Starting a Backyard Garden
Starting a backyard garden is a fantastic way to save money, have fresh food for meals, and relieve stress. Starting a garden requires some work and planning, but it is also a lot of fun. Each year we plant green beans, corn, tomatoes, radishes, lettuce and potatoes to name a few. Then with the extras we preserve them so that way we can enjoy fresh vegetables in the winter.
The first thing you have to do when starting a backyard garden is decide what foods you want to eat. Check your climate to see if your plants will actually grow once you plant them. For example, last year I found a fabulous deal on blueberry plants, ordered them and planted them. However, they died because our climate doesn’t support them so I lost $10 that could have been better spent somewhere else.
Next, select a spot in your yard for your garden. Be sure it will get plenty of sun, and is big enough to support the kinds of plants you have decided to grow. Certain plants need to be planted at specified distances apart. The more you learn before you get started the better off your garden will be.
We till our garden up with a tiller each year, then we use the hoe to turn the soil at least once before we plant our seeds. We also buy some of the fabric material to keep the weeds at bay and use horse/cow manure for fertilizer. Since we have both of those on hand it makes for heartier vegetables and fruits and cheaper as well. Then you plant your seeds or plants according to the directions. Remember to cage your tomatoes so that they have the support they need and it makes them easier to pick.
A good rule of thumb is to water your garden every other day at dusk, (unless it is raining). Once a week, give your plants a healthy dose of fertilizer. Just remember to not over do it. Don’t forget to weed regularly!
Another tip – plant a few marigolds around the perimeter of your garden to keep away rabbits so that they don’t mistake your harvest for their own! Or use human hair around the plants to keep the deer at bay. Each year we always have a few of both pesky critters!
As the summer goes on, you will take pride in watching your plants grow and bloom with wonderful vegetables. When they are ready, harvest and make wonderful fresh homemade dishes! Cooking with the fresh foods you grew yourself is fun and healthy for the entire family.
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