Jul
2
Written by:
Humber Nurseries
7/2/2009 2:30 PM
Probably the hottest and most talked about trend in gardening for the 2009 season is edibles. Why?
- The state of the world economy and global uncertainty has motivated people to look for ways to save money (seeds are readily available and inexpensive) and provide a sense of stability in their lives.
- Growing edibles connects us to simpler times and provides us with a sense of accomplishment.
- The desire to eat pesticide free and/or organic food.
- Certainly the President of the United States and the First Lady planting a vegetable garden at the White House hasn’t hurt. (It is the first time since Eleanor Roosevelt did it during World War II.)
Whatever your reasons may be, why not consider converting part of your yard or garden to edibles? It is worth noting here that gardening is all about compromise, as you will see below. Choices will have to be made, but you can have lots of fun learning and working with nature. Remember, very few things beat the pleasure of eating a tomato fresh off of the vine!!
Here are some questions and tips to help you get started:
- What is the purpose of the garden?
Are you trying to help feed a family of 4 or do you just enjoy cooking with fresh herbs. Be clear on ‘why’ you are starting this garden. Remember that you will reap more reward by achieving your purpose. This clarity will also help you improve the garden each new season, because you will know what worked and what didn’t in relation to your purpose.
- How much space can you dedicate to growing your edibles?
Deciding on the size and conditions of the space you are prepared to use will help you to choose the correct plants to grow. As an example, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers take up a lot of space, while lettuce and many herbs use much less.
- Determine your budget.
If you have the space and want to grow 100 Dill plants for pickling, should you buy established plants from Humber Nurseries or buy seeds and save? Some thought needs to be put into the space required to grow from seed, the time it takes to get them to planting size, as well as the specific conditions necessary for a high germination rate. Only then can you assess which is a more cost effective approach.
- Create a Layout.
The amount of space, light and water needed for each type of plant in your garden should be considered, along with the conditions in and around your garden. Then create a plan or layout to help prevent surprises and disappointments. You wouldn’t want to have a crop failure because of a downspout that keeps your lettuce too wet or have spinach (which prefers cool soil) planted in the same spot as peppers (that prefer warm soil).
With just a little time, planning and investment, you can have a wonderful vegetable and/or herb garden that will offer hours of enjoyment.
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