Suburban Vegetable Gardener

You have this urge to start with this new hobby but you don’t know where and how to start. You don’t want to put it off for another day because you tend to forget all about it then.

What you need to start with the following items:

1. Larger Plastic or Clay Containers
2. Amended Soil
3. Fertilizer or Compost
4. Seeds (a pack of seeds cost approximately $2 in the market)
5. Watering Can

A space should be allotted for the containers. Patios and backyards are great areas to do gardening. There are vegetables which require large spaces for them to grow. Make sure that the space that you choose is large enough for your plants to fit in.

If you only have smaller spaces, you can plant smaller varieties of tomatoes, onions, carrots, lettuce and some herbs.

First, fill the container with soil and add water to moisten it. Mix the soil thoroughly to distribute moisture. Plant seeds according to package instructions. If you are transplanting, dig holes big enough to accommodate the roots. Return the soil and press the sides gently. After planting, water the plant immediately. Do not leave them under the sun first for the next two days. this is to make sure that the plant doesn’t wilt.

To ensure growth, plants need at least 6 hours of sunshine everyday. However, there are vegetables which require less hours like in the case of tomatoes. Sunlight helps the plants to produce their own food. They can grow in shady areas but they will not produce the same amount of fruits later on.

Water the plants regularly. To see if there is enough water and moisture in the soil, place your finger down 2-3 inches deep on the soil. If that particular is dry, it means that you need to water your plants until the water trickles down to the bottom of the pot or container.

There are also plants which need stakes for support. Examples of these plants are tomatoes, cucumbers, and beans. Check the plants regularly if there are any pests eating their way through the plant. Remove any damage. Organic fertilizers are the most recommended add-on to your plants to ensure that they grow healthy.

When harvest season comes, your very own produce is the best reward that you can get from your garden.

Now that the summer is over, it doesn’t mean that gardening season is also over. First, make a simple soil test to determine if the soil’s acidity is still normal and good for your plants. If the soil’s pH is below 6.0, add lime. The proportions are 1 pound of lime to 100 square feet of soil.

Dead plants should be removed but they can be added as part of the compost.  However, if the plants experienced disease or pest problems, it is better to discard them to prevent any contamination with the new plants.

Spread compost on the seed bed after removing the weeds. For portions which you will not use, plant them with clover or rye to add nitrogen. If not, you can cover the areas with black plastic.

You can also condition your soil for planting when the next year comes. It will allow you to use lesser fertilizers if done properly. Dead leaves added into the soil help produce sweeter tomatoes. The more there are, the better. Old hay straw can also be used. However, watch out for the seeds.

Compost made from kitchen and garden wastes is also an excellent option. Worm castings are also great. Egg shells add calcium needed by vegetables. Of course, you can also add in animal manure if there is any available nearby.

These techniques can take you some time to prepare and do. However, they make your farming better at a lesser cost when next season begins.

I had been putting it off. You know, cleaning up the garden. Moving the dead plants into the compost pile. I should have done it weeks ago. I bought some Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli. Weeks ago.
The poor plants were sitting there waitin gto be planted. I felt guilty and yet, I just didn’t feel like puttering in the garden.

The end of the season is hard to accept. I’m really bad about pulling off the last of the tomatoes & letting them ripen on a windowsill or canning the last of it. I just don’t want to admit that it’s over.
But I forced myself out there over two weekends, and felt the renewal that comes with working on plants in soil.
And it felt great.

I need to find ways to keep myself motivated year round. Hopefully this weekend, I’ll go out and plant lettuce and spinach.

What do you do when you’re in a slump?