almost any size will do from a very small 3feet square on up.

However, if it’s for landscaping you’ll probably want something much larger. Just remember to keep 2 opposite sides no wider apart than 4-5 feet so you can easily reach the center.  Any wider and you’ll find yourself having to climb into the raised garden bed to reach the plants in the middle.

Where the Heck Do I Put a Raised Garden Bed?

First of all you have to decide on the size of a raised garden bed you want, just keep in mind what you are going to grow and take into consideration the amount of sunlight and wind received in the specific location.

If you are wanting to plant mainly vegetables and herbs, then it try to keep it close to the kitchen door so you can access it easily for daily use. And vegetables and herbs need at least 5 hours of sun per day.

It would go along way if this raised bed garden location were sheltered a bit from the wind, as well. An existing fence, a wall of your house, or hedges would suffice.

Additionally, the spot where your new raised be garden will go should be more or less level, although it can also be used very successfully on awkward slopes. You would simply need to adjust your frame a bit deeper in the ground on the downward slope side.

CLICK HERE to find supplies, seeds and other items for your new raised garden bed.

Check the great prices at DirectGardening.com

 

Thu 11 Feb 2010

Organic Vegetable Seeds

Posted by Georgia under Organic Vegetable Seeds
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So now that you’ve gained a bit of knowledge on gardening, you may want to consider using organic vegetable seeds for your garden. Keeping with the current trend of going green, many gardeners wonder what exactly organic gardening means though.

In a nut shell, organic gardeners don’t use synthetic fertilizers or pesticides on their plants. They also begin their plants with organic vegetable seeds. Just keep in mind, gardening organically is much more concerned with what you do than what you don’t do.

You have to start thinking holistically in order to garden organically. This means you have to think of your plants as part of a whole system within Nature that starts in the soil with organic vegetable seeds.

And includes the water supply to the plants, the people who tend to and will benefit from the crop, the wildlife that may come in contact with your garden and even insects. Being an organic gardener means striving to work harmoniously with all of Nature’s systems.

Basically, this means to minimize the use of, and continually replenish, any resources your garden utilizes. So to start organic gardening with organic vegetable seeds you must bring your attention to the soil.
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This means having to regularly add organic matter to the soil and making sure it is from local resources when possible. And don’t forget, we all have access to the organic materials such as lawn clippings, garden excess waste and kitchen scraps.

This is where you need to start thinking of composting. An excellent way to prepare for your organic vegetable seeds planting is to begin a compost pile in your yard. Grass clippings, fallen leaves and pine cones (or other tree droppings), and vegetable or fruit scraps from your kitchen will be the basis for composting.

All of this compost stuff will be the best thing you can feed your garden soil and prepare for your organic vegetable seeds. By adding your own compost to the garden, you will be well on your way to raising a beautiful, healthy organic garden.

On big factor in gardening organically is to purchase organic vegetable seeds that will produce plants that are suited to the garden plot you have designated.

But more importantly, the plants you intend to grow must be native to your climate and conditions so that they are better able to grow as Nature intended. Otherwise, you will be spending a lot of time and expense trying to make them conform to your wants.

This most definitely defeats the purpose and intent of organic vegetable seed gardening. And besides when you are trying to grow a plant that is not intended for your plot or climate, you will probably have to utilize non-organic methods in order to boost its natural defenses that would normally keep it healthy and productive.

CLICK HERE or on the picture below to find all your organic gardening needs!

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