( Note: Some links in this post will take you to other related articles for further information. And it’s easier to keep that soil uncompacted & well balanced. The increased height makes it easier to maintain and harvest from your garden. But these days it seems all the rage! The benefits of raised beds are many. Watch more videos on gardening techniques and other self-reliance, DIY topics on our Wiser Living Videos page.Raised bed gardening has been popular for years. Need crop-specific growing information? Browse our Crops at a Glance Guide for advice on planting and caring for dozens of garden crops. Our popular Vegetable Garden Planner can help you map out your garden design, space crops, know when to plant which crops in your exact location, and much more. Get More Tips with These Great Gardening Resources Quickly and easily record when you planted, watered, tended and harvested your crops so you can compare from year to year in the future. Our free Garden Journal makes taking notes and photos of your garden a breeze. Record when, where and what you grew, and note down any pests, diseases, or failures you experience. Ornamental grasses can be uncut until spring to add movement and structure to the garden as well as valuable overwintering sites for beneficial bugs such as butterflies.Īdd fallen leaves to compost heaps, turn them into soil-enhancing leafmold, or use them as a winter blanket over tender perennials. Leave stems of seed-bearing plants such as coneflowers standing to help feed birds over winter. Tip 9: Don’t Overdo the End-of-Season Tidy Up Stop picking, and they’ll stop producing, so check plants and pick regularly to encourage a steady supply. Some plants that produce fruits or pods – for instance beans, zucchini and tomatoes – must to be harvested regularly to keep them cropping. Mulching with weed-free organic matter helps keep weed seeds that are on or near the soil surface from germinating. Hoeing is fast and easy, and you can simply leave severed weeds on the soil surface to wither in the sun. Using a sharp hoe, hoe close to the surface between rows to avoid damaging the roots of nearby crops. Remove weeds regularly so they don’t have time to set seed and spread. Plants in containers will dry out faster, so keep a close eye on them and water as needed. This makes roots grow deep into the soil to seek moisture, which results in more robust plants. It’s better to water heavily occasionally than a sprinkle every day. Most plants need an average of 1-2 inches of water a week. Get a head start by sowing under cover into plug trays or pots, but make sure your seedlings get plenty of light or they will fail to thrive. Seedbeds must have a fine, crumbly texture. Once your soil has warmed up and dried out enough to become workable, it’s at last safe to start sowing outdoors. Our Garden Planner automatically works out your frost dates based on your location, and uses this to recommend when you should be sowing, planting, and harvesting the plants in your garden plan. In most areas your last and first frost dates define your growing season. Tip 4: Take Your Timeĭon’t plant too soon, or tender seedlings will be damaged by a sudden frost or may struggle to grow well. Don’t rely on fertilizers – while they can be used for a short-term boost, organic matter is needed to build long-term soil health. Over time, this will enrich soil, help it drain better, and make for a healthier environment for roots. Simply lay it on the soil surface as a mulch. Manure must be composted for at least six months before using because fresh manure contains weed seeds, may harbor disease, and can negatively affect plants due to its very high nitrogen content.Īdd organic matter at least once a year, but ideally more often. Home Organization News, Blog, & ArticlesĪllow="accelerometer autoplay encrypted-media gyroscope picture-in-picture" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"> allow="accelerometer autoplay encrypted-media gyroscope picture-in-picture" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"> Tip 3: Enrich SoilĮnrich your soil with regular additions of organic matter such as garden compost and manure.Energy Efficiency News, Blog, & Articles.
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