Basic Tips for any Gardener:
- Know your zone
- Study sun/shade, water, wind, soil, drought/wet areas, rocks, etc.
- Live with your garden for one year before adding anything permanent, plant annuals for color or put annuals in containers in the garden arranged in 3 or 5 group vignettes. Gardening doesn’t necessarily mean in-ground
- Make a sketch and note all plants. Decide what color/types of plants. Know how small/large/wide something grows. Every year add to the sketch of new plants added
- Have basic tools on hand: gloves, pruners, spade, hoe, adjustable rake, trowel to name a few
- In Spring or Fall; till the soil, add nutrients
- The focus here is to use organic fertilizers but organic doesn’t mean they are risk free. Whether organic or chemical follow the instructions as both can be harmful if not used properly. I prefer organic because over time it improves the soil so less fertilizer is needed as the soil feeds plants naturally. Ever wonder why wild flowers grow so well????
- Don’t plant anything unless you are committed to spending time in the garden. If you have little or no time then plant annuals for color using grasses or shrubs with limited maintenance. Any theme garden with diversity requires attention
- Buy a few books on gardening to refer to
Composting on a Budget:
Buy a 5 gallon plastic bucket with a lid in a dark color. Drill a few holes in the bottom also around at the top and bottom every 4” inches or so. Now fill it with shredded newspaper, leaves, egg shells, kitchen scraps (no meat) layering each type initially, add blood meal (increases decomposition) then let it cook in a sunny area. Turn the bucket upside down every week or so. Growing “gold” will be ready in several weeks. This is called hot composting. There are composting bins available but this is cheap and works. Compost tea can be made to feed plants by using cheesecloth to strain allowing seeping in a filled watering can.
Fertilizers:
Buy organic blended or blend your own with blood meal, bone meal, bat guano, etc. or add at intervals. Use organic mulch from cow manure, wood chips—anything that comes from something natural designed to enrich the soil not just feed plants. Over time enriched soil or loam (ideal) will allow you to use less fertilizer while growing stronger plants that attract fewer pests. While using compost enriches the soil annuals are heavy feeders and need fertilizing. Note: Both annuals and perennials in containers lose nutrients as watering washes them away so feed often.
Grow from Seed:
Set up an area in the basement, garage or room to start seedlings. There are fancy greenhouses but plastic or metal trays (I use roasting pans) can work just as well. With a few fluorescent bulbs plus a growing mat and clear plastic you can start just about any plant. Growing from seed is time-consuming and hard—as it requires patience (though nothing quite compares to the feeling when a minuscule spec grows into a beautiful plant.)
I’ve saved plastic pots from previous plants or peat pots, new and reused, to start seedlings. If the plant can grow to maturity inside a peat pot then plant it but I have found I have to separate the young seedlings several times until maturity. So whenever possible I try to save the peat pot removing the soil and letting it dry out. It works about 50% of the time.
In the past I spent $100 on average during the growing season just on annuals or plants that cannot be started from seed. Last year I spent $14.
Water:
Think about a rain catch-all if possible. On a small scale you can set your watering cans out to catch rain.
Pesticides:
Grow an array of plants to attract beneficial insects that eat the bad ones. Don’t plant just one species. Limit any harsh chemicals that may harm the plant or erode the soil. Handpick or use water to kill pests. Neem Oil is a good choice to rid plants from an array of pests. There are a bevy of natural products on the market for animal deterrents too.
Container Gardening:
POTS: This is the single one area that is the hardest to remain “green.” The average homeowner goes to the local garden center buys plants then either puts them in the ground or in other containers while some pots are bio-degradable most are not.. Plastic pots are generally discarded in lieu of a more attract one. Because I grow 95% of my annuals from seed I save those plastic ones to start plants or for repotting. If I give plants away I ask for the plastic pots back to use again. Also smaller pots can be added to larger containers; making them lighter by using less soil. If you purchase from a garden center ask if they have a program to return the used plastic pots.
POTTING SOIL: Recycling used potting soil whenever possible is “green” to the environment and to your wallet. In another 5 gallon bucket, after the plant is discarded (make sure it was disease-free, if unsure throw it all away) add the used soil. I combine both new and used potting soil (do not use soil from the garden.) I then add fertilizer and compost to amend the soil plus Perlite (volcanic glass) to make it less dense. If saving soil is not an option before throwing in the trash till it into your garden bed. Most quality potting mixes have the nutrients added so amending is not necessary unless you are reusing.
Garden centers are a source for all garden items. Growing from seed is involved and unless you are equipped for volume grow primarily for your own needs. The downside is initially your seedlings may not survive, seem smaller than the store bought or not as robust once planted but within a few weeks they catch up. Through trial and error you will soon discover which plants are easiest to grow and which aren’t. Generally by the end of the growing season I notice many of my neighbors’ plants are looking fairly spent or have died. Mine are still growing strong; a trade-off for growing within the natural season plus having some patience.
VEGETABLES: Many vegetables that require space are now available in dwarf varieties. Once thought could only be grown in the ground do very well in containers, such as, beans, peas, carrots, lettuce, peppers and tomatoes.
OVERWINTERING: I save container plants 2 ways outside protected and inside in a sunny location. I have a porch so I combine bigger plants replant them in plastic (saved pots) and group covering with plastic. They do not get wet or are exposed to freezing and thawing. I also built a cold frame where I put smaller plants. Most make it but some don’t but that is still less I have to replace for the new season.
I do bring in other container plants that I have had for years. By the end of winter they often look pretty scrawny but once they are back outside in the elements with a dose of fertilizer they get rejuvenated in days. I keep bringing in a basil plant that should have died 2 years ago but this will be 3rd growing season. This is the original plant not a re-seeder.
Recycling, growing from seed and using natural products helps the planet, helps your wallet which is just pure satisfaction. Repurpose me “green” with savings all around.
