starting a garden

[BiggerPiggyBank]

I started gardening when I got married many years ago, so am just trying to
reach back to when I started. I recall being confused about what I was
doing….had a beautiful plant thriving in my proudly made new garden, only
to have a neighbor point out to me that it was a weed….but let me tell you
it was one beautiful weed! But I soon learned it really wasn’t that
confusing, or difficult.

The garden should be placed where it is sunny…and can drain well…not in
a low spot. The point of a garden is to keep things simple. Spending a lot
of cash on testing kits isn’t necessary.

Talk to neighbors, friends, etc.
in your area…the elderly are great sources of information if they garden.
Try some easy plants to start with. Carrots, green beans, turnips, &
lettuce are easy to grow. (You could do potatoes but make sure you have
seed potatoes, not those that you buy in the grocery store for cooking as
they are sprayed to stunt growth).

Mark your rows when you plant the seeds
with something that won’t wash away, or blow away (yes I’ve done both). The
dirt should be loose so if it is to compacted, add some peat moss. Rotted
manure makes a great natural fertilizer.

The need to fertilize will depend
on what you grow (peas add back to the soil) and over fertilization can burn
tender roots. (These are easy to grow but take a lot of room & need
shelling when ready….I plant mine by a fence so that they are easier to
pick). Tomatoes can be bought from the greenhouse & make great plants for
container gardening.

(These “already started” plants are called bedding
plants that just need to be transplanted to their new home.)

Depending upon the weather conditions and growing season where you live will
determine what you can grow. I’ve seen gardens grow in practically cement
if they’ve gotten the proper moisture! It really isn’t difficult but takes
some trial & error.

Gardening is not really time consuming…a good
thorough weeding once or twice a season plus the odd picking now and then is
enough, at least where I live (short growing season!). When I started, I
drew a map of my garden so I had an idea of what came up where..noted how
things did & what I did. Considering I didn’t have a clue, I found that it
quite easy & rewarding.

I’ve never used compost, and have been told that feeding a composter is an
art in itself…compost is the breakdown of organic material..I’ll leave
that subject to more knowledgeable people!

If you can get a book by Lois Hole, she has some great ones.

Keep it simple & you’ll be surprised by how quickly you learn. It is
actually even relaxing to go out & spend some time communing with Mother
Earth. And as someone else suggested, it’s a great learning experience for
children.

The can grown their own beans in a cup of dirt & watch it
grow….I’ve done this with 3 year olds. They are great at taking care of
things. Good luck on your endeavour..hope I’ve been of some help.

You can
do this!!

Cindy

[Author]

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