7 Tips for a Bountiful harvest

The No Dig Garden

 

    I want to start out by saying that when I first started gardening, I tilled every inch of my garden, I thought this was something you were supposed to do. I even went out a purchased a brand-new tiller to help me do it. I learned along the way what this was doing to my garden and the hidden issues it was causing undenounced to me. 

    My garden would get covered in weeds every year. I was spending most of my time tending to the weeds, then I was my own garden. I figured every year I would just go in there with the tiller and use that to wipe out the weeds... not understanding at the time that the tiller was actually causing the weeds to spread.

    My garden was covered in milkweed, and I thought that it would be a good idea to chop it down and then till up the ground to try to get the roots out. I was wrong, I started to do some research and discovered that the more you disturb the roots, the more the weed would spread and grow. My garden turned into a jungle. I had to figure something out quick. I read online that you should only cut the top of the weed off and leave the roots undisturbed. Removing the leaves and stems would stop their ability to soak up the sun and this would kill off the roots.

The destruction of the soil was causing the milkweed to spread every time one of those roots were cut, it was a never-ending cycle. This is what lead me to the no dig garden.

                                               Photo by Greta Hoffman

A no-dig garden is organic and long-lasting method of growing plants without disturbing the soil. Starting with the preservation of the soil's natural structures and facility, this method offers numerous advantages. 

1. There will be less erosion if the soil is not tilled. 
2.  Better water retention and drainage, reducing the need to water and preventing soil compaction.
3. Reduces weeding- No dig gardening reduces the need for time consuming weeding.
4. Increases soil biodiversity which may result in healthier plants and fewer disease and pests.
5.  Is a low  maintenance strategy that saves time and effort and makes gardening more accessible to everyone. 

In general a no dig garden is a smart and environmentally friendly method for growing your own flowers and food.

Weather you decide to dig or not to dig, the decision is yours. Do what works best for you and your garden.

Happy Gardening!!

The Benefits of Gardening for Mental Health

 

    Lately I've really been struggling with my mental health. Although this is something that I have dealt with for many years, the last year has been very difficult. Not sure if the Pandemic played a role in that the stress of work and raising a family are weighing on me. I've been turning to my garden for that little bit of peace and mind whenever I can.

   

                                                                                                        Photo by Pixabay

 Gardening has been proven to have great mental health benefits. First and foremost, seeing the results of your efforts gives you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. This helps boost self-esteem and confidence, especially for those struggling with anxiety and depression. Additionally, the physical act of gardening can be a form of exercise that releases endorphins and reduces stress.

    Spending time outdoors in nature can also improve mental health. Surrounding yourself with greenery and fresh air has a calming effect and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression. Additionally, gardening can add meaning and structure to your day, which is especially beneficial for those suffering from mental disorders.

    Gardening is also a social activity, allowing individuals to connect with others who share their interest in gardening. Social media has allowed gardeners for around the world to join in chats, group discussions and a place to share pictures of their gardens. This helps reduce the feelings of loneliness and isolation that are common in people with mental illness. Additionally, gardening serves as a form of mindfulness practice, allowing individuals to focus on the present moment and reduce rumination and worry.

                                                                                        Photo by Markus Spiske

 Finally, gardening makes me feel connected to nature. This is especially beneficial in urban areas where people can feel disconnected from nature. This connection evokes feelings of awe and wonder, leading to improved mental health. In summary, gardening has many mental health benefits and is a worthy addition to your self-care routine. 

What are some other self-care practices that you do to help your mental health? 

Sprouts and Microgreens

Photo by Mikhail Nilov

My gardening motto for this year is "Try something new." This has been great for me in the respects of thinking outside the box while I'm starting in the garden, But in in the respect that when I see a new seed I buy a new seed. I saw some seeds at the Dollar tree and the seeds happen to be 2 varieties of Micro greens. A mild and a Zesty blend.

If I'm being honest I had never really thought about Microgreens before so I decided to try buy. This actually got me thinking about sprouts and I started to wonder what's the difference between the two. While micro greens and sprouts share some similarities, there are also some notable distinctions between them.

Sprouts are young plants that are cultivated in water and harvested as soon as they begin to sprout. Typically consumed raw, sprouts can be added to salads, sandwiches, or smoothies. They boast a bounty of vitamins and minerals and are also low in calories.

Microgreens, on the other hand, are slightly more developed than sprouts. Grown in soil, they are harvested when their first true leaves appear. Microgreens are also consumed raw and can be used to enhance a variety of dishes. They make a great garnish but can also be added to salads or sandwiches for an added burst of flavor. Like sprouts, microgreens are teeming with vitamins and minerals.

                                                                                    Photo by Dmitriy Zub

A significant distinction between sprouts and microgreens is their taste. Sprouts possess a gentler flavor, while microgreens have a stronger taste. This makes microgreens an excellent option for people who enjoy pungent flavors and want to introduce some variety to their meals.

Another dissimilarity between the two is their cultivation time. Sprouts can be ready to consume in just a few days, while microgreens can take up to two weeks to grow. This implies that sprouts are an ideal pick for those who want to savor fresh produce quickly, while microgreens are more suitable for those who are willing to be patient for a more mature plant.

Overall, both sprouts and microgreens are excellent selections for those seeking to incorporate fresh, healthy produce into their diet. Although they share some resemblances, they also have some crucial differences in terms of taste and growing time. Ultimately, the decision between the two will depend on individual preferences and dietary requirements.

How I Decide What To Grow In My Garden

 

   Let's talk about planning your garden for the growing season...

If you're like me, you like to plan ahead. I like to keep a record of everything I grow in my garden every year. I keep an up-to-date list of everything I grew or tried to grow for the year and the outcome. This helps me not only identify what grew in the garden and what didn't grow so well, but also gives me a "shopping list" per se of what I need or would like to grow in my garden for the next year. 

The three things I think about,

There are three things I like to think about first when it comes to planning my garden. I have them listed below. 

1. What did I grow the previous year- This is my list of every single thing I planted, whether it produced or not. This is a simple list to help me remember and keep track.
2. What produced well - By this I mean, what produced a lot in the garden? What did we eat regularly, and what was I able to preserve easily. Sometimes I get so caught up in planting and seeing what I can grow that I don't necessarily grow things that my family eats. I, myself am a lover of vegetables, and my family, not so much. That leaves me trying to find the best way to preserve what was harvested.
3. What did I buy at the grocery store- I like to think about what I have purchased at the grocery store. Is this something I can grow myself in the garden? Last year I added a raised garden bed and planted a variety of lettuce and spinach in it. Throughout the year my family eats a lot of salads, and I thought it would be better for us to try to grow everything we needed to create our salads at home. It flourished; we had an ample amount of salad growing right there in the backyard and harvested correctly the lettuce lasted for a good amount of time.

Once I've gone through this, I have a pretty good list of what I NEED to grow and now I focus on what I WANT to grow. Every year I come across a few items that I want to attempt to grow in my garden, something new that I want to try.  A few years back I planted lemon cucumbers, round yellow cucumbers with a mild sweet flavor. I loved them, but they grew like crazy, soon they took over a good portion of my garden and there was an abundance of fruit that no one but me and my sister enjoyed eating. I ended up taking a lot of them in to work to share, from that I knew that this was not something I would grow again. 

This year I want to try a few new things, two items are for crafting purposes 1.) Bushel Gourd are a large ornamental gourd that can be dried out and used for making bowels. 2.) Luffa Gourd, as a young fruit you can eat the luffa once it matures you can dry it out, remove the skin and seeds, and use the remainder of the dried-out luffa as a sponge for either your dishes or as an exfoliator in the shower. Garlic, onions a variety of potatoes are a few others I hope to try out this year. 

A few things for you to consider if you're new to gardening: 

When deciding what to plant in your garden, there are a few things to consider. 

• Think about the climate you're in, the amount of sunlight the area receives, the soil type, and the amount of space you have. 

• Also consider the maintenance required for different plants, as well as the amount of time and energy you are willing to devote to gardening. 

• Research plants that grow in your climate, the local nurseries, and ask friends and family for advice. 

With careful planning, you can create a beautiful and productive garden that you can enjoy for many years to come.
It's exciting getting things ready, laying out your plan, going through the different seeds and things. How do you decide what you grow in your garden every year? I would love to hear your thoughts and tips. 

 

Gardening With Kids, Tips and Tricks to help include your kids..

 

Hi there!

 If you are reading this, it must be because you're interested in finding a way to be in your garden and bring your kids along. Hopefully, within this article, you will find some tips to help you with that. I am going into my second year of gardening with two-year-old twins. They are a handful! Last year I brought them into the garden a few times to see what they would do, and it was a lot of grabbing, picking, and pulling on things that Mommy didn't really want them to. 

Photo by Greta Hoffman

I did notice that they really enjoyed being out there, copying what I was doing which was heartwarming to see. The gears in my head started to spin, and I bought each kid their own pair of gloves, a bucket/ basket, and a set of gardening tools (spade, rake, etc.). They love having their own tools, tools that look like Mommy's.

                                                    Photo By Kampus Production

When it's time to go out to the garden we gather our tools, and supplies and walk out to the garden together. I give them a little pep talk on our plan (although I know they don't particularly care) and once we get out there, we get to work.

I like to assign little tasks. "Pick up all the yellow flowers" or " Grab all the sticks and put them in this bucket." It gives them something to do, something to focus on and it gives me an extra set of hands.

Below are 5 Tips on things you can do to not only include your kids but also educate and build on their interest in gardening. 

5 Tips on gardening with Kids

1. Get your kids involved by having them help in the garden. Give them tasks that are age-appropriate, such as planting seeds, watering plants, and weeding.
2. Make gardening fun by coming up with creative games or activities to do with your kids. Planting a scavenger hunt with items from the garden or having a race to see who can water the most plants are great ideas.
3. Educate your kids about gardening with age-appropriate books, videos, and websites. Show them how plants grow from seeds, where food comes from, and how to care for plants.
4. Let your kids pick out their own plants to grow. Visit a local nursery or grow plants from seed to give them choices.
5. Give your kids a space of their own in the garden. Let them design and decorate their own garden plot and help them learn to care for their own plants.

Hopefully, this helps let me know of any tips or tricks you have used when gardening with your kids.

-Casey R