Hello SuperForest! Today I’m happy to present a post from one of our readers, SuperForester Lora, who gives us tips on how to start gardening this summer.
Hello there SuperForest,
About two summers ago, my neighbor and I decide to start a garden in the area that connects our yards. The first year we started with a few flowers and vegetables, but now our garden has grown to include all different types of flowers and vegetables, growing wonderfully in the small patch of land.
There really isn’t anything better than a homegrown tomato or a fresh cucumber and the knowledge that you grew it yourself, right there in your own back yard. I live in New England, so the growing season is between April and September. Most of the vegetables are at their peak in July and August and getting started is easy and fun.
Here I am in my garden. Flowers on the left, veggies to the right.
I always start in March planting the vegetable in trays. This way importing them into the ground is easier and you know what you planted where. (Growing here are some beans).
Some cucumbers, yellow squash, zucchini and radishes coming along. These plants crawl on the ground, making it easy to mange and pick.
If you don’t feel or have the time for keeping a garden, try veggies and flowers in pots first. It’s an easy way to mange and grow vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers. I tend to keep mine on my deck so that way I can get at them easily and there’s lots of sunlight for them to grow.
Here’s a single tomato plant in a large pot. Tomato plants do well in full sun with lots of water especially in large pots.
Mint, Parsley and Basil grow in this pot. Herbs also do well in pots and in full sunlight. You can put them together; they get along and grow wonderfully plus smell great!
Strawberries do well in pots and in full sun, but even better planted on the ground to crawl.
Here are some tips to help your garden flourish by Danny Seo.
-Gardening Tip #1: Reuse those packing peanuts. Container gardening is popular for folks with limited backyard space, but the large pots can be heavy to move when filled with soil and plants. Lighten the load by filling the bottom 1/3 of the pot with Styrofoam packing peanuts. It’s a great way to reuse the packing peanuts, while keeping the pots lightweight. Added bonus: The packing peanuts help prevent root rot and mildew growth.
-Gardening Tip #2: Another use for the Sunday paper.
To prepare an area of the yard for your first garden, don’t spend hours tearing up turf. Reach for a newspaper instead. Place thick layers of newspaper over the section of grass you want eradicated. Place heavy rocks on top and walk away. In a few days, the grass will die off due to lack of sunshine and will make prepping the ground much easier for tilling and gardening. Bonus tip: Pour boiling water onto weeds and grass to speed up the process.
-Gardening Tip #3: Plant a smelly sneaker.
Deer and other wild animals may find your vegetable and flower garden to be irresistible. Instead of erecting cumbersome fencing or using smelly sprays, try leaving a very used gym sneaker in the garden instead. The strong scent of humans is a natural way to scare off wild animals.
Everything is coming along great so far. I truly love growing my own food and flowers and sharing them with neighbors and friends. Growing your own food and knowing where it comes from is one of the most substanable things you can do and is a great way to save money. Just one seed can reap the benefits of tons of vegetables or fruits. So why not get started?
Yours truly,
Lora
Recent Comments