Preparing for your Spring Garden
Hey folks! If you don't already have a garden in progress, now is the time to start prepping for a Spring garden. So roll up your sleeves and let's get gardening.
First things first - location, location, location.
Choosing your location is very important. I recommend selecting an area that gets 5-6 hours a day of direct sunlight. Due to the rocky terrain in Austin, topsoil is next to non-existent therefore, I love raised beds for gardening. 6-8 inches of soil is preferable. Raised beds also allow for maximum control of the type and quality of your soil.
So, what type of soil, you ask?
This will vary depending on what you want to grow. Normally, I start off with a good organic based soil. This last year, I incorporated compost and (horse)manure into my soil. I also recommend starting a compost pile. I'll discuss in greater depth in a future post. Regarding soil composition: If your soil too lightweight, it will not retain moisture. If it's too heavy, it won't drain well. Your lesson, balance is important.
Figuring out what you want to grow.
This is the super fun part. I spend December and January with a cup of coffee in hand dreaming about what I will grow in the Spring. The Internet is a great resource, use it! I firmly believe in getting the best yield I can for the space and effort I have to put into my garden. Generally, I do not limit where I garden. If there is a wall, I am building a trellis. Don't be afraid to go vertical. As for me, my spring garden will filled with green leafy veggies, tomatoes, cucumbers (I am researching varieties that will work well on my trellis), potatoes, okra and jalapenos. My motto is: Have fun, knock yourself out, grow what makes you happy!
Do's and Don'ts
Use the recommended veggie varieties for your area. Record your your progress - It's awesome to see the progress you have made and share the pics with the rest of us on FOOGS.org. Don't plant too closely - give them room to grow! And most importantly, keep it organic and all natural.
Well, that's it for today. I will be sharing my life's experiences and love for growing my own food in future blog posts. I look forward to helping answer any questions you have, trading tips and veggies.
Your Garden Buddy,
Tom
First things first - location, location, location.
Choosing your location is very important. I recommend selecting an area that gets 5-6 hours a day of direct sunlight. Due to the rocky terrain in Austin, topsoil is next to non-existent therefore, I love raised beds for gardening. 6-8 inches of soil is preferable. Raised beds also allow for maximum control of the type and quality of your soil.
So, what type of soil, you ask?
This will vary depending on what you want to grow. Normally, I start off with a good organic based soil. This last year, I incorporated compost and (horse)manure into my soil. I also recommend starting a compost pile. I'll discuss in greater depth in a future post. Regarding soil composition: If your soil too lightweight, it will not retain moisture. If it's too heavy, it won't drain well. Your lesson, balance is important.
Figuring out what you want to grow.
This is the super fun part. I spend December and January with a cup of coffee in hand dreaming about what I will grow in the Spring. The Internet is a great resource, use it! I firmly believe in getting the best yield I can for the space and effort I have to put into my garden. Generally, I do not limit where I garden. If there is a wall, I am building a trellis. Don't be afraid to go vertical. As for me, my spring garden will filled with green leafy veggies, tomatoes, cucumbers (I am researching varieties that will work well on my trellis), potatoes, okra and jalapenos. My motto is: Have fun, knock yourself out, grow what makes you happy!
Do's and Don'ts
Use the recommended veggie varieties for your area. Record your your progress - It's awesome to see the progress you have made and share the pics with the rest of us on FOOGS.org. Don't plant too closely - give them room to grow! And most importantly, keep it organic and all natural.
Well, that's it for today. I will be sharing my life's experiences and love for growing my own food in future blog posts. I look forward to helping answer any questions you have, trading tips and veggies.
Your Garden Buddy,
Tom
Comment
-
Comment by Tom Butler on December 6, 2009 at 12:57pm
-
Hi- Rachel,
Just wrapped up a wonderful Thanksgiving and took some time to think about raised bed gardens. I thought it would be great to put it in a blog post to share with everyone. So please check out today's blog. If you need additional help, please feel free to ask!
-
Comment by Rachel Elsberry on November 23, 2009 at 10:28pm
-
How do I do a raised bed? I have a great spot with lots of sun.
-
Comment by Alexis Adauto Ferguson on November 20, 2009 at 4:04pm
-
Tom's the best green thumb in town. LOVED sharing in his bountiful garden this last summer. Now I'm hoping he'll help me in my own garden. I've got the perfect space for it!
-
Comment by Bill Norton on November 19, 2009 at 11:07am
-
This is great!! I love the signature "your garden buddy" : ) I'll have to an additional Woo-Hoo!
-
Comment by Ty Mellon on November 18, 2009 at 2:57pm
-
Love the post Tom! I'm glad to see our first Blog on FOOGS! Can't wait to get you your own marquee worthy of celebrity posts! :) WOO-HOO!
© 2024 Created by Ty Mellon.
Powered by
You need to be a member of For Our Own Goods - FOOGS to add comments!
Join For Our Own Goods - FOOGS