Archive for the ‘Vegetable Gardening’ Category

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Gardening During Hard Times or Emergencies – You Can Feed Yourself!

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

Do you ever worry about always having to rely on getting seeds and fertilizer from the store? What would you do in a survival situation, if you could not go to a store to purchase these things?

Let’s compare it to your food supply. What would you do about your store-purchased food? Many wise people buy more than they need of food items that store well, and create a “year’s supply” of the essentials in their basement or other cool, dry place. This is the biblical answer. As you may remember, Joseph in Egypt saved grain for 7 years and then fed the whole Egyptian nation, as well as his own family and others, during the next 7 years of famine.

The same approach will work even better for gardening – with both seeds and fertilizers. For about $25 you can buy the triple-sealed Garden In A Can from Mountain Valley Seeds, with enough non-hybrid seeds to grow a 1/2-acre garden! If these are stored in a cool dry place they will remain viable for a very long time. The website is www.mvseeds.com, and I highly recommend you get a can, or the smaller Garden in a Pouch for about $12.

And if natural mineral fertilizers are kept dry, they will store indefinitely while still maintaining their potency. Therefore I suggest you also buy and store enough Pre-Plant Mix and Weekly Feed to grow at least one year’s garden. The formulas for mixing your own are in the Learn section of the Food For Everyone Foundation’s website at www.growfood.com.

A rule of thumb for how much fertilizer you would need to store, in order to have your year’s supply, is 6# of Pre-Plant and 12# of Weekly Feed per 30′ soil-bed. Even though you will only feed some crops 4 or 5 times, remember that if you are really living out of your garden, you will be growing two or three crops, and doing it from March or April, right up until frost in October. Therefore, see the following chart for suggestions on how much to store, depending on the size of your garden.

GARDEN SIZE PRE-PLANT MIX WEEKLY FEED

20′ X 30′ (4 soil-beds) 25# 50#

40′ X 65′ (16 soil-beds) 100# 200#

50′ X 100′ (30 soil-beds) 200# 400#

Now, what can you do if the emergency goes beyond a year, and you’ve used up all your fertilizer? First off, don’t expect the same quantity of production as you obtained with balanced mineral nutrients, but you can grow a healthy garden using manure tea. Here’s how.

Get a large burlap bag and a 55-gallon barrel. Find cow or horse manure (chicken or turkey is twice as hot, so less will be needed), and fill the bag 2/3′s full. Place the bag in the barrel and fill it with water. Let the manure soak or “steep” for 24 hours, then use the “tea” to water your vegetable plants. Replace the bag of manure in the barrel and let steep for 48 hours. Again, water with the tea, then dump the spent manure out and till into an unused portion of the garden. It has very little nutrient value, but can improve your soil tilth. Remember to plant a little further apart when doing this, because plants will be competing for less available nutrition. And every watering should be with the manure tea for your plants to thrive. You should expect to grow a smaller garden, and spend some time finding manure and hand-watering.

If manure just isn’t available, save your kitchen scraps and human waste. Many countries do it all the time, so it’s not the end of the world. And all clean, healthy plant residue should be saved and properly composted for re-use in the garden – again preferably as manure tea.

By the way, even 4 soil-beds, when properly worked and cared for, especially if combined with good seedling production, could produce a large amount of food. As an example, if only one crop was grown, you could produce 2,000# or more of tomatoes, or even cabbage – if you grew 3 crops. So is this approach cost effective? You do the math. Suppose you invest $50 in your year’s supply of seeds and fertilizers. What will 2,000 pounds of vegetables be worth to your family during hard times? Think of Joseph in Egypt!

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Jim Kennard

James B. (Jim) Kennard, the President of Food For Everyone Foundation, has a wealth of leadership, financial, business, teaching, and gardening training and experience upon which to draw in helping the Foundation to achieve its goals. He is a retired (CPA), practicing as managing partner in a Salt Lake City firm since 1972, and has also owned and successfully managed several different businesses, including hotels, shopping centers, apartments, and retail establishments during the past twenty five years.

Jim has been a Mittleider gardener for the past twenty-eight years, he is a Master Mittleider Gardening Instructor, and has taught classes and worked one-on-one with Dr. Jacob Mittleider on several gardening projects in the USA and abroad, in addition to conducting projects himself in Armenia, Madagascar, and Turkey. He grows a demonstration garden at Utah’s Hogle Zoo, and assists gardeners around the world on the Foundation’s website and the free Gardening Group. http://www.foodforeveryone.org

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Four Gardening Mistakes to Avoid

Friday, October 30th, 2009

Save yourself time and frustration by avoiding these mistakes and your vegetable garden will be a success season after season.

1. Don’t plant in too small of a space- make sure the area you are using is large enough for all your vegetable plants. For years, I kept making the mistake of buying too many plants for too small a space. Or, there would be more plants in the pack than I could use, but I was determined not to throw anything away. One year the cucumbers overtook the tomatoes and caused them to die. Another year I planted watermelons that wrapped themselves around the other plants until they choked the life out of them.

2. Don’t plant more than you can care for. Unless you have a lot of time every day to work on your garden, limit your choices to two or three vegetables you want to work with and what you’ll look forward to eating freshly picked from your garden.There’s nothing like a home grown tomato sliced up with mayo between two pieces of toast. I plant at least two varieties of tomatoes so they won’t all be ready at the same time and I can enjoy them for months.

3. Don’t plant where the light is bad- make sure your garden is in full sun at least six hours of the day. As the trees in your yard grow every year, the shade they provide changes as well, and eventually they might block the sun your plants so desperately need. One year I planted too close to my wooden fence, and didn’t realize that this spot got sun for only an hour every day. My plants never grew well and I wound up having a disappointing growing season that year.

4. Don’t forget your garden- plant your vegetables where you can see them from your kitchen or deck. Not only will this remind you to water on those days it doesn’t rain, but you can see the results of your labor every day. You’ll notice how tall the plants are getting; see that first vegetable that’s ready for picking, and you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment as your garden changes from week to week. Plus when you have company over, they can see the ‘fruits of your labor’ for themselves!

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Kathy Swann has over 25 years experience in office administration, payroll and Human Resources. Her e-book “How to Win When You Lose Your Job: A Handbook for Those Soon to Be Unemployed” was written to help employees understand what benefits are available to them should they lose their job through no fault of their own. Purchase this e-book at www.loseyourjob.ne

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You Can Grow Organic Vegetables At Home

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

Anybody can do organic vegetable gardening at home because the principle behind this is not that different from what they do in the farm. The only difference is that you work in a smaller area and you get to choose what you like plant.

The first thing you have to do is find an ideal location. A lot of people do organic vegetable gardening in their backyard. To make it work, whatever you are planting should get at least 6 hours of sunlight everyday and access to water.

Just like the ancient civilizations that relied on an efficient irrigation system, you too should do the same by making sure there is adequate drainage because if you don’t, you will have to do organic vegetable gardening using a raise bed.

When your ideal location has been found, it is time to cultivate the land. For that, you will need your gardening tools and a pair of gloves to pluck out the weeds on the ground. This might take a few days to make sure the area is ready for planting.

You will only know if the ground you are going to plant your vegetable is a good spot by testing it with some compost and mixing this with the soil. Should it be able to integrate and stabilize itself with the soil, this means that you can start planting your crops and see it grow in the succeeding weeks.

If you don’t like to buy compost from the gardening store, you can make your own using coffee grounds, dead leaves, grass clippings, food waste or even manure. They also serve as excellent fertilizers.

As for your vegetables, take note that some of these may not be suitable in the land you are planting these on. This is because of several factors that are beyond your control such as the weather, pests and other plant borne diseases. You can avoid making this mistake by doing some research on what vegetables are ideal to plant in your area and asking fellow organic gardeners.

One way to protect the organic vegetables you are planting is by planting a variety of them at a time since some of these protect each other from pests. Such practice is better known as crop rotation especially when you want to adapt with the weather in your area. Another defense system that works is getting the help of Mother Nature as birds, certain insects and even toads have proven to be useful.

If you live in an area where wild animals may eat your vegetables, you should put up fences so they are not able to get through. Other tools you can use are animal hair, baby powder and deodorant soaps.

Part of preparing the land is removing the weeds. But remember that new weeds grow after some time so you have to inspect the area from time to time.

Planting your own organic vegetable garden at home will surely save you money as these are quite expensive in the supermarket. If you have some excess stocks when it is time to harvest them, maybe you can give some to your neighbors or make some money by selling it at the local market which isn’t that bad given that you don’t shell out that much cash for this investment.

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How To Plant Herbs In Your Garden.

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

Growing herbs in your garden can be a great way to get fresh herbs for cooking or medicinal purposes. In many cases you can grow them right in with your other flowers, or keep them in containers so that you can bring them inside in the winter months for a bountiful indoor herb garden.

The first point is to set your garden size, regardless if you are growing indoor or outdoor. In case you are using indoor space such as close to kitchen or in your balcony etc. Note down dimensions of your area to be used for growing herbs. Divide marked area into manageable containers size. The popular containers used in indoor herb garden are 5-10 inches deep containers or 6″ cup for individual herb plant. In case you want to differentiate between herbs grow them in cluster in separate containers such as mint in one container and parsley in another container. You can also label your individual plant cups for easy identification.

The real result of growing herbs will depend upon how well you design herb garden, what size of containers you use, how well you use potting soil and how well plants are given water and sunshine. Also not all herb plants can be grown in container, some plants are grow tall such as “Dill”, you don’t want small trees in your kitchen. All these factors are important in growing herbs in container. One of the reasons why herbs containers are placed close to kitchen is that you will see them when you are cooking. This will ensure their use in your daily cooking.

The 10 or 12″ can contain up to 4 herbs. You can grow 4 herbs of same type or variety in one container. Depending upon the size of the area you are using for herb garden you can add more containers. Ensure proper drainage is there in containers and are placed close to sunshine area. They need few hours of sunshine to survive.

Herbs can be grown in small pots, or right in your garden; keep in mind that herbs do not grow to be big plants, so if you are putting them in your garden with other plants, keep them away from the larger ones where they may get overtaken. It may be a good idea to start the herbs in small pots and then transfer them to your garden when they get bigger. Many people like to grow herbs right outside their kitchen window, where they are easily accessible. What could be more convenient than picking the herbs as you need them, right outside your window?

There are many large reasons for making a potted herb garden. On thing you can use your herb garden in pots for is keeping culinary herbs on hand all year long. Keep the pots outside near the kitchen door in summer and bring them in and sit them on the windowsill in winter.

When making a potted herb garden you do not have to keep them indoors. It is possible to grow your herbs inside or outside. Either way you choose, you need to know the amount of sun that each plant should have. There are herbs that like full sun, while others grow well when placed in partially shaded areas.

Sometimes growing herbs in pots can be difficult because pots do not offer the same moisture control and necessary nutrients as outdoor soil does. Many herbs do fine in pots with some extra attention from the grower. These hearty herbs include basil, dill, mint, sage, and lavender.

Herbs can be perennials or biennials so you need to plant them with this in mind. You wouldn’t want to put your biennials in the back row knowing that you might have to trample over some perennials to get to them and replant. Since herbs can be decorative as well as useful, pay particular attention to how tall they are and what they look like when they flower so that you can incorporate them into your garden accordingly.

You will need to decide on which herbs you want to grow depending on your likes and taste buds. A good start would be to plant some rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano and mint. Also, decide on whether you want to use seeds and grow your herbs from scratch, or if you want to purchase seedlings that have already been started. If you are a novice gardener, seedlings may be a better choice.

Once you have planted your herbs, you will want them to reach their full potential by using fertilizer or compost. This will give the soil the nutrients it needs in order to grow your herbs to perfection, in both size, and taste!

Make proper preparations to the soil and make sure the amount of moisture is sufficient. Lavender enjoys the sun and needs an alkaline soil that is dry. Clay chips will maintain the moisture in a pot, but this can also lead to too much moisture. When in a container, the clay will absorb the moisture and hold it for extended periods of time. You should make sure that your soil contains a mixture of sand and clay.

Root rot is the most common problem for plants in containers. This is the result of excessive moisture. While it’s fine for most plants to be continually wet, most herbs prefer drier soil. When we say moist, that doesn’t necessarily mean always wet. Try this: Push your thumb on the surface of the soil. Is it a little springy? That means it’s moist. Is it hard? That means it’s dry. Next, take a toothpick (or even better, a moisture gauge). Stick it in the soil to see its moisture content. While the toothpick is good in a pinch, the gauge will provide a more accurate and useful reading.

If you live in a climate that has four seasons, you may want to consider bringing your plants indoors for the winter; or you can dry your herbs. Air drying your herbs will maintain the nutrients and essential oils and are as good as using fresh. It will also give a nice fresh scent in your home!

To air dry your herbs so you can ensure an ample supply for winter, it’s best to pick the leaves in late summer or early fall. Let the leaves dry completely and place in a paper bag that you have punched holes in. Don’t forget to label the bag with the name of the herb. Hang upside down in bundles of 4 or 5 branches. Your herbs should be completely dried in two or three weeks. You can then take them and store them in airtight containers or Ziploc bags.

One thing to keep in mind when growing herbs is that they like a sandy, well drained soil that has a neutral PH. An interesting thing to note is that a very fertile soil is not recommended for herbs since this will encourage excess leaf growth which will reduce the flavor of the plant. Organic matter is great for herbs so consider adding some compost or peat moss to your soil.

One interesting thing about herb plants is that most pests tend to avoid them and they are not highly susceptible to diseases either, so a herb garden can be rather easy to maintain.

Harvesting herbs at the right time will insure that you get them when they are their most flavorful and potent. For most herbs this is shortly before the flowers are to bloom (except for mints which are most flavorful when in full bloom). You want to pick the third sunny day in a row and be sure to harvest in the morning right after the dew has evaporated.

While growing herbs outdoors will yield you the most productive plants, you can still have a great indoor herb garden as long as you have a window with plenty of sunlight and good well drained soil. You should put them in a southerly facing window and you might consider supplementing the light with a grow light in the winter months. Be sure your pots allow for plenty of drainage and never leave your herb plants to sit in a saucer of water. When summer comes, consider placing your herbs outdoors so they can flourish.

Whether you are growing herbs outdoors or want an indoor herb garden on your kitchen windowsill, trying your hand at herb gardening can be a fun way to get great plants, enjoy a relaxing hobby and add some spice to your cooking!

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Why Is Organic Vegetable Gardening So Important These Days

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

Organic vegetable gardening seems to be the trend these days as more people have become conscious of what they are eating. This is because conventional methods which involve the use of harmful chemicals may enter our systems.

In order to control the problem, the US Department of Agriculture has issued a new directive. This encourages farmers to shift to organic farming.

With organic farming, farmers will no longer need to plant crops using genetic engineering, irradiation and sewage sludge. Instead, this will be replaced with crop rotation.

Crop rotation is the practice of planting a different crop in the same area where another crop once occupied. This keeps the soil’s nutrients fertile so it can be used again in the following season.

If you think about it, this approach is easier said than done as farmers are accustomed to the old ways of doing it. To help them change their minds, the government offers incentives and subsidies to farmers who decide to follow this plan.

But the main reason why organic vegetable gardening is so important is the fact that the crops harvested have 50% more nutrients and vitamins compared to that of conventional farming methods.

This means the food they consume will reduce the risk of people suffering from a number of diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and certain cancers.

Children who drink milk will be able to get more anti-oxidants, CLA, Omega 3 and vitamins when this is extracted from pastured grazed cows that will really strengthen their bones and muscles.

You can buy organically grown vegetables from the supermarket. The sad part is the almost everywhere you go, although the packaging comes from Department of Health, Quality Assurance International, California Certified Organic Farmers or the Oregon Tilth Farm Verified Organic, most of these are only 50% to 70% organic.

This is why homeowners who want to eat 100% organic vegetables are encouraged to grow these themselves.

There are two ways to make this happen. First, you buy the seedlings until they grow so you can harvest the. Second, you buy them fully grown and then just plant it into the ground.

Most people prefer the first because it makes them proud to know that what is served on the table was done from scratch.

In both cases, you have to prepare the soil, use compost and make sure that these are safe from threats such as insects, weeds and other animals that will eat what you have planted.

You can fight these with other animals, insects, organic fertilizers, deodorant soap and a few other items which you can find out after doing some research.

For those who don’t have a big garden, they can try growing these organically grown vegetables in containers. They require more water than those planted in the soil so give doses frequently.

There is no doubt that organic vegetables and other products are important these days. If you value your health and those of your family you can buy these from the store or plant it yourself.

For those who decide to buy organically grown vegetables, remember to wash before cooking them. This will remove any harmful substances or residue that may still be there which is invisible to the naked eye.

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