"Dirt"y Talk

manure...topsoil...compost....fertilizer...oh, wait...not what you were expecting.

That time of the year is here, yet again, my friends. Garden planning has arrived. For those looking to begin for the first time hopefully you will glean a little information on "how to get started".

Today's Key Topic: Soil Preparation 

Raised Bed Garden

Once you have decided where your garden will be, remember to have a place that has adequate drainage. You will want to "desod" (kill) the existing grass. You can scrape it with a squared off shovel, till the ground, or cover the grass with black plastic to kill it.

Now, bring in top soil. It is highly recommended to purchase soil from a garden center with top quality soil. Your local Ag center is a good resource. This eliminates soil that is too thick with clay; You want the soil to be loamy (The soil should not be clumpy or too sandy). You will want enough to fill it 1-2 inches from the top. If you purchase good quality soil, you reduce the need for supplementation. 

 *If you do need to supplement your soil, take a sample of your soil to your local Ag center to see what would be lacking.

Non-Raised Bed Garden

Again, decide where you will have your bed located (remember, adequate drainage). Once decided...till the ground. There should be no grass or weeds. Have your soil checked if possible and make sure it is loamy.  You can augment it with potassium, mushroom, compost,or dried leaves. If you choose to use any kind of manure, make sure it is completely dried.

You are now ready to begin planting!

Here are some additional resources to check out:

http://www.amazon.com/Gardeners-Supply-Company-Square-Gardening/dp/B00319MMRQ

http://www.amazon.com/Carrots-Love-Tomatoes-Companion-Successful/dp/1580170277/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331497251&sr=8-1

Location, Location, Location

Just as when you are looking for the perfect home, when you are getting ready to build your garden "location matters". Here are a few tips to help when deciding where to put your vegetation sensation.


What to look for:

* Leveled ground. A slight slope does not make a huge difference, you just do not want "A River Runs Through It" to be the theme of your garden.

* Drainage. You want to make sure that after you water your garden (or after a good soaker) there will be no puddling occurring.

* You want some good ole' vitamin D to be coming in...that's right...SUN. Make sure that your garden will get the appropriate amount of sunshine...you would like "full sun" throughout the day.

* Water Access. It is important, for you just as much as the garden, to have it near your water source. You will be out watering it everyday, make it easy on yourself.
                                                       

                                                          

Gardening Thyme - Strawberry Containers

The gardening tip of week - using strawberry (or blueberry) containers to start your seedlings. My mom and I were slicing up container after container of strawberries one night and I went to throw a whole stack of them away. Unbeknownst to me, my mother had other plans. Apparently, these little containers are perfect for making  teeny "greenhouses". Here is what I did...per my mom's instructions.

This is what I used: one container, pack of cilantro seeds, newspaper, seed starting mix

1.  Line the container with newspaper. I doubled up a layer of newspaper. Like so...

I do not know why I can't get the picture to turn

2. Put in some potting soil...about half way.

3. Add seeds. I did two rows, one seed every inch or so. (about 6 seeds) Cover up with more potting soil.

4. Water and close lid. Place in a warm dark spot. This will help seeds germinate. Once they have germinated and begin to sprout you can place them where they will get some sun. 

Happy planting everyone. Look for next Wednesdays' gardening post. There will be more gardening tips...from the expert herself, my mom. (She is seriously the garden GURU)