How to Build a Raised Vegetable Garden | Step-by-Step | Family Projects | This Old House - Introduction
If you have a kid who loves helping out in the garden but you're always brushing the dirt off their knees, a raised bed may be the perfect addition to your landscape. A simple frame of rot-resistant lumber holds the soil in place and brings it to a height that's easy for everyone to reach without climbing all over your precious plants.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
How to Build a Raised Vegetable Garden | Step-by-Step | Family Projects | This Old House - Introduction
Raised Bed Gardening – A Great Way to Grow
By: Cathy Jones
Perhaps as you drive around you have noticed beautifully laid out gardens. The ones that are neatly contained in raised planting areas with tidy paths between. These raised bed gardens are not only a joy to look at. They are a very productive way to grow plants.
Raised bed gardening is also called square foot gardening. The original concept was to help gardens grow better and produce a higher yield. This type of planting also cuts down on water consumption, and is a great way to grow a garden in areas that have poor soil.
You begin by constructing a simple raised bed that is four feet by four feet square. A bed this size makes it easy to reach toward the middle from any side. Use wood that is eight to twelve inches wide, this will be how tall your raised bed is. Fill the bed with fresh soil. You will want to mix in some slow release fertilizer. This will feed your plants all summer long and will help increase your crop yield.
There are several different ways to plant your raised bed. You can section the bed off in one foot by one foot sections using string. This will give you nine equal growing spaces. This type of sectioning is perfect for small crops like peppers, herbs, etc. If you plant crops that have larger plants like tomatoes, you will only want to put one or two plants per section.
Another option for sectioning the bed is to just divide it equally in two. This is a great way to grow crops like corn, beans, and potatoes. Large spreading crops like squash, pumpkins, and watermelons will each need their own bed so they have ample space to spread.
As you plant your beds, keep in mind how large each plant will ultimately get. You don’t want large plants like corn shading smaller plants. Always keep your plants organized large to small and plant north to south.
This type of planting encourages the plants to grow closer together and so that reduces the room that weeds would have to grow. Close planting also helps to shade the soil so it retains moisture longer and helps you to conserve water. The plants are well fertilized from the slow release fertilizer you mixed into the soil at the start and they have adequate water. They also get plenty of light because you paid attention to their size when planting.
As a result of careful planning, the crops in your raised beds will produce a great yield of fresh produce. You will find that raised bed gardening is easier and more efficient than traditional gardens. The fruits of your labor will be worth it!
Author Resource: Cathy likes vegetable gardening and spending time outside. She enjoys to spend time in the garden using her garden carts to drag all her garden tools. Cathy has searched far and wide to discover the perfect landscape tips for her yard.
Perhaps as you drive around you have noticed beautifully laid out gardens. The ones that are neatly contained in raised planting areas with tidy paths between. These raised bed gardens are not only a joy to look at. They are a very productive way to grow plants.
Raised bed gardening is also called square foot gardening. The original concept was to help gardens grow better and produce a higher yield. This type of planting also cuts down on water consumption, and is a great way to grow a garden in areas that have poor soil.
You begin by constructing a simple raised bed that is four feet by four feet square. A bed this size makes it easy to reach toward the middle from any side. Use wood that is eight to twelve inches wide, this will be how tall your raised bed is. Fill the bed with fresh soil. You will want to mix in some slow release fertilizer. This will feed your plants all summer long and will help increase your crop yield.
There are several different ways to plant your raised bed. You can section the bed off in one foot by one foot sections using string. This will give you nine equal growing spaces. This type of sectioning is perfect for small crops like peppers, herbs, etc. If you plant crops that have larger plants like tomatoes, you will only want to put one or two plants per section.
Another option for sectioning the bed is to just divide it equally in two. This is a great way to grow crops like corn, beans, and potatoes. Large spreading crops like squash, pumpkins, and watermelons will each need their own bed so they have ample space to spread.
As you plant your beds, keep in mind how large each plant will ultimately get. You don’t want large plants like corn shading smaller plants. Always keep your plants organized large to small and plant north to south.
This type of planting encourages the plants to grow closer together and so that reduces the room that weeds would have to grow. Close planting also helps to shade the soil so it retains moisture longer and helps you to conserve water. The plants are well fertilized from the slow release fertilizer you mixed into the soil at the start and they have adequate water. They also get plenty of light because you paid attention to their size when planting.
As a result of careful planning, the crops in your raised beds will produce a great yield of fresh produce. You will find that raised bed gardening is easier and more efficient than traditional gardens. The fruits of your labor will be worth it!
Author Resource: Cathy likes vegetable gardening and spending time outside. She enjoys to spend time in the garden using her garden carts to drag all her garden tools. Cathy has searched far and wide to discover the perfect landscape tips for her yard.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Vegetable Gardening in a Small Space
Small Space Vegetable Gardens
Making Every Space Count
You don’t need a farm to grow fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits. You don’t really even need a garden. Plant breeders know that after taste, home gardeners want a high yield in a small space garden. So they’ve been developing more varieties that can grow in a small foot print or even live in containers all year long.
Vegetable gardening used to be the poor relation of home gardens. Perennial borders reigned, mixed borders were most gardeners reality and vegetable gardens were hidden in the back yard, usually the domain of the man of the house. Vegetable gardens were about producing and a man could still be a man and garden with vegetables.
Making Every Space Count
By Marie Iannotti, About.com Guide
You don’t need a farm to grow fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits. You don’t really even need a garden. Plant breeders know that after taste, home gardeners want a high yield in a small space garden. So they’ve been developing more varieties that can grow in a small foot print or even live in containers all year long.
The Small Vegetable Plot
Vegetable gardening used to be the poor relation of home gardens. Perennial borders reigned, mixed borders were most gardeners reality and vegetable gardens were hidden in the back yard, usually the domain of the man of the house. Vegetable gardens were about producing and a man could still be a man and garden with vegetables.Now that vegetables have taken a more prominent place on the table, they are gaining more respect in the gardening world. And with the increased interest from home gardeners, there has been a surge in the development of new varieties: colorful novelty vegetables, heirlooms, ethnic varieties and compact growers.
You don’t need a large area to have a vegetable garden. You do need good soil, plenty of sunshine, a water source and probably a fence. If you think the deer love your Hostas, the entire woodland community is going to enjoy your vegetable garden. If you plant it, they will come.
You can’t always rely on rain. If you have the means, a drip irrigation system is a definite plus for a vegetable garden. The new component systems are really quite easy to install and cost a lot less than most people think. And you’ll save money on water, because it goes directly to the plant’s roots. Less is lost to evaporation.
If you don’t want to opt for drip irrigation, try and site your vegetable garden near a water spigot. You’ll be more likely to water if you don’t have to drag the hose out.
Soil: The final consideration is essential. Vegetables need a soil rich in organic matter. Soil is important to the growth of all plants, but more so with vegetables, because even taste is affected by the quality of the soil. That’s part of why wine from the same grape variety can vary from region to region and why some areas grow hotter peppers than others.
If you can provide these three basics: sun, water and great soil, you can vegetable garden.
Compact Varieties: If you must have a beefsteak tomato or a row of sweet corn, the variety in your small space vegetable garden will be limited. But you can choose varieties that are bred to grow in small spaces. Anything with the words patio, pixie, tiny, baby or dwarf in their name is a good bet. Just because a plant is bred to be small doesn’t mean the fruits will be small or the yield will be less.
Most seeds and seedlings will tell you the mature size of the plants you are selecting. Knowing that, you can space things out and see how much you can fit into your space. More likely however, you will do what most gardeners do and squeeze in as many seedlings as you can fit into your garden and deal with the crowding later. That’s one way to get a large yield from a small space.
If you are truly short of space, interplant your vegetables with your flowers. There’s no rule that says you can’t mix the two. It can be a bit harder to harvest, but many vegetables are quite ornamental in their own right.
You don’t need a large area to have a vegetable garden. You do need good soil, plenty of sunshine, a water source and probably a fence. If you think the deer love your Hostas, the entire woodland community is going to enjoy your vegetable garden. If you plant it, they will come.
Siting Considerations
Sun: Vegetables need a good 6 or more hours of sun each day. Without sun, the fruits will not ripen and the plants will be stressed. There are a few crops that can survive in light shade, lettuce and other greens, broccoli and cole crops, but if you can’t provide sun, you might want to reconsider having a vegetable garden. Water: Vegetables also require regular watering. Without regular water, vegetables will not fill out and some, like tomatoes, will crack open if suddenly plumped up with water after struggling without for awhile.You can’t always rely on rain. If you have the means, a drip irrigation system is a definite plus for a vegetable garden. The new component systems are really quite easy to install and cost a lot less than most people think. And you’ll save money on water, because it goes directly to the plant’s roots. Less is lost to evaporation.
If you don’t want to opt for drip irrigation, try and site your vegetable garden near a water spigot. You’ll be more likely to water if you don’t have to drag the hose out.
Soil: The final consideration is essential. Vegetables need a soil rich in organic matter. Soil is important to the growth of all plants, but more so with vegetables, because even taste is affected by the quality of the soil. That’s part of why wine from the same grape variety can vary from region to region and why some areas grow hotter peppers than others.
If you can provide these three basics: sun, water and great soil, you can vegetable garden.
How Much Space Does it Take
Granted, a small space vegetable garden may not be enough for subsistence farming, but it will be enough to grow great tasting tomatoes, some beautiful heirloom eggplants or an endless supply of cutting greens. If you have limited space, consider what vegetables you can purchase fresh in your area already and what vegetables you truly love and/or miss.Compact Varieties: If you must have a beefsteak tomato or a row of sweet corn, the variety in your small space vegetable garden will be limited. But you can choose varieties that are bred to grow in small spaces. Anything with the words patio, pixie, tiny, baby or dwarf in their name is a good bet. Just because a plant is bred to be small doesn’t mean the fruits will be small or the yield will be less.
Most seeds and seedlings will tell you the mature size of the plants you are selecting. Knowing that, you can space things out and see how much you can fit into your space. More likely however, you will do what most gardeners do and squeeze in as many seedlings as you can fit into your garden and deal with the crowding later. That’s one way to get a large yield from a small space.
If you are truly short of space, interplant your vegetables with your flowers. There’s no rule that says you can’t mix the two. It can be a bit harder to harvest, but many vegetables are quite ornamental in their own right.
Growing Up: If you do opt for a variety of vegetables in your garden, I would recommend the compact varieties and also vining crops that can be trained up on supports. Pole beans take up less space than bush beans. Vining cucumbers and squash, as aggressive as they can be, actually take up less area than their bush cousins.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Small Garden Design - Making the Most of Container Gardens
By Marie Iannotti, About.com Guide
Small space gardening and containers simply go together. Containers give you the chance to experiment and try different plants. If you don’t like it or a plant is under-performing, it is easy to correct.
But where containers really excel is in control. The gardeners can choose just the right soil, the right exposure and the right cultural conditions.
It’s possible to create an entire garden with potted plants, so not having a yard is no excuse for not having a garden. Not every plant will be happy in a container, but you might be surprised how many and which ones do.
Dwarf trees can be left outdoors year round. This includes fruit trees, ornamentals and evergreens. Many vegetable varieties have been bred specifically to be grown in pots. Anything with the words ‘patio’ or ‘mini’ in their name is a good bet.
Using ornamental flowers in containers gives you the means to truly have season long bloom. You can switch out plants or simply switch out pots.
As Filler
No space can be wasted in a small garden. But try telling that to a plant that’s been eaten or that temporarily succumbed to the humidity. Potted containers are perfect for last minute fixes. Whether you create a new pot of simple petunias or pull a masterpiece off of your deck, it can be tucked in next to the ailing plant and instantly fill the void.
As Focal Points
Another speciality of containers in gardens is their ability to create a focal point. If you’re having trouble finding a plant that will provide you with height and not take up your entire garden space, look instead for a tall urn or chimney pot. The foot print is relatively small, but you can fill the top with spiky or spreading color. If the foot print of an urn is still too large for your garden space, consider placing a stand, some blocks or a tree trunk in the space and placing the container on top. Even the pot can be used to add color or texture to the garden.
Containers in gardens are a great way to express yourself. Found items, cracked pots, rusted wheelbarrows, old shoes, even the kitchen sink can be put to use in the garden.
Here are some ideas for choice container plants and for using containers in gardens.
Small space gardening and containers simply go together. Containers give you the chance to experiment and try different plants. If you don’t like it or a plant is under-performing, it is easy to correct.
But where containers really excel is in control. The gardeners can choose just the right soil, the right exposure and the right cultural conditions.
It’s possible to create an entire garden with potted plants, so not having a yard is no excuse for not having a garden. Not every plant will be happy in a container, but you might be surprised how many and which ones do.
Dwarf trees can be left outdoors year round. This includes fruit trees, ornamentals and evergreens. Many vegetable varieties have been bred specifically to be grown in pots. Anything with the words ‘patio’ or ‘mini’ in their name is a good bet.
Using ornamental flowers in containers gives you the means to truly have season long bloom. You can switch out plants or simply switch out pots.
As Filler
No space can be wasted in a small garden. But try telling that to a plant that’s been eaten or that temporarily succumbed to the humidity. Potted containers are perfect for last minute fixes. Whether you create a new pot of simple petunias or pull a masterpiece off of your deck, it can be tucked in next to the ailing plant and instantly fill the void.
As Focal Points
Another speciality of containers in gardens is their ability to create a focal point. If you’re having trouble finding a plant that will provide you with height and not take up your entire garden space, look instead for a tall urn or chimney pot. The foot print is relatively small, but you can fill the top with spiky or spreading color. If the foot print of an urn is still too large for your garden space, consider placing a stand, some blocks or a tree trunk in the space and placing the container on top. Even the pot can be used to add color or texture to the garden.
Containers in gardens are a great way to express yourself. Found items, cracked pots, rusted wheelbarrows, old shoes, even the kitchen sink can be put to use in the garden.
Here are some ideas for choice container plants and for using containers in gardens.
Containers & Small Gardens - A Perfect Match
From Marie Iannotti, your Guide to Gardening
Container gardening has become a discipline of its own. There is just about nothing that can't be grown in a pot, so there's no longer any excuse not to garden. Right? Whether your whole garden consists of containers or whether you use them as accents, the choice of pots and plants makes creating a container garden a game. You can even swap plants out during the growing season, as one fades and a new one is needed to replace it.
Containers can get lost in large gardens, but it's easy to make one the focal point of a small space. Or, as I mentioned, the whole garden. If you're still hesitant about committing yourself to a garden, but want to enjoy some flowers nearby, a cluster of containers on your driveway is enough to initiate you into the world of small space gardens.
Containers can get lost in large gardens, but it's easy to make one the focal point of a small space. Or, as I mentioned, the whole garden. If you're still hesitant about committing yourself to a garden, but want to enjoy some flowers nearby, a cluster of containers on your driveway is enough to initiate you into the world of small space gardens.
Monday, May 03, 2010
Where To Put Garden Metal Wall Art
A great way to make an outdoor space look beautiful is through the decoration of garden metal wall art. It can dress up a boring brick wall or add drama to a dull looking fence. There are many places that wall art can be displayed so that it will look nice. Metal art comes in all shapes and sizes and designs and can go with any kind of look that you require.
Many garden shops are finding that more people are asking for garden art. They are trying to keep up with the demand and attempting to keep it in stock and in as many styles as possible. The prices of these decorative pieces can go from expensive to pretty reasonable.
You might want so spray the metal of your hanging art several times during the year. When it is brought out and hung up, you can spray a compound on it then to keep it from rusting. If it snows in your area, you will want to take it in for the winter.
When you hunt for the perfect spot to hang your art, you might want to keep the sun in mind. That is because direct exposure to sunlight, can cause the metal to fade and loose its color. And if your metal is all black, it can still transform the shade and create some bubbles or lines. There are still lots of places that you can put wall art, so that it is in the shade.
With the assortment of colors that wall art is available, many home owners will have it accent with other colors in the garden. They might have a patio set with a blue umbrella and then match the wall art to it. This can be a great way to bring the intimate space of a garden together.
These days, people are using their outdoor space as another room in the house. And with more people spending time outdoors on the deck or grass, it only makes sense to spend some money on sprucing it up. Wall art can be a decorative touch to any finished outdoor living space.
Art that hangs outside is available in every look you can think of. If you want a picture in a dimensional way, it can be created. Some people prefer to have a nature piece or the look of a garden using the shapes and designs of the metal. Not only can the art represent something, it can also be abstract where the art is expressed through other ways. The shape of the hanging master pieces can range from long and wide, to small and circular. Dressing up a wall of your home, is about finding something that will look amazing for that exact space.
When you have garden metal wall art hanging up in your backyard, it just might be the focal point for conversation. You might enjoy sitting back and looking at the art as part of the many nice things that you have spent time adding to your garden collection.
Searching for an easy way to make your outdoor space look exquisite? Garden metal wall art is ideal. Check out our guide to top notch metal wall art for the inside scoop!
by on April 20, 2010
Many garden shops are finding that more people are asking for garden art. They are trying to keep up with the demand and attempting to keep it in stock and in as many styles as possible. The prices of these decorative pieces can go from expensive to pretty reasonable.
You might want so spray the metal of your hanging art several times during the year. When it is brought out and hung up, you can spray a compound on it then to keep it from rusting. If it snows in your area, you will want to take it in for the winter.
When you hunt for the perfect spot to hang your art, you might want to keep the sun in mind. That is because direct exposure to sunlight, can cause the metal to fade and loose its color. And if your metal is all black, it can still transform the shade and create some bubbles or lines. There are still lots of places that you can put wall art, so that it is in the shade.
With the assortment of colors that wall art is available, many home owners will have it accent with other colors in the garden. They might have a patio set with a blue umbrella and then match the wall art to it. This can be a great way to bring the intimate space of a garden together.
These days, people are using their outdoor space as another room in the house. And with more people spending time outdoors on the deck or grass, it only makes sense to spend some money on sprucing it up. Wall art can be a decorative touch to any finished outdoor living space.
Art that hangs outside is available in every look you can think of. If you want a picture in a dimensional way, it can be created. Some people prefer to have a nature piece or the look of a garden using the shapes and designs of the metal. Not only can the art represent something, it can also be abstract where the art is expressed through other ways. The shape of the hanging master pieces can range from long and wide, to small and circular. Dressing up a wall of your home, is about finding something that will look amazing for that exact space.
When you have garden metal wall art hanging up in your backyard, it just might be the focal point for conversation. You might enjoy sitting back and looking at the art as part of the many nice things that you have spent time adding to your garden collection.
Searching for an easy way to make your outdoor space look exquisite? Garden metal wall art is ideal. Check out our guide to top notch metal wall art for the inside scoop!
by on April 20, 2010
Decorating With Outdoor Metal Art
If you are searching for a way to spruce up the outside of your home to make it more modern and attractive, decorating with metal art is a wonderful option. Wouldn't it be nice to start making a lasting impression on your guest before they even enter your home? Now you can! Best of all it is easier to do than you may have imagined. All you need to do is add some exciting metal art to your homes exterior.
There are many different items available for you to choose from that will greatly enhance your surroundings while expressing your unique style and personality. Below you will find a few great outdoor metal art options that are available for you to choose from.
· Handpainted mailboxes
· Bird baths
· Bird feeders
· Wind chimes
· Welcome signs
· Welcome slates
· Bird houses
· Metal sun art
· Flowing waterfalls
These are just a few of the options available that will have your guest talking about the beauty of your outdoor décor long after they have left. All of these items come in different exciting styles and themes making it possible for you to find something that suits your taste. Some examples of your options include the following:
Lisa Mason is a freelance writer with a specialty in Internet content and SEO articles. She has written thousands of articles, hundreds of ebooks and thousands of website pages and related content. She has also authored her own books and works as a consultant to other writers, Internet marketers and Internet businesses.
Lisa Mason, Professional wordsmith for hire: gamer, wife, mother, entrepreneur, published poet, co-owner of game guides company, public speaker and Internet business consultant. You can learn more or follow Lisa's blog from her website: http://www.freelancewriter4hire.com
You can see more articles like this at: http://giftsanddecor.wordpress.com/
There are many different items available for you to choose from that will greatly enhance your surroundings while expressing your unique style and personality. Below you will find a few great outdoor metal art options that are available for you to choose from.
· Handpainted mailboxes
· Bird baths
· Bird feeders
· Wind chimes
· Welcome signs
· Welcome slates
· Bird houses
· Metal sun art
· Flowing waterfalls
These are just a few of the options available that will have your guest talking about the beauty of your outdoor décor long after they have left. All of these items come in different exciting styles and themes making it possible for you to find something that suits your taste. Some examples of your options include the following:
- Nature
- Vintage
- Traditional
- Animals
Lisa Mason is a freelance writer with a specialty in Internet content and SEO articles. She has written thousands of articles, hundreds of ebooks and thousands of website pages and related content. She has also authored her own books and works as a consultant to other writers, Internet marketers and Internet businesses.
Lisa Mason, Professional wordsmith for hire: gamer, wife, mother, entrepreneur, published poet, co-owner of game guides company, public speaker and Internet business consultant. You can learn more or follow Lisa's blog from her website: http://www.freelancewriter4hire.com
You can see more articles like this at: http://giftsanddecor.wordpress.com/
