5 Tips to Start a Garden Organic Gardening April 2009

5 Tips to Start a Garden
Organic Gardening April 2009

Thinking of starting a vegetable garden this spring? Here are 5 simple tips to keep in mind before getting started...

The April issue of Organic Gardening has an article of tips for first time gardeners:

1. Watch the sun: food plants will need at least 6 hours of sunlight a day, so walk around the yard at different times to check out how the sun falls; the south or west side of the yard is a good bet

2. Check the drainage: make sure the plot isn't at the bottom of a hill where water collects

3. Don't start off too big: many first time gardeners get carried away with size, three 4x8 foot beds is plenty

4. Stay nearby: a garden close to home makes planning meals easier

5. Think outside the box: Container gardening is a great option if a yard isn't available

For more tips, check out the the site by author Patti Moreno at gardengirltv.com

Comments (3)

I especially agree with #3. I have two beds 4x8, and a few containers of herbs and peppers. It's plenty of garden for two people. And when everything starts producing at the same time, then it will be too much for two.

posted by HillE on April 20th 2009 at 12:19pm
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For container gardens, I absolutely love using self-watering containers (very similar to EarthBoxes but homemade). They're cheap and quick to make - I made four in a half hour out of plastic five-gallon buckets. You can even re-use five-gallon buckets that once held food if you know a local restaurant that uses them. Googling "self watering containers" will provide a ton of helpful links. The only caution I have is that some herbs prefer drier environments and actually won't do as well in SWCs, but my tomato, strawberry, and bell pepper plants are very happy on my tiny porch!

posted by meerkat on April 20th 2009 at 12:25pm
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Here's a recent post I did on the timeline of setting up a garden - http://gustoso.wordpress.com/2009/02/20/timeline/

posted by gustoso on April 21st 2009 at 1:19am
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