Thursday, June 2, 2011

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



5 comments:

  1. 95 degrees is pretty darn hot...plus you have that humidity. We were supposed to be 85 yesterday, but some haze from fires saved us a few degrees. Great information Larry.

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  2. Larry, The only stress I have after reading your gardening tips and positive results is the enormous stress that popped up when I thought about wacking weeds for 30 minutes!! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

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  3. We don't have a Veggie Garden --but we do grow beautiful flowers... One of our reasons besides just FUN ---is the exercise one. Both of us NEED the exercise --and working in the yard helps! As you know, it is WORK---besides pleasure.
    Betsy

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  4. I garden for all those reasons plus a couple. Like you, I want to know that I'm not consuming a bunch of chemicals. I like organic gardening - if I can't do it that way, I'll let nature have her way.
    Also, it's very satisfying to know it doesn't take a drop of fossil fuel to get the food on my table. I know I'm just one person, but if everybody grew a garden, think of the impact. (stepping off my soapbox and pulling off the tye-dye t-shirt. :)

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  5. As hot as it was, I bet the ol' Stumps only needed two briquettes to maintain 225f, ha ha.

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