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Vegetable Gardening – Essential Basics You Should Know!

Admin — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:13:57 +0000

Right from the level of planting a couple of tomatoes in a large pot to the level of indulging in a large scale commercial plantation area dedicated to the gardening of a wide variety of plants like lettuce, potatoes, corn, tomatoes, tall beans etc, vegetable gardening is done on all scales.

Gardeners, while taking up vegetable gardening must be well aware about its significant aspects like the climatic conditions, proper soil analysis and the duration of growth seasons. It is true that the same vegetables that are cultivated in Florida can be produced in Alaska as well. However, both varieties will differ considerably in taste, sizes and duration of growth. The vegetables that are grown in Alaska may take shorter time due to the shorter and cooler growth season in Alaska as compared to Florida's. With the advancement in cultivation science, it is possible to grow any vegetable in any part of the world with the assistance of methods like hot house effect etc. through which the climatic factors conducive to vegetables growth can be controlled effectively.

Owing to all these factors, unless the gardener is using very advanced and expensive methods of cultivation, he should be well aware of the seeds and plants that can be most easily grown in certain weather and soil conditions. This is where the importance of planning and general awareness comes into picture. Taking a small example, lets pick up a tomato. Tomatoes can be grown in a small pot in your backyard as well as in large array of fields dedicated to tomato cultivation. The difference will lie in the size and juice of the tomato. While the one that is grown in a small pot will be smaller in size, more apt for making dishes, the ones that are cultivated in fields, may find a place in McDonalds Hamburgers because of their large sizes and juicy nature. If one wants to grow large tomato at home, he will need equally large pots with each one dedicated to single tomato plant. Such option may not be very feasible sometimes due to space constraints and the proper care required.

Gardeners can be impatient too. Don't believe it. We'll tell you how. As explained earlier, vegetable gardening can be best done outdoors. However, in case, the gardener has had success with a certain plant on the mini level, and has tasted it to confirm as well, he would generally tend to go large scale with the same plant without giving much thought to the pertinent factors. In such case, too much may be attempted in one season and the eventual result can be as disastrous as the entire crop failure. A gardener venturing into vegetable gardening for the first time must consult the other gardeners in the vicinity. It may also pay off nicely to get friendly with the staff at the local garden center. They normally possess huge experience and can come handy in resolving lot of doubts of the starters.

Organic Gardening – Essential Basics You Should Know!

Admin — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:39:34 +0000

Ever since its inception, Organic gardening has taken the world of planting and cultivation by storm. Organic gardening works on the natural principles and is aimed at reducing the usage of harmful chemicals and pesticides, replacing them with highly nutritional, synthetic fertilizers. This revolutionary method of gardening encourages better understanding of nature and channeling its true values in better forms of cultivation. As it helps maintaining the biological balance by discouraging the use of chemicals, it obtains the resulting benefits from the environment as well, in the form of favorable climate changes.

The essential chemistry behind the development of the plants is as follows. Water and mineral supplies are absorbed by the roots of the plants that further pass them onto the leaves and stems, thus facilitating the photosynthesis process. By way of photosynthesis, the sunlight energy and the water content in plants are used to convert the carbon dioxide into carbohydrates. The produced carbohydrates remain stored in the plants branches and stems, enabling its further growth. Such carbohydrates are also utilized to heal the plant in case of a broken stem or during an insect attack and are also responsible for generation of fresh leaves and stems.

Earth is a natural source of all types of organic substances. Several soil enriching bacteria, fungi and earthworms breed under the ground and effectively break down dead stems and leaves, thus producing a soil benefiting substance called humus. Various such organisms breeding inside Humus are very effective in helping plants with the absorption of essential minerals. The plants roots also release substances that lure the beneficial bacteria and other kinds of organisms that keep harmful fungi at bay. Another useful method to enrich the soil is by way of adding compost to it on a yearly basis. Such compost can be produced in an organic fashion in your own backyard with the kitchen and garden garbage.

The logic behind organic gardening states that harmful insects only attack the plants that are weak. Thus, if the plants are made stronger than ever by adding natural beneficial elements, there will be zero possibility of a pathogenic attack. It is not a hidden fact that the common fertilizers and chemicals besides killing harmful insects, also destroy the good organisms in the soil. This results in further weakening of the plants making them vulnerable to another possible attack.

It is widely known that over zealous gardeners often indulge in excessive pruning of the plants. Doing so, they disturb the natural balance of the plants by reducing the carbohydrate content considerably. This results in weakening of the plants due to high vulnerability to insect attack by way of hybridization. Weeding the plants regularly is a common habit of all the gardeners. However, one must be aware that nettles give invitation to ladybirds and thistle benefit many plant-loving insects.

A garden blooming with organic plants is a sight to behold. Organic gardening is the most natural way to grow beneficial plants and breed beneficial organisms for the further growth of your garden.

Vegetable Gardening Tips – The Basics of Planting Vegetable Gardens

Admin — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:51:22 +0000

Planting vegetable gardens is a very rewarding hobby. Not only is it good for you, because of all the exercise needed to complete the task, but also because of all the vegetables that you'll enjoy. In order for your vegetables to be pesticide free, it’s important that you plant them yourself. You can grow them anywhere, whether in the midst of a city, or in a more rural setting. But in order to be successful, you need to get the basics of planting correct, as listed in these vegetable gardens tips.

Soil preparation

Number one of our vegetable gardens tips, is that the new gardener needs to learn the importance of soil preparation. This step plays a vital role in whether your vegetable garden will be productive or not, regardless of if you plant in garden boxes or use a part of your backyard. You need to understand that there are three types of soil; sand, clay and silt. Sandy soil is very loose, allowing the plant roots to breathe, as it lets the air easily pass through. Clay soil soaks up water quicker and retains it longer. This makes it perfect for places that receive a lot of sunlight, and are generally hot areas, where the soil dries up quickly. The last type of soil is silt, which is a fine combination of clay and sand particles.

The preparation of soil for your garden is the most important of vegetable garden tips, because it is the foundation of good gardening. The first step is to break up the clumps as you dig up the soil. Be sure and remove any weeds, roots, and rocks you find in this part of the process. Handle the soil to see if you have a good mixture of clay, sand, and silt, before you begin placing vegetable plants in your garden. An even mixture of sand and silt should make up 80% of the soil, while the remaining 20% should be clay. This mixture is to make certain that the roots will not choke or rot, because too much water is being trapped for too long inside the soil. The best way to test whether you have the right composition of soil is to scoop up a handful and form it into a ball. If the soil is able to hold its shape, then you have the right combination. However, if the soil cannot hold its shape, then you probably have too much sand or silt in the mixture. On the other hand, if the soil holds its shape so well that it doesn’t want to crumble when probed, then you need to balance out the clay with sand and silt.

Choose Your Vegetables

While it s OK to choose what kind of vegetables you want to plant ahead of time, plants shouldn’t be purchased until soil preparation is finished. This keeps them from drying out, or becoming root-bound in their small nursery containers, while they wait to be planted. Once soil cultivation is finished, however, its time to choose, purchase, and plant your new vegetables. Another of our vegetable gardens tips is that its important to know that some vegetables don't grow well, when you place them too close to certain types of other vegetables. For instance, tomatoes and/or squash tend to inhibit the growth of potatoes, if they are planted too close to one another. Be sure and ask your local garden nursery which vegetable plants do well together, and which ones should be kept separate.

Proper Watering Is Crucial

Once you have chosen your vegetables and have planted them in your cultivated soil, proper watering is the next of our vegetable gardens tips. Consistent watering is the name of the game when it comes to vegetables. Soaker hoses are an excellent choice when watering vegetables in a medium to large space. An automatic watering timer is another wise investment if your schedule tends to keep you from watering consistently.

A little patience goes a long way when planting vegetable gardens. Research, experimentation, and experience will help you find the right type of soil for the right type of vegetables, that work best for you. Planting your own garden, watching it grow, and harvesting the produce is very fulfilling. And enjoying fresh vegetables with friends and family, that you grew in your own garden, is a joy. All the hard work will be worth it if you follow these vegetable gardens tips.

The Basics of Organic Gardening

Admin — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:58:11 +0000

The stress brought by modernization has made people realize that there is a need to cultivate healthy foods. Thinking that these will ensure the health of the future generations, more and more of people became interested with the basics of organic gardening.

As defined, organic gardening refers to the act of planting and growing crops without relying on the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and other synthetic products. This is to ensure that the crop is 100 percent all natural and free from harmful chemicals and elements that can lead illnesses to people.

Pointers for organic gardening

In organic gardening, the basic consideration is the soil where the crop will be placed. Veterans say that the perfect soil for organic gardening should be filled with nitrogen, which will contribute much to the health of the crop being planted. The soil should also be placed in an area where sunlight and air reaches it.

Experts also advise that clay soil is the most ideal type to be used in organic gardening because it is relatively high in nutrients compared to other types of soil. Aside from containing higher amount of nutrients good for the plants, it is best in holding the water for replenishing the plants. Although some types can also be used such as sand and garden soil, they cannot produce better crops just like the clay soil can. What you can do is to add some organic matter to make it more suitable for the plants.

Aside from the soil preparation and the area where it should be placed, here are some of the basics of organic gardening to help you get by:

1. Preparation of organic matter. Since this will be the one where the plants will get their nutrients, preparation of organic matter should be paid attention very carefully. As defined, organic matter can be a plant that is decaying or an animal waste that is mixed together with the soil. Aside from decaying plants and wastes of animals, organic matter can also be a clipping of grass, leaves that are dried, scraps from the kitchen such as vegetable stalks and peels of fruits as well as heads of fresh or cooked fish. Organic matter is very important in organic gardening because it serves as a conditioner for the soil to support the growing crops in it. Organic matter should always be regularly replenished. It can be put on top of the soil or can be mixed with it so the nutrients and other minerals can be absorbed very well.

2. Controlling pests and other plant-related diseases without the use of synthetic chemicals. Since the basic premise of organic gardening is using all-natural products, it is best if you familiarize yourself with the natural means of controlling pests in your crops. These natural means of controlling pests include worms and other insects that can defend your plants against other harmful elements. You can also prevent your plant from diseases if you inspect them regularly for any sign of damage. Once you suspect that there is a threat for plant illness, it is best if you remove the plant affected quickly to avoid the spread of the disease to nearby plants.

3. Selecting the ideal plants for your organic gardening. One of the basics of organic gardening that all people should know is how to select plants that will fit your natural condition. It is very important to understand that not all plants are suitable for all climates. To ensure that you will grow healthy plants, make sure that you check your site conditions and decide which are the plants that can withstand the environment available.

Vegetable Gardening For Beginners – Know The Basics

Admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:48:54 +0000

If you wish to set up your very own vegetable garden and have absolutely no idea on how to go about it, do not lose sleep over it! It is not at all complicated or hard for a novice to start a vegetable garden. It is far more easy to grow vegetables than flowers.
As a rule, vegetables need plenty of sunshine. Vegetables require a minimum of 6 hours of sunshine daily, so pick a location that gets plenty of sunlight. A few leafy vegetable such as spinach, lettuce, and endive require a little amount of shade in the daytime, but vegetables that grow roots such as beets, peppers, radishes, carrots, tomatoes and squash could do with ample sunshine. A further point to be noted when a beginner starts a vegetable garden, is to avoid low-lying areas where water is prone to stagnate after rainfall.
High-quality loamy soil, which is properly drained, is what you require. If the right soil is not present in your garden spot, you have the option of developing it with fine soil management. A number of books on starting a basic vegetable garden are available and can help you out on this or you can approach a garden outlet to seek guidance.
A garden located on a level ground calls for low maintenance, but in case you grow vegetable on an incline, lay down the rows along the incline, instead of above and below. This tends to check erosion and at the same time give plants the greatest amount of rainwater. Spreading mulch around plants will aid in collecting water and stopping erosion. In case the hill has a precipitous incline, you need to use wood or stones to terrace it.
An additional guideline for basic vegetable gardening is to ensure the garden is located close to a water source, even thought it is only a garden hosepipe. Vegetables contain up to 90% water, and hence soil moisture is very important for the crops to grow. A heavy spread of mulch will aid in keeping the garden soil damp, but nearly 25.4mm of water every week is required by the crops, by way of either irrigation or rainfall.
A final rule regarding basic vegetable gardening is that if you are residing on a huge estate or in the countryside, it is a great idea to locate the garden near the house. There are a number of explanations for this. It is far easier to provide proper care to the garden if it is located close by. Further, you do not have to go a long way to transport the crops to the house. When preparing a meal, you simply have to step outside to pick fresh produce from your garden. Closeness to the house would also deter marauding animals such as rabbits, possums, raccoons, and deer that feast on the vegetables in the garden. It is advisable to fence in the area.

Your Garden Design Basics

Admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:48:52 +0000

As landscape matures, things change. Garden design is the process of designing the layout and planting of domestic gardens while keeping this change under control. But as people's lifestyles change the areas once used for kids play or for dining out evenings, may no longer be needed. Furthermore, in case the house you bought came with mature plantings that do not any more look healthy or suit your taste, the time has come for you to understand what landscape design is and why should you revive your garden by re-modeling the space and focusing on the plantation you want and covers your needs.

Garden owners became increasingly involved in garden design during the twentieth century and there was considerable expansion in the garden designers' profession. Specifically, education on garden design has emerged from the older traditions of training and most garden designers are currently trained in design and horticulture. Over the years, well-known garden designers obtain an expert knowledge of plants, their habits and their needs. Most importantly, garden designers focus on constructing an outdoor space that is not only beautiful to see, but also feasible to manage and corresponds to the needs of the particular house residents. That is the reason why elements of garden design include landform and planting design, water features like fountains and ponds, garden lighting, sculpture and garden furniture.

As re-modeling of houses and gardens has turned out to be an "in" thing to do these days, more and more people consider altering their garden's design and begin looking for possible ideas that will enhance their existing living space. If you are convinced that redesigning your home garden is a necessary step towards the outdoor space of your dreams, then the first thing you should do is to take a hard and honest look at what you have and reassess it so you can make improvements to your life and your lifestyle. If for example, you want to hide the garage walls from your view or to conceal the garbage and recycling area, consider shrub plantings, but make sure that once they are fully grown they will not obstruct access to the area you wish to "hide."

It is important to landscape your yard in conjunction with your home's size as well as its style and structure. As you are designing your outdoor space, keep in mind that trees get taller and cast deeper shades, bushes outgrow their original compactness and places in the garden and plants in pots at some point need to be transferred to bigger containers.

Remember that landscaping should only serve to enhance your home, as plants and trees must be in scale and balance with each other, as well as with your home, so as not to detract attention away! Spend your money wisely by planning the type of shrubs and trees you will purchase in conjunction with the type of home you own.

Home Vegetable Garden Basics: Convenience

Admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:51:02 +0000

Many people think that the first criteria when picking the "best spot" for a home vegetable garden is good soil; however, although good soil is important, good soil is made, not found. You can rebuild the soil once the spot has been chosen. When you are choosing where you want your home vegetable garden patch to be, you must focus on its convenience and exposure.

Convenience means your home vegetable garden should be "close by" or as close to your house as possible. You may think that a difference of only a few hundred yards cannot be that significant; however, if you have to largely depend upon spare moments for working in and for watching the home vegetable garden, convenience will be much more important than you think.

Don't wait till you have had to make a dozen time-wasting trips for forgotten seeds or tools or gotten your feet soaking wet by going out through the dew-drenched grass to gather those "vegetables of the day" to realize that "close access to your home vegetable garden" is important.

Another point to remember is that the "home vegetable garden patch" does not have to be set in an ugly spot in your backyard or hidden behind the barn or garage. If you carefully plan, plant, and care for your home vegetable garden, this little patch can end up not only producing very nourishing vegetables for you, but it can also end up being a most beautiful and harmonious part of your landscape. Thus having this home vegetable garden in close proximity to your house can lend a touch of comfortable homeliness that no shrubs, border, or flower beds can ever produce.

The next most important criteria when picking out your home vegetable garden spot which is to give you hours of joy and yield delicious vegetables all summer, or even for many years, is the exposure.

Pick out the "closest" spot or plot you can find where your home vegetable garden will slope a little to the south or east, will catch the sunshine early and hold it late, and will be, as much as possible, out of the direct path of the chilling north and northeast winds.

It's important to get seedlings growing as soon as possible and to keep them growing; therefore, if a building, or even an old fence, protects your home vegetable garden from the chilling north or northeast winds, your vegetables will be helped along wonderfully.

If this home vegetable garden patch is not already protected, a board fence or a hedge of some low-growing shrubs or young evergreens would be most helpful. The importance of having such a protection or shelter is greatly underestimated by the amateur.

To summarize, when you are choosing that "best spot" for your home vegetable garden, make sure you consider these basics: Find a spot which is convenient and close to your house and make sure your home vegetable garden is positioned so that it gets lots of sun and is somewhat protected from the elements.