Monday, September 8, 2014

Plan Next Year’s Garden Today



I have been gardening all my life. Part of the process was sharing food with others and learning to plan for lean seasons.  If you have children, encourage them to have a garden of their own and arrange for its care if they will be gone for a day or so. It’s a fantastic way for them to learn responsibility and enjoy the fruits of their labor. 

What’s the best place in town to get healthy fruits and vegetables free from pesticides and unwanted chemicals? Quite a few people have discovered it’s from the raised container gardens in their very own yard or patio. What makes raised containers so great?
Multiple sizes
Home garden areas range from less than a square yard to acres of planting room. Build or buy containers to fit your lifestyle and the plants you want to raise. Six by six inch squares can hold green onions, radishes, or carrots, as well as herbs. The concrete blocks with the holes in the center are an excellent small container choice.
Convenience
If it’s hard for you to get around, set the containers near the door that is easy for you to access. Measure the height so you can harvest the crop when it ripens. Use a drip system to water or some other convenient method.
Types of Soil and Environment
Like every other living thing, each type of plant has different soil requirements. Check with your local US Department of Agriculture for instructions on DIY soil improvement and compost heaps. Be sure each plant gets enough, but not too much, sunshine every day.



Plant the Foods You Like to Eat
If you are planting for yourself, grow the foods you enjoy eating. Radishes are quick and easy to grow, but why waste time growing something you will not eat? A few strawberry and zucchini squash plants, some carrots, and Swiss chard yield fresh produce to eat now and freeze for later.
Share the Bounty
Ask friends, family, and acquaintances about seed sharing. If each person in the group buys a couple of packs of seeds and shares them, everyone’s garden will cost less for a larger amount of variety. Contact the local senior centers and homeless shelters to find out if they will accept surplus fruits and veggies from your garden.
Use your computer to design next year’s garden so it can be in place by spring. Make a list of what you intend to grow, as well as the people in your seed sharing group. Stay in touch over the winter to keep the enthusiasm flowing. Happy gardening!

33 comments:

  1. I have a yard full of shade, so there aren't any gardens in my near future....well unless I chop down a bunch of trees. At least I am keeping my farmer's market in business :)

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  2. We battle about herb locations every single year. i want them by the house so i can grab them quick for cooking. hubby wants them in the garden. we're lucky we have space for a large garden area!

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  3. I use containers and a raised bed.

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  4. I have a garden and I try to move everything around each year. Sadly, my squash did not do as well this summer (not enough sun.) I'm already planning for next year!

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  5. I just heard a story like this on TV today. Wow, think about next year's garden. I'm still harvesting this year's crop. But it is important to rotate plantings.

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  6. I love gardening. Even though I grew up in the city and most of time time we lived in an apartment, my mom always had some container with vegetables and herbs in them. Now that I have my own property (acres) I am finally able to plant so much more. Sadly, I had a lot destroyed this year in our bad thunderstorms. It was not a total loss. I did get a nice haul of tomatoes, zucchini, corn and even potato. My squash is still going!

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  7. I haven't planted a garden, but someday! I do shop our local farmer's market, though!

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  8. A friend just stopped by and we are sharing some of our extra veggies that we just harvested from our back yard garden. It feels good to share with friends.

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  9. I love gardening, but our garden didn't turn out well this year. Next year I am considering a container garden!

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  10. I've always wanted to garden, but I just haven't found the time yet. If I ever do, I'll definitely use this to prepare.

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  11. I'm not really a gardener, but this was still a really good read. Very interesting!

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  12. I love this post. I'm a big vegetable gardener, so I love to read any and all gardening articles. Thanks!

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  13. Thanks for these great tips! Gardening is really big in Texas. The hot weather and the sun make for great vegetables.

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  14. This is a great plan. I really need to get on top of it this year.

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  15. We created a vegetable garden for the first time this year. We got lots of great zucchini, tomatoes and peppers out of it! I can't wait to plant more next year!

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  16. my husband was just talking about wanting to plant tomatoes and stuff next year, and we've never gardened so this was a good read for me!

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  17. We have a garden but each year my husband asks if I want to make it bigger. If I plan early like you suggest, I can actually be ready when he asks again.

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  18. I love to garden. I haven't done so in a while since my husband and the bunnies killed or ate everything. But I would love to get back at it.

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  19. I would love to be able to plant a garden. My black thumb and lack of space outside keeps me from it though.

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  20. I wish I had done a garden this year. It just kept falling off the list. Next year, for sure.

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  21. What a good idea to actually plan out and design a garden on the computer. You could even put in accurate measurements. I like it!

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  22. What a great idea! I wasn't able to do my garden this year, so I'm hoping for next year. So I should start planning now!

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  23. We need to plan our garden better, every year we just plant whatever plants we find at Home Depot and end up with a bunch food we don't even want. We should put compost down too so our plants grow stronger next year.

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  24. I wish I was a gardener! I just kill everything. Maybe I'll try again for next year

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  25. We planted our first garden this year. We didn't put a lot in because we were late putting the garden in. We planted tomatoes and kale at first then added peas. Next year i want to do come squash for sure and cucumbers.

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  26. You could teach me a thing or two about gardening! I certianly need some help in that department!

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  27. I have been thinking about a veggie and herb garden but have been too busy. I must get it going

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  28. I love city living, but I do miss gardening. I've tried container gardening for two years now, but haven't had much luck.

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  29. Maybe if I do this, I'll really put it into play next year. I added a few herbs and it worked out beautifully. A little at at a time for me.

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  30. I need to plan now. The kiddos really want a garden and I want it to mimic the local children's garden with fun touch and feel plants as well as edibles.

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  31. I need to start planning again. I wish I would have started our garden this year, but the time just got away from me.

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  32. We hope to have a house next year, and a garden is on the top of the to-do list!

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  33. We moved here too late to have a garden but I definitely would like to plant a few things for next year. I just need to figure out where the best spot for one would be.

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