Over the last few days, I’ve hinted here and there about getting an idea on where exactly you will be setting your garden up. The time is getting closer, so I hope you’ve been giving it some serious consideration. There are three more common ways to grow vegetables: in a raised bed, in a pot or in the ground. I am trying my hand at all three this year to try and effectively demonstrate them in the blog. There is one thing that all these different types have in common and that is the fact that you want your garden on the southern-facing side of your house to get the most sun every day. Now if you have an adequate amount of land and have distance between your house and garden, then besides making sure you are free of trees and other obstructions that cause shade, you should be fine. But if you are like me and have to grow close to home, you must be mindful of the direction the sun travels through the sky in relation to your house. Southern-facing gardens are your best bet.
Signs of life out of multiple baby pots remind me that the time is drawing near. It’s mostly beans and peas sprouting so far, which is normal. For my raised beds that I used last year, the first thing I need to do is start looking for tiny invaders such as this little guy. He has to go, as he is a weed and threatens the root system of any plant I place near him.When pulling out the tiny invaders, make sure you get as much of the root as you can. These little pests were made to survive, sometimes leaving even the smallest root will allow a whole new invader to sprout. Spring onions….I really dislike them. When pulling them out, it’s usually difficult to get the bulb out at the same time. It’s frustrating to know that without the bulb, the onion will return. It’s okay, better luck next time – just get as much as you can. Till up the soil, especially if it is leftover from last year. Some folks believe in leaving soil alone all winter and let the composting effect take place underground. I believe in constant churning, about every two weeks, so the freezing temps can help kill off soil-born plant diseases. As you’re finalizing your garden plans, start thinking about how you will access all angles of the garden so you can harvest what you grow. Two years ago, I used some leftover rock and stone to make a walkway. If you’re using pots, you definitely have an advantage over a stationary garden in this case. Make sure your walkway and is wide enough to allow full range of motion. You can even use mulch or straw. Just make sure it is secure enough for you to walk on at weird angles. You don’t want to slip. You also don’t want weeds or grass rearing their ugly heads.I am gathering supplies for garden set up.
In the next few days (as soon as the rain stops and the sun comes out for a solid 48 hours) I’m going to start getting pots ready. The raised beds all need a little fresh soil added and trellises need to be thought up and constructed. I’ll also show you some very cheap, if not free, irrigation ideas for your plants. The easiest time to install watering devices is when you put your plants in the ground, to let the roots grow in a way that ensures solid watering. But that’s another post. So google some garden ideas that suit your patch of earth or deck and get digging!!
Let’s Grow Together 