Gardening Thursday - General Thoughts

I regularly conduct veggie garden training and here is information from a few of the slides I thought might benefit you.

WHY GROW A VEGETABLE GARDEN? 

·    TASTIER PRODUCE – fresher, pick it ripe, tastier varieties.  Stores sell produce that bears well, ships well, stores well and looks pretty.  Generally picked green.  Taste is way down on their list.

·    VARIETAL CHOICE – Usually only a few options at the store, all available in the garden.

·    KNOW WHAT YOU’RE EATING – Chemicals, freshness, varietal

·    CONVENIENCE – Pull one green onion vs. going to the store and having to buy a bunch

·    ENJOYMENT & GRATIFICATION – Pleasure from helping nature produce a productive, attractive display

My gardening theory – plants know what to do, my job is to help them succeed.

·    EXERCISE – All gardening activities provide some level of exercise

·    THERAPY – Nothing like 30 minutes of wacking weeds with a hoe to reduce your stress level, in addition to the gratification.

WHAT’S REQUIREDFOR SUCCESS? 

·        GOOD SITE

·        CAREFUL PLANNING

·        GOOD MANAGEMENT

·        A FEW TOOLS

·        HARD WORK

Following are my steps for making a successful garden.  In doing research, they are compatible with others I’ve found. 

1.        ASK YOURSELF “WHAT DO I WANT FROM MY GARDEN” - Fall

2.        DECIDE GENERALLY WHAT YOU WANT TO GROW - Fall

3.        SELECT A SITE - Fall

4.        PREPARE THE SOIL - Fall

5.        SELECT THE SPECIFIC VEGETABLES - Fall/Winter

6.        PLAN THE GARDEN - Fall/Winter

7.        PURCHASE SEEDS & GROW TRANSPLANTS - Winter

8.        PREPARE THE SOIL – Spring

9.        PURCHASE SEEDS AND PLANTS - Spring

10.       PLANT THE SPRING/SUMMER GARDEN - Spring

11.       MAINTAIN THE GARDEN - Spring - Fall

12.       HARVEST YOUR BOUNTY - Spring - Fall

13.       PLANT THE FALL GARDEN - Summer

14.       PUT YOUR GARDEN TO BED FOR THE WINTER - Fall

I'll add more detail to several of these next week and bear in mind that most of this applies to all forms of gardening - not just veggies.

I BBQ'd yesterday in the 95* heat and during a break, as I often do, checked out the Kirkwood, CA webcam to find it snowing - wish to heck I was there.

All photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.

One year ago:  Alex The Cave Dweller

Larry