As the Garden Grows

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How Does Your Garden Grow – An Introduction To Raised Beds

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The push towards a “green” lifestyle has inspired many people to consider growing their own food. The growing cost of groceries plays are part as well, and besides, it’s just healthier to eat fresh, organic food. Whatever your particular reason for wanting to grow your own food, there are some things to consider when it comes to building a raised bed.

Not all Beds Are Built Alike

I’ve seen some gorgeous garden arrangements, and I’ve seen some slapdash beds that look so unstable I worried about planting lettuce in them. Wood rot is going to happen, as is some settling, so plan for these when designing your bed. Wet soil with giant cabbages growing it in is considerably heavy, legs built from 2×4’s are going to need some bolstering.

Whether built a few feet off the ground for comfortable sitting, or built at waist height for less bending, the width of your bed should be no more than your arm’s can reach easily. Tending the garden becomes a tedious chore when it cannot be accomplished with comfort and serenity.

Raised Bed Gardening From the Ground Up

  • Use Recycled and Reclaimed Materials – Shopping local for materials which still have plenty of life in them is a cost-effective alternative to buying something which may be treated with toxic chemicals. From wood to marble, there are plenty of attractive options for the garden retreat of your dreams.
  • Use Your Resources – Building a raised bed out of discarded wooden pallets results in a bed that is solid, and attractive. Instructional videos for building different styles of raised beds out of wooden pallets are numerous on Youtube and people practically give pallets away on Craigslist.
  • Create Your Own Compost – Landfills are overfilled as it is, and your garden sure would love to devour the rest of that orange if you’re just going to toss it out. While you’re at it, toss in some coffee grounds, eggshells, lawn clippings, paper waste, and anything made of natural materials (think yellow pages and cotton t-shirts). No animal products like bones, and meat, please, this just invites flies and those are never fun.
  • Plant What You Love – Talk to the experienced growers at your local farmer’s market or community garden to find out what grows best in your region, as well as the ideal time to plant. Plant those things you love to eat, but also plant a variety of different regional favorites. Zucchini is known to be a prolific grower, for example, a few seeds go a long way.
  • Plant What’s Expensive – It’s okay to plant some exotic goodies too, especially if they cost a pretty penny at the market. You may need to put in a little extra effort in the form of shielding plants from the sun, or extreme temperature changes, but it will be well worth it when it comes time to harvest.
  • Keyhole gardens, Ultimate in Efficiency -Recently I’ve become enamored with keyhole gardens. This particular form of raised garden takes advantage of water-shortage situations by using a central composting pit for most of the hydration and nutrients for the plants growing within. The keyhole refers to the little notch in the circular garden that allows easy-access to the compost deposit. Three standard-size keyhole gardens (less than 6” in diameter) will feed a small family comfortably.
  • Or Start Small – Not quite ready for the commitment of a fully-fledged raised bed or keyhole garden? It’s okay, it takes time to develop a green thumb. Build up some confidence by planting some herbs in decorative containers. Not only do herbs smell fantastic, they also taste great in a variety of recipes and they are very forgiving plants.

Water Efficiently

It can be tempting to water your garden beds till the soil is like mud, and that’s okay for some, but it’s also a potential waste of water. In some Florida towns like Clearwater, gutters are important for collecting enough water to keep a garden. There’s nothing better than rain water for hydrating your garden. Growing your own food is not only essential for optimal health, it’s good for the environment too, since it saves from making frequent trips to the grocery store.  

Rachel Cook is a sustainable living enthusiast who loves to pitch in and volunteer her time at organic farms around Hawaii. When Rachel needs inspiration for low-cost maintenance projects that extend a home’s value while remaining eco-friendly, she browses sites like www.raincontrolaluminuminc.com.






Vegetable Gardening 101: 6 Edible Pest Repelling Herbs And Flowers

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Vegetable gardening is a hobby that many people enjoy, but the care needed to make such a garden grow healthily and pest free requires plenty of effort. It is a challenge to keep your vegetable garden free from pests, but the application of chemical control methods can create more problems. As such the only solution to a pest free and healthy garden is to apply eco-friendly pest control methods. When you invest in natural forms of pest control such as repelling flowers and herbs, you get more than your money’s worth as not only will the pests be eradicated, but you also get a more beautiful garden with the addition of these flowers. In fact many vegetable gardeners now protect their gardens naturally instead of applying dangerous pest control products which can sometimes contaminate vegetables, however, when pest infestations are severe, professionals must be consulted.

 

1. Rosemary

This herb resembles an evergreen and it can produce lavender blossoms which can help repel flies and moths. It can be placed among plants especially carrots and cabbage as it can mask the scent of these vegetables making it difficult for pests to locate them. However, not only is rosemary beneficial to a vegetable garden as a natural form of pest control, but it is also handy when it comes to cooking delicious roasts.

2. Oregano

This is an amazing addition to any type of garden because it can keep aphids, ants and flies away. You must remember that oregano is an invasive plant which can take over large areas when planted without a barrier. This is why it is essential to have this herb planted inside a can. You can cut off the top and bottom parts of a can and insert it into the ground making sure that the top is in level with the ground so that the can will act as a barrier. Just like rosemary, it is also a useful herb to have around because they can make pasta dishes more delicious.

3. Basil

In order to repel mosquitoes and flies, you can plant basil in your garden. Its white or lavender blossoms and unique scent makes it a useful companion especially for tomatoes as basil can enhance its flavor. You can also take a few in a pot and place it in the kitchen’s window to help keep flies out and so that you can easily take a few leaves whenever needed to add to your pasta, pizza and salad recipes.

4. Mint

Like oregano, mint can also spread out quickly and choke out other vegetables. It can repel ants and aphids, while the blooms can provide a subtle color to make the garden more attractive. Mint must be planted in a submerged pot, but it can also be planted as a border so you can control its growth easily.

5. Marigolds

To make sure that your entire garden is well protected, you can plant marigolds all throughout. They can repel pests including nematodes which can attack vegetable roots. You can also plant them around your garden for a bright yellow border. They must be planted in direct sunlight and in well drained soil.

6. Nasturtiums

These colored flowers can brighten up a vegetable garden and keep beetles away as well. Not only are these flowers useful in making a garden beautiful, but the blooms can also be included in salads since they are edible.

Citations:
  • Photograph by: Ricorocks.
Attached Images:
  •  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://mrg.bz/oBiBm9

Valerie Williams is a freelance writer specializing in natural forms of termite control in Santa Fe and other types of pest control in homes and gardens. She also provides information about natural pest control methods for vegetable gardens, how they affect lives and the various services of professionals that help treat severe infestations.

Tips For Composting On A Balcony

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Many people are starting to move away from using artificial fertilizers to fuel their garden. They’ve realized that they can fertilize their gardens much more cheaply by making their own compost. Homemade compost also has far more nutrients than the fertilizers normally sold at home improvement stores.

At the same time, many people have faced some challenges when making compost on their own. They have found that it is often spoiled by bugs and other vermin. Heavy rains can also ruin the quality of your compost. Fortunately, there are ways to eliminate these risks while composting: consider creating compost on one of your balconies.

Why Compost on a Balcony?

Many gardeners have started to use their balconies as a place to create compost. Many of these people live in urban areas and don’t have access to a garden to make compost in. You need to be more resourceful when you are trying to garden in the city and your balcony can be one of the best places to do it.

There are a couple of other benefits to using your balcony for composting. For example, you won’t need to worry about animals and other vermin getting into your compost pile.

What Do You Need?

You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to start composting. You can get started with the following:

  • You will need something to hold onto the waste you intend to compost with. A medium-sized garbage can will do. You will be keeping it on your balcony so a stationary bin will serve best.
  • You will need a large bin for your kitchen that you will throw your waste in before moving it to your compost bin. You will need to make sure there are some holes to keep your compost pile from retaining water and provide proper ventilation.
  • You will need some soil, but it doesn’t have to be the same quality that you normally use for plants.
  • You need worms to facilitate the composting process. You would have plenty of worms available if you were storing your compost in a garden. However, you won’t have that option when you are doing your composting on a balcony. You will need to buy a handful of worms to add to the bin. Red worms tend to work best.

What Do You Put in Your Compost?

You will be collecting organic waste and storing it in your compost bin. There are a number of different things that you can use to generate your compost, but it can include:

  • Leaves
  • Egg shells
  • Coffee grounds
  • Vegetables and fruits you didn’t eat
  • Shredded newspapers
  • Grass clippings
  • Animal waste

There are many different composting strategies you can try. Some people create specific mixtures to ensure their compost gets all the necessary nutrients. In general, you will probably want to alternate between layers of plant material and soil to ensure your compost ferments evenly. You can try a number of different strategies, but the important thing is to get started.

You will need to be a little more careful when you are composting from a balcony. Compost can give off some unpleasant odors or risk drawing bugs to your home if you don’t do it properly. You may want to reduce the odors and risk of drawing critters to your house by mixing similar levels of kitchen waste with leaves and grass clippings.

Start Your Composting Today

Your balcony can be a great place to create your own compost pile when you don’t have a garden available. You may have to wait a few weeks or even a couple of months before your compost is ready to use. However, you should have some high quality fertilizer to add to your plants after it has finished.

About the Author: Kalen is a consumer advice columnist who writes about green living for http://www.stockpkg.com/.

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