Kristen McMullen’s Gardening Tips
Article #1:
Beginner Vegetable Gardening
Are you considering starting a vegetable garden? Do you have any idea where to begin? When you decide to start your first vegetable garden, you will want to plan. Decide where your will start your garden, plan out the space carefully and then you are ready to begin.
Raised Bed Gardening
Raised beds are probably the best way to work with vegetable gardening. They are adaptable to small areas and will harvest fantastic produce. To create a raised bed, outline your space. Use a measuring tape and stakes to layout the area. Once you have your area delineated, you will want to place untreated boards which measure approximately 8 inches deep to outline the area. Have boards cut at your local home improvement store and then secure them into place with screws. Fill the bed with a good amount of vegetable mix, which you will find at the local gardening store. This mix of soil has the proper mix of humus, loam and sand to provide vegetables with the correct amount of nutrients and drainage.
Section Vegetable Plants
Do not plant your beds haphazardly. Section your bed off and plant each variety of vegetable in sections which are labeled clearly Vegetables with tall stalks should be planted toward the back of your bed, while vegetables with vines should be in the center with cages to climb and tubers will be better placed towards the front. Planning will make for easier gardening care when it is time for you to water, weed and, finally, harvest.
Compost
If you have the space available, consider composting. Creating a compost pile is somewhat easy to do. You will want to keep your compost pile at a distance from your home to avoid any unpleasant odors, which sometimes occur with compost. However, compost will provide you with nutrient rich soil which will help you to produce incredible produce. Build a wooden frame which measures approximately 3 feet by 3 feet. Fill the walls of the cage with chicken wire to prevent compost from falling out of the bin. Fill the bin with old newspapers, grass clippings, weeds and organic matter like apple cores, banana peels and orange peels. Never put meat in your compost pile. You also might consider buying a container of red worms at your local pet store and adding it to your compost pile. The worms will help the compost decompose faster for use in your gardening efforts.
Gardening can be one of the most relaxing and rewarding efforts a person experiences. With some simple steps in preparation, you will soon be vegetable gardening. Take time to follow these few simple steps and soon you will be harvesting your own fantastic vegetables. There is nothing that tastes better than homegrown vegetables fresh from the garden. Happy gardening!
Article #2:
Container Gardening
Do you want to garden but have limited space? If you have that green thumb or the itch to garden but, you live in an apartment or a place with no yard, container gardening may be the best solution for your dilemma. Container gardening is easy to do and will provide you with the opportunity to garden in a small area. Almost anyone will have success with container gardening as long as they follow a few simple steps. If you use container gardening, you will be thrilled to know that you can grow flowers, herbs, fruits, and vegetables in your containers. The possibilities are endless. So, let’s start gardening, today.
Choose Containers
Containers can be made from plastic, wicker, ceramic and metal. Basically, anything you have around your house can be used for container gardening. You just need to make sure that the container has enough drainage for your plants. Choose decorative containers, which will add to the overall appeal of your gardening space and add additional color and personality to your area. Get creative with your containers, children’s toys like old dump trucks or beach pails make great containers.
Drainage is Important
Whatever type of container you choose. Make sure the container has adequate drainage. If the container you choose does not have drainage, poke holes in the bottom of the container. If you are using a wicker basket, line the container with plastic and then poke holes in the bottom for drainage.
Choosing your Soil
Use a good potting soil mix which has a good balance of humus, loam and sand. Some potting soils are also made unique to the needs of particular plants. Look for soil mixes for flower gardening when you are planning to plant flowering plants and, look for vegetable mixes when you plan to plant herbs and vegetables.
Size Matters
When you plant in your containers, consider the size of the plant you are going to plant. If you are going to plant something that will have large root balls and will grow to a large height, you want to make sure you choose a larger container. If you are planting herbs, you can comfortably choose smaller containers. Do your homework before you plant. Of course, you can always transplant your plants into larger containers but, knowledge will help you to make the best decision when planning your container garden.
Know Your Plants
Before you start container gardening, make sure you know the plants of which you are going to care. If you have an area which is exposed to high levels of sun, you will want to make sure you are not planting vegetation which prefer shady areas. Also, make sure you understand their watering needs. Choose plants that are hardy and not sensitive to over watering or limited watering. If you live in an area with a tropical or high heat climate, choose plants which are drought hardy to assure that your plants will be more successful in containers.
Gardening can bring a sense of calm to those who choose this hobby. No matter whether you have a large space or limited space, take some time to plant and garden. Enjoy the experience and enjoy your day.