Common Sense Gardening

It makes common sense to get the most from your garden and the space you have available. When proper planning is used, even a small garden can produce large amounts of produce for you and your family. When adding compost or fertilizer, don’t forget to use a little common sense at the same time.

Common Sense Gardening Tips

1.) Have your seeds and seedlings available prior to the start of your growing season. Don’t wait till the last minute when seed stocks or seedlings may be in short supply. It’s important to remember that you probably won’t be the only person planting a garden.

2.) Prepare and cultivate the soil for your garden ahead of the planting season as soon as possible and always use plenty of compost. Proper conditioning of your soil prior to planting is an essential step. This will give your seeds and seedlings better conditions for best growth right from the start of your growing season.

3.) Plan your garden so that your plants when mature will cover the entire garden area. This will allow you to maximize all the available space in your garden and help increase the yield from your crops and get the most from your garden.

4.) Choose high yield vegetable varieties that are well suited for the planting zone in your area. Smaller and more compact plant varieties that produce heavier crops will give you higher yields for your efforts creating less work for you.

5.) Choose plant varieties that are of a hardier nature. Depending upon your temperature zone, you may need varieties that are cold hardy, drought or heat resistant or that are not vulnerable to certain pests or plant diseases that may be common in your area.

6.) If possible, attempt to extend your growing season. Use cold frames or a greenhouse to increase the length of your growing season. This is especially important where colder temperatures place severe limits on your growing season.

7.) Pay attention to your garden. Check your garden often to avoid or minimize damage and destruction by pests or plant diseases. A garden can be ruined and all your crops lost in a short period of time leaving you with little or nothing to show for your efforts.

8.) Don’t forget your garden tools! They are as important as any other part of your gardening activities. Make sure handles are in good shape and the cutting or chopping edges are sharp. Keep a good pair of work gloves handy to help prevent or reduce possible injuries. Protect that thumb while it’s turning green!

9.) Take advantage of the experiences of your friends, neighbors and relatives. Quite often many people will be more than willing to share their successes, as well as their failures. This will help you avoid mistakes that others may have already made or help to give you a head start in the right direction.

Successful gardening can be quite a challenge. It can also be great fun. All you need to remember is to add a little common sense to your garden.

Here is a link to a free online vegetable garden planner to help in planning your garden.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker