The last weekend in February, and I'm looking at seed catalogs and gardening magazines! The first day of spring is 21 days away, but I can get a head start on my summer garden, even in fickle Colorado, with a couple of easy steps.
First I'm going to take stock in the state of my trees and shrubbery. We haven't had any BIG or heavy snows (comparatively), but I know there's some winter 'kill' out there that should be attended to while they are still dormant. This will reduce the chances of disease and bugs from entering the cuts. We're supposed to have sixty degree weather this week, so it should be a perfect time to stroll around the yard and do some trimming.
The second thing that I'm going to do is that while I'm walking in the garden, I'll be wearing Lawn Aerator Shoesto aerate the lawn. These will help air and moisture get to the roots of the grass for a good head start on the growing season.
The third thing I'm going to do this month is check the soil in my garden and designate an area where I can sow some cool-season vegetable seeds. As soon as the soil can be worked I'm going to toss down some spinach, lettuce and Swiss chard seeds right into the garden. Peas and radishes can also be sown at this time, as all these plants will survive frost and flourish in chilly weather. And since my soil has so much clay, even though I've been amending my garden soil with compost for years, I may opt for sowing these vegie seeds in my raised garden bed. Another option for those of you out there who do not have raised beds is growing spring crops in large containers. Salad days, here we come!
Showing posts with label soil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label soil. Show all posts
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday, September 12, 2010
The Benefits of Nurturing Your Soil
Nuturing your soil by adding organic matter is the number one foundation of gardening the organic way. Adding organic nutrients to the soil simulates what happens naturally. One of the best ways to provide organic nutrients to the soil is by adding mature compost.
This critical step to growing food organically by maintaining a supply of nutrients ready for your plants to take up as they need them is easy to do with a tumbling composter. Just add your organic kitchen scraps, yard refuse and BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost to your tumbling composter, give it a turn or two and plan where you'll be using the wonderful, rich compost that will result. Using organic compost, your plants will grow healthy and vigorously, which helps prevent attacks of pest and disease. You will also enjoy larger yields and quicker growing times.
Some of the other benefits from nurturing your soil with organic compost include:
1. It will improve the ability of your soil to retain moisture
2. Compost releases nutrients evenly and slowly
3. Your soil's microbiological activity will increase
4. Improved conditions and structure of your soil will mean a better environment for earthworms and healthy micro-organisms
5. It helps dispose of your organic waste
6. It reduces the loads on landfills
7. Composting will also reduce your water consumption
A tumbling composter will provide you with the above benefits and a continual supply of organic compost with which you can nurture your soil and plants. It's easy, healthful and cost effective, too. Stop by www.BestComposters.com and pick out a composter that will fit your budget and your gardening needs! Happy Composting!
This critical step to growing food organically by maintaining a supply of nutrients ready for your plants to take up as they need them is easy to do with a tumbling composter. Just add your organic kitchen scraps, yard refuse and BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost to your tumbling composter, give it a turn or two and plan where you'll be using the wonderful, rich compost that will result. Using organic compost, your plants will grow healthy and vigorously, which helps prevent attacks of pest and disease. You will also enjoy larger yields and quicker growing times.
Some of the other benefits from nurturing your soil with organic compost include:
1. It will improve the ability of your soil to retain moisture
2. Compost releases nutrients evenly and slowly
3. Your soil's microbiological activity will increase
4. Improved conditions and structure of your soil will mean a better environment for earthworms and healthy micro-organisms
5. It helps dispose of your organic waste
6. It reduces the loads on landfills
7. Composting will also reduce your water consumption
A tumbling composter will provide you with the above benefits and a continual supply of organic compost with which you can nurture your soil and plants. It's easy, healthful and cost effective, too. Stop by www.BestComposters.com and pick out a composter that will fit your budget and your gardening needs! Happy Composting!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Container Gardening
With times as they are in this economy, having vegetables and herbs grown at home can really stretch a budget. I’ve been spending a lot less at the grocery this summer with the produce from my garden as a supplement. We’re fortunate to have room in our yard to have a sizable garden, but you can grow your own fresh organic vegetables in containers very easily.
I like to set up a drip irrigation system for my container garden, ala my husband, since plants do much better if they are on a set watering schedule. We feed them regularly, as well, and nip off dead or yellowed leaves. I recommend tomatoes in sunny locations, whether upright or hanging ones. There are so many different types of tomatoes you can choose from, too, and a plethora of recipes that can accommodate this versatile veggie.
Some of the benefits to container gardening, aside from the fresh produce are:
- bugs and slugs are virtually non-problematic
- weeds are usually not a problem either
- you can have as many as you can fit or as few as you want to deal with
- almost anything can be used as a planting container, as long as it holds soil and has adequate drainage
- potting soil can be used with confidence, since they have the proper pH balance
- containers can be brought indoors when the weather turns cold so you can prolong your growing season
- container gardening beautifies your patio, porch or balcony with color and foliage
- even small, tight spaces like as window sills and steps can be utilized to grow herbs
- they love the compost that you've, hopefully, been making!
Happy Composting!
I like to set up a drip irrigation system for my container garden, ala my husband, since plants do much better if they are on a set watering schedule. We feed them regularly, as well, and nip off dead or yellowed leaves. I recommend tomatoes in sunny locations, whether upright or hanging ones. There are so many different types of tomatoes you can choose from, too, and a plethora of recipes that can accommodate this versatile veggie.
Some of the benefits to container gardening, aside from the fresh produce are:
- bugs and slugs are virtually non-problematic
- weeds are usually not a problem either
- you can have as many as you can fit or as few as you want to deal with
- almost anything can be used as a planting container, as long as it holds soil and has adequate drainage
- potting soil can be used with confidence, since they have the proper pH balance
- containers can be brought indoors when the weather turns cold so you can prolong your growing season
- container gardening beautifies your patio, porch or balcony with color and foliage
- even small, tight spaces like as window sills and steps can be utilized to grow herbs
- they love the compost that you've, hopefully, been making!
Happy Composting!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Keeping a Gardening Journal
Successful organic vegetable gardening doesn't happen by accident. The three "P's" are essential to the process: planning, preparation and persistence.
You will enjoy higher yields and better results over the years by paying attention and keeping track of what works and what doesn't work in your garden. It's one of the things I love about organic gardening - it's a continual learning process. Some of the success in your garden depends on factors outside our control, like the date of the last frost, how much or little rain falls, extreme weather, temperatures and infestations. Yes, and a certain amount of luck. But we can do a little research to find out what grows successfully in our region, and so control what we plant. We can also have a lot of impact on the quality of our soil by testing and amending it, or by using raised beds and pots.
A vital element of organic gardening is maintaining a good supply of nutrients for your plants to take up as they need them. We provide nutrients organically to the soil by adding compost, mulch, green manure cover crops, mature or well composted animal manures, or mixed organic fertilizer. In this way, your vegetables will grow robustly, which will help deter pests and diseases. And having healthy plants will also provide you with bigger yields and faster maturing plants.
When you have a list of plants that typically do well in your region and growing season, and have tested and amended your soil to provide those plants with the nutrients they need, I suggest keeping that information in a gardening journal. Record what you plant, where in the garden it's planted, when and how. Add an entry whenever you need to in order to record what's happening in the garden. Next year refer back to that journal and see what worked, what didn't, and hopefully, why.
Happy Composting!
You will enjoy higher yields and better results over the years by paying attention and keeping track of what works and what doesn't work in your garden. It's one of the things I love about organic gardening - it's a continual learning process. Some of the success in your garden depends on factors outside our control, like the date of the last frost, how much or little rain falls, extreme weather, temperatures and infestations. Yes, and a certain amount of luck. But we can do a little research to find out what grows successfully in our region, and so control what we plant. We can also have a lot of impact on the quality of our soil by testing and amending it, or by using raised beds and pots.
A vital element of organic gardening is maintaining a good supply of nutrients for your plants to take up as they need them. We provide nutrients organically to the soil by adding compost, mulch, green manure cover crops, mature or well composted animal manures, or mixed organic fertilizer. In this way, your vegetables will grow robustly, which will help deter pests and diseases. And having healthy plants will also provide you with bigger yields and faster maturing plants.
When you have a list of plants that typically do well in your region and growing season, and have tested and amended your soil to provide those plants with the nutrients they need, I suggest keeping that information in a gardening journal. Record what you plant, where in the garden it's planted, when and how. Add an entry whenever you need to in order to record what's happening in the garden. Next year refer back to that journal and see what worked, what didn't, and hopefully, why.
Happy Composting!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Springtime Rant in the Garden
This time of year is so exciting with all the new growth going on in my garden! I enjoy checking it every day - ok, sometimes two or three times a day - to watch for the first leaves of the beet plants, see how the peas are almost tall enough to start reaching for the bean poles set out for them to climb, and the flowers as they appear on the tomato plants. Glorious birth!
I can really tell a difference this year in the growth and health of my garden vegetables with the addition of home grown organic compost. It ‘s my hope to have a bumper crop this year, and I plan on filling my freezer with produce. I've also started to think about whom else might benefit from the abundance I've planned for. The article in yesterday's Denver Post about school children in Denver who are learning about where food comes from made me think about how many families could benefit if every school had a vegetable garden. So many kids would be empowered with the knowledge of how to feed themselves and their families, as well as the nutritional benefits that they would reap with their harvests. Surely someone at each school could find the time to sponsor a garden; if not a teacher, then a parent, volunteer from the neighborhood or an employee of nearby nursery. I’d like to donate my time to teaching students how to compost and it’s various uses in a garden. Some schools might even find themselves being able to donate their garden produce to food banks and co-ops. With good weather, and the good soil that I’ve laid down this year, that’s what I plan to do!
Maybe we need a grass roots movement to contact school districts and request that space be made available at each school for a classroom garden, rather than the lawns that most schools have surrounding their facilities. Oh, how my mind does travel along a meandering pathway at times, leading me to consider ideas and dreams that crop up along the way!
And speaking of composting, I’d better get the latest batch of kitchen scraps into the composter, and put on my to-do list to shred some cardboard to mix in as well. After all, can one have too much compost?
Happy Composting!
I can really tell a difference this year in the growth and health of my garden vegetables with the addition of home grown organic compost. It ‘s my hope to have a bumper crop this year, and I plan on filling my freezer with produce. I've also started to think about whom else might benefit from the abundance I've planned for. The article in yesterday's Denver Post about school children in Denver who are learning about where food comes from made me think about how many families could benefit if every school had a vegetable garden. So many kids would be empowered with the knowledge of how to feed themselves and their families, as well as the nutritional benefits that they would reap with their harvests. Surely someone at each school could find the time to sponsor a garden; if not a teacher, then a parent, volunteer from the neighborhood or an employee of nearby nursery. I’d like to donate my time to teaching students how to compost and it’s various uses in a garden. Some schools might even find themselves being able to donate their garden produce to food banks and co-ops. With good weather, and the good soil that I’ve laid down this year, that’s what I plan to do!
Maybe we need a grass roots movement to contact school districts and request that space be made available at each school for a classroom garden, rather than the lawns that most schools have surrounding their facilities. Oh, how my mind does travel along a meandering pathway at times, leading me to consider ideas and dreams that crop up along the way!
And speaking of composting, I’d better get the latest batch of kitchen scraps into the composter, and put on my to-do list to shred some cardboard to mix in as well. After all, can one have too much compost?
Happy Composting!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
How to Start a Square Foot Garden
I've seen lots of articles lately on square foot gardening. It's exciting, all the interest in gardening there seems to be in the media these days, from potato boxes to roof gardens to hanging tomato planters. But one of the things I love about gardening is basic...good soil! So make sure you start with that. If you're fortunate enough to have decent soil in a yard, you can start with that. If you lack decent starter soil, you'll need to purchase vermiculite and top soil from your local garden center or hardware store. To your soil, add organic compost, about 1/2 compost, and 1/4 vermiculite, 1/4 top soil. Please make the compost yourself with your kitchen scraps, cardboard, shredded newspaper, coffee grounds, grass clippings, etc. The easiest way is in a tumbling composter, but you can also put toether a bin with fencing, cinderblock, an old barrel or anything that will provide plenty of air circulation! Be prepared for pests if your compost is not enclosed, though.
Next visit your local hardware store (again) for lumber to make each of the however many you want to build 4-foot-square boxes that will hold the garden. If using multiples, make sure to leave room in between them for walkways.
Once you've filled the box(es) with your good soil mixture, place a grid on top of each box to make 1-foot-square sections. You can use string for this, or dowel rods...you get the idea.
Next, the planting. Plant each 1-foot-square section with one variety of plant, like 1 tomato plant, or 9 spinach plants, 1 squash. Once each plant is harvested, you can add more compost and plant another kind of plant in their place for another harvest. Yum!
Happy Composting!
Next visit your local hardware store (again) for lumber to make each of the however many you want to build 4-foot-square boxes that will hold the garden. If using multiples, make sure to leave room in between them for walkways.
Once you've filled the box(es) with your good soil mixture, place a grid on top of each box to make 1-foot-square sections. You can use string for this, or dowel rods...you get the idea.
Next, the planting. Plant each 1-foot-square section with one variety of plant, like 1 tomato plant, or 9 spinach plants, 1 squash. Once each plant is harvested, you can add more compost and plant another kind of plant in their place for another harvest. Yum!
Happy Composting!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Planter Box Gardening for Less
Well, we finally got it done, in spite of all the weird weather we’ve had! Our garden is planted!! My husband got the new planter box made, we got our plants and seeds assembled and got them all planted. Whew, what a relief!
The planter box was a big thing, even though there is a lot more area to plant in the ‘in ground’ garden. We are experimenting with the box. We’d gone back and forth for a couple of weeks trying to decide how best to fill that planter box. We knew we were going to use a good quantity of our organic home made compost, straight from our tumbling composter. But what other medium? Top soil was my initial plan…shopping at our local hardware store had me doing the math. The planter box is 12’ x 3’ and 16” deep…a lot of box to fill. That’s some 500 cubic feet of top soil needed, at $2.50 per cubic feet equals $1,250. Even if we mixed the top soil with compost 50-50, we’d be buying $625 worth of top soil. Then I ran across an article about hay bale gardening. This gardener takes hay bales, dowses them with nitrogen (fertilizer), digs a whole in the center and fills it with soil and plants. Sounded intriguing, so I talked with hubby. And he had his own idea. This is what we did: Two bales each of straw and alfalfa, run through a chipper to break it up and mix it well - $32. Into the planter it went, with two gallons of BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost and warm water – under $5. Mix garden soil excess that we had from last year, that wonderful black compost and a little perlite, add to holes dug down into the alfalfa and straw mix and plant. The BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost has already started the decomposition process, heating up the mix and starting to turn it into more compost. Hubby and I are both excited to see what results we’ll have in our new planter box. It was big enough to fit three tomato plants, six broccoli, and 16 onions, for under $100 inside the planter. We won't talk about the redwood lumber that went into building the thing, but it sure is pretty!
By the way, readers remembering the blog about our newspaper planter pots will be interested to know that the single half sheet of newspaper held up just great! I ended up peeling it off of the lettuces very easily when it was wet. The spinach and broccoli seeds planted in them germinated; however, they did not get very big. Next year we’ll get some real grow lights to start them under, and maybe get an earlier start….like February?!?
The planter box was a big thing, even though there is a lot more area to plant in the ‘in ground’ garden. We are experimenting with the box. We’d gone back and forth for a couple of weeks trying to decide how best to fill that planter box. We knew we were going to use a good quantity of our organic home made compost, straight from our tumbling composter. But what other medium? Top soil was my initial plan…shopping at our local hardware store had me doing the math. The planter box is 12’ x 3’ and 16” deep…a lot of box to fill. That’s some 500 cubic feet of top soil needed, at $2.50 per cubic feet equals $1,250. Even if we mixed the top soil with compost 50-50, we’d be buying $625 worth of top soil. Then I ran across an article about hay bale gardening. This gardener takes hay bales, dowses them with nitrogen (fertilizer), digs a whole in the center and fills it with soil and plants. Sounded intriguing, so I talked with hubby. And he had his own idea. This is what we did: Two bales each of straw and alfalfa, run through a chipper to break it up and mix it well - $32. Into the planter it went, with two gallons of BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost and warm water – under $5. Mix garden soil excess that we had from last year, that wonderful black compost and a little perlite, add to holes dug down into the alfalfa and straw mix and plant. The BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost has already started the decomposition process, heating up the mix and starting to turn it into more compost. Hubby and I are both excited to see what results we’ll have in our new planter box. It was big enough to fit three tomato plants, six broccoli, and 16 onions, for under $100 inside the planter. We won't talk about the redwood lumber that went into building the thing, but it sure is pretty!
By the way, readers remembering the blog about our newspaper planter pots will be interested to know that the single half sheet of newspaper held up just great! I ended up peeling it off of the lettuces very easily when it was wet. The spinach and broccoli seeds planted in them germinated; however, they did not get very big. Next year we’ll get some real grow lights to start them under, and maybe get an earlier start….like February?!?
Monday, May 10, 2010
How to Plant a Vegetable Garden If You Never Have Before
Growing your own vegetables has regained it's popularity, as evidenced by seed packets virtually flying off shelves at our local stores. This renewed interest is not without merit, since your own garden can significantly cut your grocery expenses, help you eat healthier, is a stress reliver, and the food is just plain yummy! So how does one get started?
First step is to plan where you're going to set up your garden. The best spot is one that gets good morning sunshine. Ideally, you'll also want a spot that will be somewhat protected from the elements and allows for good runoff of excess water.
Next step is preparing the soil. Check the soil for it's pH level, which ideally should be 6.5. Your local hardware/garden center will have usually have test kits available, and from there it is a simple matter of following the directions. Adding home grown compost will provide your vegetables with the best nutrients available, without chemicals to muck things up.
Now that you know your soil will provide the proper nutrients, it's time to get your hands dirty! This is the first lesson that my dad taught me about gardening. Every spring we'd take our shovels and turn the soil over, digging down to about 12 inches. This allowed for the removal of weeds at the same time, since their roots will be loosened from their grip on the soil.
Finally, chosing what vegetables to grow will be somewhat dependent on what region of the country you live in. For beginners, I recommend seeking out a reputable garden center and getting advise and seedlings from them. We grew some vegetables from seed this year, and while it's more cost efficient to grow your vegies from seeds, it is labor intensive. You must ensure the proper amounts of light and water, and the right medium to plant in. So, beginner, have your garden center helper guide you in chosing healthy seedlings that will thrive in your area.
With good compost, planning and initial investment of time and the cost of seedlings, your garden should provide you with luscious fresh and nutritious vegetables with very little maintenance. It's awesome being able to stroll out into the yard and pick from your garden what you want to eat that day!
Happy Composting!
First step is to plan where you're going to set up your garden. The best spot is one that gets good morning sunshine. Ideally, you'll also want a spot that will be somewhat protected from the elements and allows for good runoff of excess water.
Next step is preparing the soil. Check the soil for it's pH level, which ideally should be 6.5. Your local hardware/garden center will have usually have test kits available, and from there it is a simple matter of following the directions. Adding home grown compost will provide your vegetables with the best nutrients available, without chemicals to muck things up.
Now that you know your soil will provide the proper nutrients, it's time to get your hands dirty! This is the first lesson that my dad taught me about gardening. Every spring we'd take our shovels and turn the soil over, digging down to about 12 inches. This allowed for the removal of weeds at the same time, since their roots will be loosened from their grip on the soil.
Finally, chosing what vegetables to grow will be somewhat dependent on what region of the country you live in. For beginners, I recommend seeking out a reputable garden center and getting advise and seedlings from them. We grew some vegetables from seed this year, and while it's more cost efficient to grow your vegies from seeds, it is labor intensive. You must ensure the proper amounts of light and water, and the right medium to plant in. So, beginner, have your garden center helper guide you in chosing healthy seedlings that will thrive in your area.
With good compost, planning and initial investment of time and the cost of seedlings, your garden should provide you with luscious fresh and nutritious vegetables with very little maintenance. It's awesome being able to stroll out into the yard and pick from your garden what you want to eat that day!
Happy Composting!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
The Facts on Waste
You may be astounded, like I was, to find that approximately 3 thousand TONS of garbage are added to our landfills each year! The EPA further estimates that almost a ton of waste is generated by each person in the US each year, and that 70% of that can be recycled and composted. That's a heck of a lot of what could be wonderful soil amendment that's instead getting added to the landfill each year!
I know that it's easier to throw it out than to compost it, but the benefits, to me, far outweigh the drawbacks. After all, nobody wants a landfill in their neighborhood; the smell, pests, the eye sore, decreasing property values, etc. And most of us these days are fairly good at conserving our water resources, but don't realize that about 3 gallons of water is used each time we run the garbage disposal to grind up kitchen waste. Instead of building better bigger landfills and wasting precious water, we could be making our own compost that will provide our gardens and lawn with a valuable boost of natural fertilizer. We can also be sharing this activity with the next generation, spending time with the children in our lives and teaching them how to better care for our world and ourselves.
Composting can be accomplished many different ways. My grandparents had a pile next to their garden that they added to each day. I don't remember them every turning it, so it may have taken quite a while to break down. A three sided apparatus can be put together with almost any materials: cinderblocks, old pallets, cyclone fencing, almost anything that you can build with can be used to build an area for compost. It just needs to allow for air circulation and a surface to keep things together. This method is inexpensive, but you'll need to put your back and arms into it, turning it over with a pitchfork or a compost 'tiller'. You'll almost most likely be dealing with pests...the kind that like decomposing food. Ick! Finally there are bins commericially available that can be sealed up pretty tight to keep pests out, but there would still be the issue of having to manually turn it at least once a week.
Or you can splurge a little and get yourself and your family a tumbling composter. www.BestComposters.com has a selection of the finest tumbling composters available anywhere. An easy turn of a handle and you’re providing your compost with the aeration that it needs to keep all those wonderful organisms happy and heated up. You'll be helping reduce the amount of trash added to landfills, reducing the water consumption and waste, and making some great soil amendment that will help your garden and lawn prosper! Come on in and order yours today!
I know that it's easier to throw it out than to compost it, but the benefits, to me, far outweigh the drawbacks. After all, nobody wants a landfill in their neighborhood; the smell, pests, the eye sore, decreasing property values, etc. And most of us these days are fairly good at conserving our water resources, but don't realize that about 3 gallons of water is used each time we run the garbage disposal to grind up kitchen waste. Instead of building better bigger landfills and wasting precious water, we could be making our own compost that will provide our gardens and lawn with a valuable boost of natural fertilizer. We can also be sharing this activity with the next generation, spending time with the children in our lives and teaching them how to better care for our world and ourselves.
Composting can be accomplished many different ways. My grandparents had a pile next to their garden that they added to each day. I don't remember them every turning it, so it may have taken quite a while to break down. A three sided apparatus can be put together with almost any materials: cinderblocks, old pallets, cyclone fencing, almost anything that you can build with can be used to build an area for compost. It just needs to allow for air circulation and a surface to keep things together. This method is inexpensive, but you'll need to put your back and arms into it, turning it over with a pitchfork or a compost 'tiller'. You'll almost most likely be dealing with pests...the kind that like decomposing food. Ick! Finally there are bins commericially available that can be sealed up pretty tight to keep pests out, but there would still be the issue of having to manually turn it at least once a week.
Or you can splurge a little and get yourself and your family a tumbling composter. www.BestComposters.com has a selection of the finest tumbling composters available anywhere. An easy turn of a handle and you’re providing your compost with the aeration that it needs to keep all those wonderful organisms happy and heated up. You'll be helping reduce the amount of trash added to landfills, reducing the water consumption and waste, and making some great soil amendment that will help your garden and lawn prosper! Come on in and order yours today!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
More Garden to Love
I am awfully glad that we have used our tumbling composter all winter long, as well as a static compost heap to which we've added BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost. What this means is that we have a great supply of garden ready 100% organic compost! We really need all the compost we've made because we are adding to our garden. Out in front of my house will be a garden bed that'll be 4' x 3', and then a larger raised bed in back that'll be 12' x 4' and 16" deep. And I almost forgot the Garbage Can for Potatoes that we'll need to fill as well. So I'm sure that we will use all of our compost just getting those two gardens and garbage can filled with top soil and compost.
Our tumbling composter made composting super easy with it's turn handle and sliding door for adding materials. I make sure that I cut up my kitchen scraps into one inch size pieces...the more sides that can start decomposing the faster the process will be. We add to our kitchen scraps the leaves that were gathered from last fall that we've stored, along with shredded cardboard, a handful of garden soil to add microorganisms and coffee that our local coffee shop has given to us. Giving the tumbler a turn every day or so keeps the air circulating and the microorganisms happy. We check to make sure that the moisture content inside the tumbler is ideal...a handful should feel like a squeezed out sponge...damp but not dripping.
Throughout the fall and winter, as we continued to add composting materials to our tumbler and static heap, I occasionally would wonder what we would do with all the compost that I knew we were making! It seemed like an enormous amount of materials. But as the BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost and microorganisms worked their magic, the materials turned into more compact, rich brown soil-like compost. And the compost itself isn't the only benefit: both my husband and I were pleased at the amount of water we were saving by not running the garbage disposal. We really saw a difference in our last water bill. But now that I think of all the garden that needs the rich nutrients that our compost will deliver, I'm doubly glad that we've made all that compost. I don't think we'll have any to spare for neighbors without composters or compost piles, but I have a feeling we'll have vegetables to share!
Happy Composting!
Our tumbling composter made composting super easy with it's turn handle and sliding door for adding materials. I make sure that I cut up my kitchen scraps into one inch size pieces...the more sides that can start decomposing the faster the process will be. We add to our kitchen scraps the leaves that were gathered from last fall that we've stored, along with shredded cardboard, a handful of garden soil to add microorganisms and coffee that our local coffee shop has given to us. Giving the tumbler a turn every day or so keeps the air circulating and the microorganisms happy. We check to make sure that the moisture content inside the tumbler is ideal...a handful should feel like a squeezed out sponge...damp but not dripping.
Throughout the fall and winter, as we continued to add composting materials to our tumbler and static heap, I occasionally would wonder what we would do with all the compost that I knew we were making! It seemed like an enormous amount of materials. But as the BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost and microorganisms worked their magic, the materials turned into more compact, rich brown soil-like compost. And the compost itself isn't the only benefit: both my husband and I were pleased at the amount of water we were saving by not running the garbage disposal. We really saw a difference in our last water bill. But now that I think of all the garden that needs the rich nutrients that our compost will deliver, I'm doubly glad that we've made all that compost. I don't think we'll have any to spare for neighbors without composters or compost piles, but I have a feeling we'll have vegetables to share!
Happy Composting!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Growing Potatoes in Containers
You may remember, or you may need to check back in the archives for a January blog of mine about growing potatoes in a garbage can. In that blog, I talked about how I loved the idea of growing my own potatoes without having to dedicate so much of my garden space to it. Growing potatoes in a garbage can solved the issue of space requirements, and also watering issues, since hubby is going to place the can under one of our hanging tomato plants that he's set up with a drip system! Clever, isn't he?
So I went out and got a new garbage can for my trash and am ready to drill air holes in the sides of the old garbage can (AFTER I clean it thorougly with BiOWiSH™ Bin Wash. That 100% organic cleaner will remove all the odors and odor causing bacteria from my old trash can so that I can start this grow with a nice clean can.) But then I read an article in my Friday, April 9, 2010 The Denver Post Grow insert called "Potato box yields scads of spuds" and it gave me pause. It seems that this fella, Greg Lutovsky, out of eastern Washington state has developed this 4 foot square spud box that can provide a really impressive yield of potatoes! Mr. Lutovsky lists five steps to succes in this process:
1. Select late-season potatoes. My hubby says this is vitally important because short-season potato varieties produce a limited amount of potatoes and then the plant dies off.
2. Plant in multiple layers; like lasagna, put in a layer of soil, a layer potatoes and additional side panels as the vines grow a foot above the soil level, making sure to leave at least 2/3 of the vine above the new layer of soil.
3. Wind a soaker hose through each successive layer of soil and taters so all layers of roots get even moisture.
4. Provide the potatoes with a medium of loose soil, like compost mixed with potting soil.
5. Don't overfertilize! He recommends a 5-10-10 fertilizer instead of a standard plant food. I think I'll stick to my organic compost that I make in our tumbling composter that our website offers, so that the potato plants will be continuously nourished by the compost.
This all sounds like simple, sound advice. And frankly, harvesting the vegies sounds like a walk in the park! The only trouble is that we'd already planned on a garden addition this spring, adding a raised garden in our backyard so that: a) we have more space to grow vegies and b) we have less lawn to mow (!). This addition will entail a trip to the hardware store for wood, funds for the wood, time planning out where exactly to put it in our yard and how to build it, laying down newspaper over the grass to keep it from growing into the planter and filling it with compost and soil. This is a large enough investment of time and money to have me putting the Potato Box on hold until next year. So if you're interested in growing your own potatoes with a limited amount of space and effort harvesting, and you like woodcrafting, Google "Build a Potato Box" or check out the diagram available on lifehacker.com.
So I went out and got a new garbage can for my trash and am ready to drill air holes in the sides of the old garbage can (AFTER I clean it thorougly with BiOWiSH™ Bin Wash. That 100% organic cleaner will remove all the odors and odor causing bacteria from my old trash can so that I can start this grow with a nice clean can.) But then I read an article in my Friday, April 9, 2010 The Denver Post Grow insert called "Potato box yields scads of spuds" and it gave me pause. It seems that this fella, Greg Lutovsky, out of eastern Washington state has developed this 4 foot square spud box that can provide a really impressive yield of potatoes! Mr. Lutovsky lists five steps to succes in this process:
1. Select late-season potatoes. My hubby says this is vitally important because short-season potato varieties produce a limited amount of potatoes and then the plant dies off.
2. Plant in multiple layers; like lasagna, put in a layer of soil, a layer potatoes and additional side panels as the vines grow a foot above the soil level, making sure to leave at least 2/3 of the vine above the new layer of soil.
3. Wind a soaker hose through each successive layer of soil and taters so all layers of roots get even moisture.
4. Provide the potatoes with a medium of loose soil, like compost mixed with potting soil.
5. Don't overfertilize! He recommends a 5-10-10 fertilizer instead of a standard plant food. I think I'll stick to my organic compost that I make in our tumbling composter that our website offers, so that the potato plants will be continuously nourished by the compost.
This all sounds like simple, sound advice. And frankly, harvesting the vegies sounds like a walk in the park! The only trouble is that we'd already planned on a garden addition this spring, adding a raised garden in our backyard so that: a) we have more space to grow vegies and b) we have less lawn to mow (!). This addition will entail a trip to the hardware store for wood, funds for the wood, time planning out where exactly to put it in our yard and how to build it, laying down newspaper over the grass to keep it from growing into the planter and filling it with compost and soil. This is a large enough investment of time and money to have me putting the Potato Box on hold until next year. So if you're interested in growing your own potatoes with a limited amount of space and effort harvesting, and you like woodcrafting, Google "Build a Potato Box" or check out the diagram available on lifehacker.com.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Getting Started
Gardening is a lesson in self-sufficiency that can begin in early childhood. I had always helped my dad with the Spring planting in our backyard garden. Even though it wasn't extensive, the care of plants helped me understand about nurturing. Dad taught me that if you are careful when the new life begins, and provide the necessary elements of water, sun and nutrient soil your efforts will pay off in beautiful blossoms all summer long. We also grew rhubarb, which I was in charge of harvesting by the time I had lost my first baby tooth. Mother would remove the leaves, wash it, and cut it into one inch pieces. I helped. Then she'd boil it for what seemed like hours until it had the consistency of a watery applesauce. Then the frozen chunk of strawberries would enter the pot, to be boiled down to reduce the liquid. When the sauce had thickened, it would come off the stovetop and I would be in charge of adding the sugar and mixing it in. Of course this also meant that I was the taste tester! Seems like we always had a container of rhubarb sauce in our refrigerator in the summer.
When my folks moved from their single family home to a townhome, my dad sorely missed his garden. He found out that there were plots available at a community garden in our area. He got himself a plot and began his experiment with growing vegetables seriously. I was at college by then and didn't help with the soil preparation or planting. I don't remember if he had seeds that he started inside, or store bought plants. But I do remember that he loved to spend time in his garden, watching over and nurturing the plants, visiting with fellow gardeners, and then harvesting the bounty. Neighbors all around benefited from his garden, since he'd planted way more than he and mom could consume. Mom was never that domestic, so there wasn't a thought given to preserving the crops. Just like his folks had, he and mom enjoyed gathering their fresh picked vegies and cooking them up the same day!
Community gardens are a great opportunity to meet fellow enthusiasts, learn new techniques and get your gardening fix. The produce you grow can feed your family, and if you're not into preserving the excess, it often can be donated to local food banks to provide for those in need. Get some kids involved in your gardening. Help them learn about the soil, the elements required for growing plants, nurturing, how eating right can make you feel better, and different waysto care for others.
Happy Composting!
When my folks moved from their single family home to a townhome, my dad sorely missed his garden. He found out that there were plots available at a community garden in our area. He got himself a plot and began his experiment with growing vegetables seriously. I was at college by then and didn't help with the soil preparation or planting. I don't remember if he had seeds that he started inside, or store bought plants. But I do remember that he loved to spend time in his garden, watching over and nurturing the plants, visiting with fellow gardeners, and then harvesting the bounty. Neighbors all around benefited from his garden, since he'd planted way more than he and mom could consume. Mom was never that domestic, so there wasn't a thought given to preserving the crops. Just like his folks had, he and mom enjoyed gathering their fresh picked vegies and cooking them up the same day!
Community gardens are a great opportunity to meet fellow enthusiasts, learn new techniques and get your gardening fix. The produce you grow can feed your family, and if you're not into preserving the excess, it often can be donated to local food banks to provide for those in need. Get some kids involved in your gardening. Help them learn about the soil, the elements required for growing plants, nurturing, how eating right can make you feel better, and different waysto care for others.
Happy Composting!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Experimenting in the Garden World
Here it is, the last day of March, and my seedlings experiment has been very successful! The newspaper 'pots' have held up without any degradation or structural problems, and the seedlings themselves are just so darn cute! I'm particularly fond of the lettuces. Raise your hand if you've ever purchased and eaten baby greens. That's kind of how I feel about the baby lettuces...yummy looking! The spinach are hanging in there as well, and I think that both are ready for regular dosing of BiOWiSH™ to determine what difference it will make on the growth of the plants. I've got five seedlings, so I'll start dosing two (one lettuce and one spinach) and leave the other three plants as my test group. I'll keep you posted on the changes and differences I see. I'll even post pictures!
It's always tempting at this time of year to jump the gun and start full scale planting outside. The weather here along the front range of the Rockies has been spectacular this week. Ok, ok, so we had a little snow last Wednesday. But this last weekend and up until today have been picturesque, so I've been thinking more and more about getting out into the garden. Last weekend I started digging a new area in front of the house along side the driveway. I plan a 3 x 3 foot garden there for zucchini. A neighbor had a front yard planting last year that I always thought so attractive when I'd drive by, that I decided to utilize some of that 'dead' space next to my drive for food! It's unconditioned soil, so I'm going to be adding in a good amount of 100% organic, home grown compost...I'll try to hold out until at least April 16th! Goodness knows we get our share of late frosts and spring snows.
Speaking of adding garden space, I've got a question for you woodworking hobbyists out there. I was planning an addition of a raised bed, maybe 4 or 5 x 3 foot in diameter and two to three feet tall. My husband fantasizes about using recycled plastic boards and specially designed and manufactured corner pieces to hold the walled sides together...to the tune of about $200-$400!! Me, I'm more of a "let's see what we have lying around in our garage that we can put together for our purposes" kinda gal. I know that compromise is important, so in that spirit of compromise, any of you have some ideas about how to put together a low cost, functioning raised garden? A free Six (6) month supply of BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost to the best designer of a low cost raised bed garden!
Happy Composting!
It's always tempting at this time of year to jump the gun and start full scale planting outside. The weather here along the front range of the Rockies has been spectacular this week. Ok, ok, so we had a little snow last Wednesday. But this last weekend and up until today have been picturesque, so I've been thinking more and more about getting out into the garden. Last weekend I started digging a new area in front of the house along side the driveway. I plan a 3 x 3 foot garden there for zucchini. A neighbor had a front yard planting last year that I always thought so attractive when I'd drive by, that I decided to utilize some of that 'dead' space next to my drive for food! It's unconditioned soil, so I'm going to be adding in a good amount of 100% organic, home grown compost...I'll try to hold out until at least April 16th! Goodness knows we get our share of late frosts and spring snows.
Speaking of adding garden space, I've got a question for you woodworking hobbyists out there. I was planning an addition of a raised bed, maybe 4 or 5 x 3 foot in diameter and two to three feet tall. My husband fantasizes about using recycled plastic boards and specially designed and manufactured corner pieces to hold the walled sides together...to the tune of about $200-$400!! Me, I'm more of a "let's see what we have lying around in our garage that we can put together for our purposes" kinda gal. I know that compromise is important, so in that spirit of compromise, any of you have some ideas about how to put together a low cost, functioning raised garden? A free Six (6) month supply of BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost to the best designer of a low cost raised bed garden!
Happy Composting!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Seedling Update Deux
This is week three of the trial - changing how we made the seedling pots from the suggested method on the video (see blog dated February 28th "Making Seedling Pots from Newspaper", and wanting to see if and how well they might hold up after being filled with potting soil (yes! Potting soil!) and compost.
We also want to test out using potting soil instead of a medium made specifically for starting seeds. In the Denver Post article, SEEDS in the Saturday, March 13, 2010 edition of Inside & Out, author Susan Clotfelter insists that seeds need to be started in 'soiless seed-starting medium' or they will experience 'seedling flop'. This is otherwise known as dampening off, which causes the seedlings to fail after sprouting due to fungus in the soil. We're going to try very low dose applications of BiOWiSH™ Aqua as an 100% natural, organic and safe anti-fungal to test whether that will prevent 'seedling flop' in our seeds started in potting soild and compost.
There are now four out of four lettuce seeds that have sprouted, and two of the four spinach seeds. The pots seem to be holding up just fine, and I was outside today in the glorious Colorado afternoon sun mixing in our home grown, 100% organic compost into our garden soil to prepare for planting. We're especially excited this year to see how utilizing BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost in our compost effects plant growth. I'd recommend that you check out BiOWiSH™ Technologies website and read about studies they've been doing on how their products can boost production! Anyway, I do want to complete the experiment with the pots a full six to eight weeks, though, so I'll save transplanting the seedlings until at least the first week of April...maybe longer, unless I can plan on covering up those baby plants when frost or late snow threatens. Meanwhile, we have seedlings started and seeds for outside ready to sow.
Happy Composting!
We also want to test out using potting soil instead of a medium made specifically for starting seeds. In the Denver Post article, SEEDS in the Saturday, March 13, 2010 edition of Inside & Out, author Susan Clotfelter insists that seeds need to be started in 'soiless seed-starting medium' or they will experience 'seedling flop'. This is otherwise known as dampening off, which causes the seedlings to fail after sprouting due to fungus in the soil. We're going to try very low dose applications of BiOWiSH™ Aqua as an 100% natural, organic and safe anti-fungal to test whether that will prevent 'seedling flop' in our seeds started in potting soild and compost.
There are now four out of four lettuce seeds that have sprouted, and two of the four spinach seeds. The pots seem to be holding up just fine, and I was outside today in the glorious Colorado afternoon sun mixing in our home grown, 100% organic compost into our garden soil to prepare for planting. We're especially excited this year to see how utilizing BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost in our compost effects plant growth. I'd recommend that you check out BiOWiSH™ Technologies website and read about studies they've been doing on how their products can boost production! Anyway, I do want to complete the experiment with the pots a full six to eight weeks, though, so I'll save transplanting the seedlings until at least the first week of April...maybe longer, unless I can plan on covering up those baby plants when frost or late snow threatens. Meanwhile, we have seedlings started and seeds for outside ready to sow.
Happy Composting!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
We Made Seedling Starter Pots from Newspaper
You may remember (that is, if there are actually, factually people out there reading this) reading my blog of Jan. 6th that included a link to a video about making starter pots out of newspaper. If you've tried this, you no doubt have made some adjustments to the procedure. We made our first pots last night, and here's how we changed the process:
1. I thought that using a whole sheet of newspaper was too much...too much newspaper, more difficult to fold into the glass, plus I hoped that using less might make it easier to break down in the soil so that we could just plant the seedling pot and all instead of removing it from the pot. I like to jostle the seedlings as little as possible! So I started with half a sheet of newspaper.
2. Then I was folding it into thirds (again, less newspaper on the sides, bottom) rather than half and then half again, so that I could have a little taller pot to start out with. I can also, then, have a little more length at the bottom so that I'm sure to completely cover the bottom and not have soil drop out.
3. I folded the top over a little, like 1/2 an inch or so, thinking that it will hold it all together a little better.
4. Finally, I used a jar to roll the newspaper up with because I don't have a straight sided drinking glass and didn't want to go buy one. I also used a slightly smaller jar to mash down into the pot to flatten the bottom better.
5. Into the soil that we fill each pot with, we'll be mixing in our home made compost so that we really give our seeds a great medium to start in. I'm also planning on using a very low dose of BiOWiSH-Aqua™ on a control group of seedlings once they sprout to see what difference it will make on their rate of growth and production. The BiOWiSH Technologies folks have done a study on hydroponically grown lettuce and BiOWiSH-Aqua™ with great results.
6. I know they recommended, in the video, removing the pot before planting. Hubby says the pots will break down "in no time". I'm alittle worried about stunting the growth by making it more difficult for the roots to spread out into the garden soil. I'm thinking that putting slits into the newspaper every 1/2 inch or so will reduce the effort that the roots have to go through to break out of their pots. We may have a control group for this, as well.
We're ready with our pots, and the trays that they'll set in. Hubby is online right now ordering our seeds. I'm even going to start my impatients from seed. I never have before, but he has, so I'm willing to give it the college try. I figure I'll save about $50 on the impatients alone. I hope it works, because my front yard, raised bed for impatients next to my porch are a highlight of my summer!
We have a garden window in our kitchen made for plants. It has traditionally housed only succulents and cacti, because it faces south and I have had a challenge keeping greenery watered enough. With hubby's help and extra care, we've added a potted oregano plant that has been doing just fine. Into this window, we'll be putting 4 trays of starter pots (28 pots in each tray). Another 4 trays (containing the same number of pots) will go under a grow light in the garage. Wish us luck. I have my mouth all set for those vegies!
Happy Composting!
1. I thought that using a whole sheet of newspaper was too much...too much newspaper, more difficult to fold into the glass, plus I hoped that using less might make it easier to break down in the soil so that we could just plant the seedling pot and all instead of removing it from the pot. I like to jostle the seedlings as little as possible! So I started with half a sheet of newspaper.
2. Then I was folding it into thirds (again, less newspaper on the sides, bottom) rather than half and then half again, so that I could have a little taller pot to start out with. I can also, then, have a little more length at the bottom so that I'm sure to completely cover the bottom and not have soil drop out.
3. I folded the top over a little, like 1/2 an inch or so, thinking that it will hold it all together a little better.
4. Finally, I used a jar to roll the newspaper up with because I don't have a straight sided drinking glass and didn't want to go buy one. I also used a slightly smaller jar to mash down into the pot to flatten the bottom better.
5. Into the soil that we fill each pot with, we'll be mixing in our home made compost so that we really give our seeds a great medium to start in. I'm also planning on using a very low dose of BiOWiSH-Aqua™ on a control group of seedlings once they sprout to see what difference it will make on their rate of growth and production. The BiOWiSH Technologies folks have done a study on hydroponically grown lettuce and BiOWiSH-Aqua™ with great results.
6. I know they recommended, in the video, removing the pot before planting. Hubby says the pots will break down "in no time". I'm alittle worried about stunting the growth by making it more difficult for the roots to spread out into the garden soil. I'm thinking that putting slits into the newspaper every 1/2 inch or so will reduce the effort that the roots have to go through to break out of their pots. We may have a control group for this, as well.
We're ready with our pots, and the trays that they'll set in. Hubby is online right now ordering our seeds. I'm even going to start my impatients from seed. I never have before, but he has, so I'm willing to give it the college try. I figure I'll save about $50 on the impatients alone. I hope it works, because my front yard, raised bed for impatients next to my porch are a highlight of my summer!
We have a garden window in our kitchen made for plants. It has traditionally housed only succulents and cacti, because it faces south and I have had a challenge keeping greenery watered enough. With hubby's help and extra care, we've added a potted oregano plant that has been doing just fine. Into this window, we'll be putting 4 trays of starter pots (28 pots in each tray). Another 4 trays (containing the same number of pots) will go under a grow light in the garage. Wish us luck. I have my mouth all set for those vegies!
Happy Composting!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Creating a Seed Starter Pot Out of Newspaper
I found a cool video to watch that teaches how to make starter pots for seeds out of newspaper that is well put together and includes simple six step-by-step instructions. I'm certainly going to try them this year, since I know I'm going to be starting those new variety of tomatoes from seed. Plus it's great when newspapers can be used and reused!
All you need is black and white print newspaper, a straight sided glass or jar, soil and seeds. You'll note that in the video, the presenter suggests using a full sheet of newspaper. I think that makes for a very sturdy pot, but a half a sheet is just as good for purposes of starting seedlings, and the newspaper will break down much quicker in the ground.
Speaking of the pot in the ground, when you watch the video, you'll note that it's recommended that you take the newspaper off before planting. I personally don't think that's a good idea, because no matter how careful you are, the delicate roots of the seedling are going to be disturbed by the removal. Instead, I recommend a good soaking of the root ball/newspaper pot, then carefully poking through the newspaper at 1/4 inch intervals around the pot and then planting the whole thing.
And when you plant your seedlings, remember to use organic compost mixed into the garden soil for the nutrients the plants need, and the water retaining properties of the amended soil. The nutrients will be in slow release mode and will continue to nourish your seedlings as they develop. The compost will reduce the need to water by helping the soil naturally retain the moisture in the soil.
So here's the link for this how-to video: ehow.com seed starting newspaper pots
Happy Composting!
All you need is black and white print newspaper, a straight sided glass or jar, soil and seeds. You'll note that in the video, the presenter suggests using a full sheet of newspaper. I think that makes for a very sturdy pot, but a half a sheet is just as good for purposes of starting seedlings, and the newspaper will break down much quicker in the ground.
Speaking of the pot in the ground, when you watch the video, you'll note that it's recommended that you take the newspaper off before planting. I personally don't think that's a good idea, because no matter how careful you are, the delicate roots of the seedling are going to be disturbed by the removal. Instead, I recommend a good soaking of the root ball/newspaper pot, then carefully poking through the newspaper at 1/4 inch intervals around the pot and then planting the whole thing.
And when you plant your seedlings, remember to use organic compost mixed into the garden soil for the nutrients the plants need, and the water retaining properties of the amended soil. The nutrients will be in slow release mode and will continue to nourish your seedlings as they develop. The compost will reduce the need to water by helping the soil naturally retain the moisture in the soil.
So here's the link for this how-to video: ehow.com seed starting newspaper pots
Happy Composting!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
I'm all into this!
The internet gardening community is really something. There are, seemingly, unlimited inventive ideas for growing things that often astonish me over and over again. Take, for example, the following article that details how to grow potatoes in a (clean) garbage can. Yep, you heard me, potatoes in a garbage can! I'm excited now, because with our garden plot I never thought that I could grow potatoes, and I do so love the way those homey vegetables stretch my food budget. So now I'm pretty confident that I can have my suburban garden plot with enough room for what I'd already planned for, AND my potatoes too! I happen to have an extra garbage can. We used to use it for actual garbage, but since our trash company added single stream recycling at the curb as a service, we only need one trash can. (BTW, we've increased our recycling bins from two to four - yes!)
That trash can is pretty groady though. I hate to say this, but it may be that it's never been properly cleaned out. So I'm going to take some BiOWiSH™ Bin Wash and have all those lovely enzymes do the work for me, set them loose on those germs, the mold and fungus until they've eaten it all up - 100% organically and environmentally safe. And when it's all cleaned up, I'll put in a good helping of the compost that we've been creating all winter with the help of BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost to provide those cured tater pieces with the perfect blend of nutrients to grow and multiply in. Bam! New potatoes for hubby and me. I think you'll enjoy this article from ezine.com as much as I did!
Happy Composting!
By GreenGardenChic
User-Submitted Article
Article Rating: (233 Ratings)
Why in the world would anyone want to grow a crop of potatoes in a plastic garbage can? Well let me tell you, potatoes grow deep, and it's hard to dig them all out! Plus, they like soft, well-prepared soil that's easy for them to root in. Then of course, they're space hogs, eating up precious planting room in the veggie garden. Last, but not least, potatoes should never be planted in the same place year after year, because they infect their own soil and cause next years crops to get blight (anyone remember a little potato famine that knocked down the population of Ireland?).
So for those of us who don't have much space in our gardens and can't or don't like to dig giant holes looking for our food, this is a great alternative. And for the city gardener , growing potatoes in garbage cans is perfect.
Instructions
1. Step 1
Grow new kinds you can't find at the grocery store.
Turn your garbage can upside down and drill several holes in the bottom of the can. Add a few around the outside wall, 3 to 6 inches up from the bottom. It's really important to have good drainage or your potatoes will rot in a hurry.
2. Step 2
Good soil is the key ingredient.
Dump about 2/3rds of your bag of potting soil in the can. Mix in 1 cup of your fertilizer and set aside.
3. Step 3
This potato could be cut into at least 4 pieces.
For your seed potatoes, small ones can be planted whole. The larger potatoes should be cut up into pieces with no less then 3 "eyes" per piece ("eyes" being those brown dimples that the roots will grow out of). Let your potatoes dry out on the cut side before you plant them.
4. Step 4
Once your cut potatoes have cured, plant them in your can 5 inches apart and cover with the remaining soil. You'll only need 4 starts to a can. Set the can in an area that receives 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight.
5. Step 5
Water thoroughly and keep the soil moist but not soggy during the growing season. Don't let the soil dry out or you'll end up with misshaped potatoes. On the hot summer days, your potato garbage can might even need to be watered daily (you might move the can to a slightly shadier location on the hottest days).
6. Step 6
Potato flowers
As the plants start to grow in the can, mound up compost around plant stems keeping the leaves uncovered. As they grow a little more, add some more compost. You'll be able to fill up the entire can with compost by the end of the growing season. Keep it watered.
7. Step 7
Fall harvest
At harvest time, you can wait for the flowers to start to fade and grow what looks like berries. Harvest a few potatoes now, by reaching into the soft soil and picking a few, then covering everything else back up with compost. These early potatoes are "new potatoes" and they spoil quickly, so eat them now. For your bigger, storing potatoes, wait to harvest after the green plants have turned brown and dried up or died back. Just dump the entire can over (onto a tarp, maybe) and pick out your potatoes. The soil can be collected and added to a flower garden. You just don't want to plant potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, or eggplant in that potting soil/compost because the soil will likely harbor some insects or disease from this season's crop.
That trash can is pretty groady though. I hate to say this, but it may be that it's never been properly cleaned out. So I'm going to take some BiOWiSH™ Bin Wash and have all those lovely enzymes do the work for me, set them loose on those germs, the mold and fungus until they've eaten it all up - 100% organically and environmentally safe. And when it's all cleaned up, I'll put in a good helping of the compost that we've been creating all winter with the help of BiOWiSH™ Compost Boost to provide those cured tater pieces with the perfect blend of nutrients to grow and multiply in. Bam! New potatoes for hubby and me. I think you'll enjoy this article from ezine.com as much as I did!
Happy Composting!
By GreenGardenChic
User-Submitted Article
Article Rating: (233 Ratings)
Grow Potatoes in a Garbage Can
Why in the world would anyone want to grow a crop of potatoes in a plastic garbage can? Well let me tell you, potatoes grow deep, and it's hard to dig them all out! Plus, they like soft, well-prepared soil that's easy for them to root in. Then of course, they're space hogs, eating up precious planting room in the veggie garden. Last, but not least, potatoes should never be planted in the same place year after year, because they infect their own soil and cause next years crops to get blight (anyone remember a little potato famine that knocked down the population of Ireland?).
So for those of us who don't have much space in our gardens and can't or don't like to dig giant holes looking for our food, this is a great alternative. And for the city gardener , growing potatoes in garbage cans is perfect.
Instructions
1. Step 1
Grow new kinds you can't find at the grocery store.
Turn your garbage can upside down and drill several holes in the bottom of the can. Add a few around the outside wall, 3 to 6 inches up from the bottom. It's really important to have good drainage or your potatoes will rot in a hurry.
2. Step 2
Good soil is the key ingredient.
Dump about 2/3rds of your bag of potting soil in the can. Mix in 1 cup of your fertilizer and set aside.
3. Step 3
This potato could be cut into at least 4 pieces.
For your seed potatoes, small ones can be planted whole. The larger potatoes should be cut up into pieces with no less then 3 "eyes" per piece ("eyes" being those brown dimples that the roots will grow out of). Let your potatoes dry out on the cut side before you plant them.
4. Step 4
Once your cut potatoes have cured, plant them in your can 5 inches apart and cover with the remaining soil. You'll only need 4 starts to a can. Set the can in an area that receives 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight.
5. Step 5
Water thoroughly and keep the soil moist but not soggy during the growing season. Don't let the soil dry out or you'll end up with misshaped potatoes. On the hot summer days, your potato garbage can might even need to be watered daily (you might move the can to a slightly shadier location on the hottest days).
6. Step 6
Potato flowers
As the plants start to grow in the can, mound up compost around plant stems keeping the leaves uncovered. As they grow a little more, add some more compost. You'll be able to fill up the entire can with compost by the end of the growing season. Keep it watered.
7. Step 7
Fall harvest
At harvest time, you can wait for the flowers to start to fade and grow what looks like berries. Harvest a few potatoes now, by reaching into the soft soil and picking a few, then covering everything else back up with compost. These early potatoes are "new potatoes" and they spoil quickly, so eat them now. For your bigger, storing potatoes, wait to harvest after the green plants have turned brown and dried up or died back. Just dump the entire can over (onto a tarp, maybe) and pick out your potatoes. The soil can be collected and added to a flower garden. You just don't want to plant potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, or eggplant in that potting soil/compost because the soil will likely harbor some insects or disease from this season's crop.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Soil Testing Part Deux
This is a follow up on my Jan. 8th post about wanting to check the chemical makeup of the soil in my garden. So I went online and searched for "soil testing kits" and found that there are a good number of companies out there offering kits, for prices varying from $4.95 to almost $20, to professional soil testing kits in the hundreds of dollars. Your local nursery and most likely your neighborhood hardware store will carry something that is usable and reasonably priced. Then I looked up how to do a soil test. Here's what a local store's website had to offer:
You need some supplies, such as:
- a clean bucket
- a garden trowel
- a clean container
- enough newspaper to spread out and let the soil samples dry out a little
Once the supplies are ready I'll:
You need some supplies, such as:
- a clean bucket
- a garden trowel
- a clean container
- enough newspaper to spread out and let the soil samples dry out a little
Once the supplies are ready I'll:
- Thoroughly clean the tools that I am using to collect the soil samples.
- In the area that I'll be planting in, I'll dig five holes 6"-8" deep.
- I'll take a 1/2" slice of soil along the side of a hole and place it in the bucket.
- I'll repeat this process for all holes.
- I'll collect samples from different areas that will be growing similar plants.
- And I'll mix the soil in the bucket, then spread it on a newspaper to dry out. I'll need to collect a pint of soil for my sample
Helpful Hints:
- The best time to test soil is in the late fall or early spring. This gives you the time to make adjustments to the soil before you plant your garden, since soil corrections may take a few months to become effective.
- Wet soil can give a false test reading. Be sure to take the sample when the soil is fairly dry. You may want to check your soil more than once to verify your results.
Once I know what condition my soil is in, I can monitor the nutrients - Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potash (K) - which are all needed for plant growth, color and bloom. Nitrogen is essential for leaf growth and green coloration. Phosphorus helps with plant growth, fruit and seed development, and disease resistance. Potash strengthens the plant from the roots up! And pH levels measure the alkalinity or acidity of the soil. Some of these kits come with a listing of plants and what soil requirements they need. Look for that info!
I can hardly wait for those fresh veggies and blooms!
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