Recently, I began toying with the idea of starting a garden in our back yard. I've used my son and work both as reasons why we haven't started one yet, but this year is the year. I am convinced that we will make it happen and that it will be a good experience for my family.
So far, I have completed steps 1 & 2 in the process.
Step 1: Research - I chose the high tech road on this one and downloaded some free gardning apps. Garden Minder is my favorite so far because I can type in my zip code and select the type of garden I want. It gave me a pre-planned garden (that I can edit and change to my wishes) and a list of dates to use for when I should start preparing the soil, laying down compost, how far apart to plant seeds, how deep to plant seeds, etc. It also has tips on watering and just about anything else to do with gardening. Now, I realize that this does not make me a master gardener, but it's a start and it didn't take loads of my valuable time to get an idea of what I want.
Step 2: Buy seeds - we may also consider purchasing some small plants for vegetables that are difficult to grow from seeds. Step 1 made this decision much easier for me. The app had directions for growing tomatoes, for example, from seed that involved special lamps while you start your plants indoors. That sounded like more expense and work than I was up for on the first go around, so I will revisit the idea next year.
Step 1: Research - I chose the high tech road on this one and downloaded some free gardning apps. Garden Minder is my favorite so far because I can type in my zip code and select the type of garden I want. It gave me a pre-planned garden (that I can edit and change to my wishes) and a list of dates to use for when I should start preparing the soil, laying down compost, how far apart to plant seeds, how deep to plant seeds, etc. It also has tips on watering and just about anything else to do with gardening. Now, I realize that this does not make me a master gardener, but it's a start and it didn't take loads of my valuable time to get an idea of what I want.
Step 2: Buy seeds - we may also consider purchasing some small plants for vegetables that are difficult to grow from seeds. Step 1 made this decision much easier for me. The app had directions for growing tomatoes, for example, from seed that involved special lamps while you start your plants indoors. That sounded like more expense and work than I was up for on the first go around, so I will revisit the idea next year.
My son will turn 2 next month, and I think a garden will be a wonderful experience for him as well as for my husband and I. I am anticipating some life lessons in reaping the benefit of your work, patience (waiting for crops to ripen/grow), as well as lessons in trial and error and not giving up because you failed at something once. I know our first garden will not be perfect, but with a little planning and preparation, I hope to at least have some yummy salads this summer and some knowledge to make next year's garden even better!