By: David Huff
Changing Our Narrative
With Spring’s arrival, I know many of us are looking forward to spending more quality time outside. One of the greatest benefits to good weather is that spending time with nature is more tolerable. The good news is, one doesn’t have to go far, and that time can easily be captured in your own backyard or apartment patio with gardening.
With gardening, there are only a few things you need. Soil, water, sunlight, and a place to grow. If you have have a yard, you can use the existing soil or make raised garden beds. If you have an apartment with a concrete patio you can use plastic storage containers or buckets. The great part about using containers or buckets is that you can also use this technique whenever you have limited green space.
Also By David Huff: https://www.reelurbannews.com/attention-fellow-organic-gardeners/
In an earlier article, I shared my background and what drew me to gardening. I gave a few pointers and ways to save money. In the past year, home gardens have increased in popularity and many are seeking advice and are wondering how they can begin their own garden. The first piece of advice I’d like to share is that to accomplish your dream garden takes time, experience, and growing pains. Also depending on the size of your garden, cost will also vary.
First, lets begin with prepping the area for an in ground garden.
• The first step when starting your home garden is to map out an area that gets a least four to six hours of direct sunlight. Once the location is designated, clear the area of any debris, rocks, weeds, etc. This is the hardest part, but once finished it gets much easier.
• Second, you must prep the soil. If you’re doing an in-ground garden it is best to till the entire area. Not everyone owns a tiller and the easiest way is to go to your local hardware store to rent one. I’ve always relied on Home Depot because rates are cheap, and I can rent it for a few hours to an entire day.
• Third, add nutrition rich soil and till in as well. In my experience I’ve learned it is better to visit a landscape company and purchase soil, than it is to purchase soil from a hardware store. Doing so will allow you to purchase in bulk and save you tons!!
• Forth step is to create rows. The number of rows may vary based on the vegetables you decide to grow. Tips on making rows can be found on YouTube.
• Finally, the last step is to add seeds and water!!!!
The next option in gardening is to use raised garden boxes. Using raised garden boxes is great because it gives a clean look, creates containment, limits the number of weeds that can overtake your garden, and can also cut down on some material cost. When creating a garden using raised boxes, you will mimic the first step in prepping the area for an in-ground garden. Because raised garden boxes give you an isolated area, there is no need to till the entire ground. Just till the area where the box will lay. This can simply be done using a shovel.
• First, you must prep the area. Simply follow the same step in beginning an in-ground garden.
• Second, determine the size of your raised garden boxes. Sizes are determined by feet. 1ft x 3ft or 2ft x 4ft. These measurements make it easy for planting and layout. In-ground garden requires rows and spacing. Raised box gardening is accomplished with the term “square foot gardening.” For example, each square foot allows you to plant four lettuce heads.
• Third, after you’ve determined the size of your boxes place them throughout the designated area. For the ground area that is not beneath the garden box, you can simply use a grass herbicide to eliminate any unwanted grass. Once the grass dies off, lay down a weed barrier and top it or cover it with mulch.
• Fourth, with the raised garden boxes in place, use a shovel to loosen and turn the soil within the area of the raised garden box. If needed, use water to soak the area to assist with turning the soil.
• Fifth, once the soil has been turned, simply add soil to the box. Again, to cut down on cost, purchase soil from a landscaping company. Doing so will allow you to purchase in bulk at a lower cost.
• Before planting your vegetables, determine what foods you would like to grow. As mentioned earlier, when using raised garden boxes, the popular term is “square foot gardening”. A great resource is sfgplanner.com. Here you can learn what to plant, when to plant, and how much to plant within the desired area.
• Final step, very simple, add seeds and water!!!
The other option to gardening is using plastic containers. By far this is the EASIEST approach to take. Really it is. There’s no tilling requiring and no prepping of the area. Simply find a container (similar to raised garden boxes) and begin your garden.
You can purchase plastic storage containers from almost any store and use as your 1ft x 3ft raised garden bed. You can also use a 1 – 5-gallon bucket which can be equivalent of 1sqft. Once you have your containers, simply fill with soil, plant your seeds, and water. Wet soil can weigh a ton. When using containers, it is still just as important to use an area that has a minimum of four to six hours of sunlight. The benefit in using buckets is that when needed, you can simply carry the container to another area to give more light.
Of course, many will say gardening cannot be that easy. And some will argue there’s much more to it. As an experienced gardener, I would say yes, they are right. Gardening is not that easy and there is much more that is required. But they are also wrong, gardening can really be this easy and there’s not a lot to it. Just as I have, overtime you will get better at gardening, do’s and don’ts, how and when to fertilize, pruning, direct seed vs. transplant, organic compost, self-pollinating, etc. The purpose of this article is to say with some effort, time, and patience, you to can become a master gardener.
Before I go, when planting using seeds, it is very important to follow the directions on the back of the seed packet. You will be informed of your planting time “zone area”, how deep to plant (1⁄4 inch to 1 inch) in depth, and how much space is needed in between each plant (6 – 8 inches). When buying an actual plant from any nursery store, typically they will only sell the vegetables that can be planted during that time. For example, leafy greens that do well in cooler temperature seasons are not be available in warmer seasons.
Lastly, don’t forget about flowers. Flowers have multiple benefits besides adding beauty and color to your garden. The most desired benefit is what they attract and repel. Be sure to purchase flowers that attract bees and butterflies. Bees and butterflies are great for pollinating. The pollination is like that “Salt Bae” guy adding that extra ump!! to your stake. Also be sure to add flowers that repel insects. One flower to consider is marigolds. When growing Tomatoes and Cucumbers, often times they attract those pesky white flies. Marigolds are good repellents to keep white flies away. Remember, these are just the basic and are meant to encourage you and not overwhelm you.
Don’t forget, start small. If you love tomatoes, buy a tomato bush and grow it in a pot. Right now is a great time to start and as the weather gets warmer, your harvest will be in abundance!!
For more pointers, please visit my Facebook Page at Seed – Time – Harvest.
