Showing posts with label allotments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label allotments. Show all posts

Monday, April 29, 2013

The Easiest Vegetables You Can Grow

The Easiest Vegetables You Can Grow The Easiest Vegetables You Can Grow by Graeme_K

It is far more satisfying to grow veg than to buy them in the supermarket. The pleasure of using your home-growns in the kitchen will add so much to the experience of preparing and cooking your meals. And, here´s the real secret, it´s easy. Whether you have a small indoor garden or an acre to till, growing your own vegetables is hugely pleasurable, yielding fast rewards. And the quality is undoubtedly better than what you will find in the supermarkets.

Growing your own vegetables removes worry about chemicals and pesticides. There is a lot of preoccupation these days about the integrity of fruit and vegetables sold in the supermarkets. They are sprayed with pesticides and waxes which help protect and beautify the produce, but which are inevitably harmful for human consumption.

Planning your garden
Preparation is key and planning your garden will make things much easier further down the line. Picking a sunny spot is vital. For guaranteed success dig your garden in a place that will get six hours or more of full sunlight. It should preferably be close to the house and a water supply, so it is easy to monitor. Finally, your garden should be sheltered enough, getting good air movement, but certainly not windy.

Preparing the soil is also important. Dig and rake the soil so that it is well aerated and free of rocks and debris. The soil should drain well, never leaving puddles after heavy rainfall. You will probably also need to add compost for nourishment. Your end result should be a nice crumbly texture.

Sowing seeds
Sowing seeds is really easy. Usually it is just a case of following instructions on the packet. Some seeds can just be sprinkled on to the soil, whereas others need to be covered up. As a general rule, the bigger the seed, the deeper it must be planted. Be sure to keep the soil moist by watering regularly and gently. When the seedlings are growing make sure that they all have enough space, this may mean pulling some out and replanting.


Onions
Onions are the staple ingredient to any good meal, adding substance and flavour to sauces and stews. They are, therefore, a welcome addition to your garden. Onions can be grown from sets or seeds, but planting sets is infinitely more fun and relatively risk-free. Sets are immature onion bulbs that are planted in the soil. Dig a small hole in the soil, enough to fit your bulb twice, and cover it. Space your sets around 15 centimetres apart for the best result. Plant in early spring.

Carrots
Carrots are another staple to the kitchen. Dice them to add substance to a stew or soup, grate them into a salad or just chop them up and eat as cruditees. Plant your carrot seeds as soon as the soil can be worked after winter. Carrots are ready for harvest when you see their tops peeking over the line of the soil.

Peas
Peas in a pod are the perfect plants for kids. They will love popping them Sugarsnaps are perfect for this. Sow three rows of pea seeds at the very beginning of spring and harvest them when the pods are fat. These little plants are fairly low-maintanance and can survive on the moisture from rainfall.

Lettuce
There is nothing better than a fresh garden salad from your own garden. The quality is better. The leaves are crunchier. And there are so many varieties of lettuce the only difficulty will be in deciding what you want. Try buying salad bowl, spinach and rocket seeds. These are easy to plant and maintain. You will, however, need to keep an eye open for garden pests, especially slugs, who love these tasty greens. Sow every two weeks in order to space out growth and to ensure that you always have fresh leaves on your kitchen table.

Radishes
Radishes are great for the novice gardener. They are easy to grow and are often ready in only three weeks. Plant in early spring, sowing the seeds around six inches deep. They will be a spicy, crunchy addition to your gourmet salads.

Whatever your level of expertise, gardening should be a fun, pleasurable experience. There is nothing like the feeling of eating a meal you planted and prepared yourself. And once you start, you will be guaranteed your thirst for learning will increase.

Written on behalf of the vegetable seeds specialists - KingSeeds.com



Article Source: The Easiest Vegetables You Can Grow

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

The Easiest Vegetables You Can Grow

The Easiest Vegetables You Can Grow The Easiest Vegetables You Can Grow by Graeme_K

It is far more satisfying to grow veg than to buy them in the supermarket. The pleasure of using your home-growns in the kitchen will add so much to the experience of preparing and cooking your meals. And, here´s the real secret, it´s easy. Whether you have a small indoor garden or an acre to till, growing your own vegetables is hugely pleasurable, yielding fast rewards. And the quality is undoubtedly better than what you will find in the supermarkets.

Growing your own vegetables removes worry about chemicals and pesticides. There is a lot of preoccupation these days about the integrity of fruit and vegetables sold in the supermarkets. They are sprayed with pesticides and waxes which help protect and beautify the produce, but which are inevitably harmful for human consumption.

Planning your garden
Preparation is key and planning your garden will make things much easier further down the line. Picking a sunny spot is vital. For guaranteed success dig your garden in a place that will get six hours or more of full sunlight. It should preferably be close to the house and a water supply, so it is easy to monitor. Finally, your garden should be sheltered enough, getting good air movement, but certainly not windy.

Preparing the soil is also important. Dig and rake the soil so that it is well aerated and free of rocks and debris. The soil should drain well, never leaving puddles after heavy rainfall. You will probably also need to add compost for nourishment. Your end result should be a nice crumbly texture.

Sowing seeds
Sowing seeds is really easy. Usually it is just a case of following instructions on the packet. Some seeds can just be sprinkled on to the soil, whereas others need to be covered up. As a general rule, the bigger the seed, the deeper it must be planted. Be sure to keep the soil moist by watering regularly and gently. When the seedlings are growing make sure that they all have enough space, this may mean pulling some out and replanting.

Courgettes
Courgettes grow in startling abundance. If you don’t know your neighbours already this will be your opportunity. You will be desperate to give away these little (and large) green veggies to whoever crosses your path. Sow them from seed directly into the soil in late-May until early summer. You should water these little plants well to boost production. The courgette flowers can also be eaten, they are delicious either battered or fried.

Onions
Onions are the staple ingredient to any good meal, adding substance and flavour to sauces and stews. They are, therefore, a welcome addition to your garden. Onions can be grown from sets or seeds, but planting sets is infinitely more fun and relatively risk-free. Sets are immature onion bulbs that are planted in the soil. Dig a small hole in the soil, enough to fit your bulb twice, and cover it. Space your sets around 15 centimetres apart for the best result. Plant in early spring.

Carrots
Carrots are another staple to the kitchen. Dice them to add substance to a stew or soup, grate them into a salad or just chop them up and eat as cruditees. Plant your carrot seeds as soon as the soil can be worked after winter. Carrots are ready for harvest when you see their tops peeking over the line of the soil.

Peas
Peas in a pod are the perfect plants for kids. They will love popping them Sugarsnaps are perfect for this. Sow three rows of pea seeds at the very beginning of spring and harvest them when the pods are fat. These little plants are fairly low-maintanance and can survive on the moisture from rainfall.

Lettuce
There is nothing better than a fresh garden salad from your own garden. The quality is better. The leaves are crunchier. And there are so many varieties of lettuce the only difficulty will be in deciding what you want. Try buying salad bowl, spinach and rocket seeds. These are easy to plant and maintain. You will, however, need to keep an eye open for garden pests, especially slugs, who love these tasty greens. Sow every two weeks in order to space out growth and to ensure that you always have fresh leaves on your kitchen table.

Radishes
Radishes are great for the novice gardener. They are easy to grow and are often ready in only three weeks. Plant in early spring, sowing the seeds around six inches deep. They will be a spicy, crunchy addition to your gourmet salads.

Whatever your level of expertise, gardening should be a fun, pleasurable experience. There is nothing like the feeling of eating a meal you planted and prepared yourself. And once you start, you will be guaranteed your thirst for learning will increase.

Written on behalf of the vegetable seeds specialists - KingSeeds.com
Article Source: The Easiest Vegetables You Can Grow


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Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Starting a Garden-Tips

Gardening with Tips - Tips and Activities Gardening with Tips - Tips and Activities by Graeme_K

If you are looking to start a garden in the near future, make sure that you follow the correct process. Failure to plan and follow the procedures that are necessary for growth could quickly turn your garden dream into a nightmare.

Fertilizing

The first thing that you must do is prepare your garden for growth. This must occur before you plant any seeds, since the soil must be fertile enough to support life. Many people keep compost throughout the year and then use it to fertilize their gardens in the spring. It is also possible to use synthetic fertilizers if you do not keep a compost. Both types of fertilization can be enjoyable and will keep you active for days.

Planting

Once the soil is ready for a garden, you can begin planting seeds or bulbs. The method that you use to plant depends entirely on the crops that you wish to start. With some plants, you must put bulbs into the soil for them to grow at a rapid rate. This requires you to plant them carefully, since you do not want to crowd the plants together. Flowers are a good example of this, as they need room for the roots to take hold. Therefore, you want to give each plant enough space. This type of planting is fun for anyone who likes getting down and dirty.

Other plants only require you to plant seeds. This is much easier, since you can just throw the seeds into the soil and cover them. Many find planting seeds fun because you can walk up and down the yard tossing seeds wherever you wish.

Weeding

Since you have fertilized your soil, there is always the chance that weeds will infiltrate your garden. Some garden weeds can take over very quickly, so you must stay on them at all times. While some people use herbicides to kill weeds, this can do soil damage if done for long periods. It is best to pull the weeds out of the ground. Weeding burns many calories and works the entire body, which is why many people actually enjoy the process.

Pest Control

Much like weeding, pest control must be part of your garden routine, as insects and other creatures will try to feed on your plants. You can use pesticides or insecticides to kill these bugs, although you must be aware that you are potentially spraying a food source with these chemicals.

Non-toxic pest control methods include spraying liquid soap, garlic or hot sauce on the plants. Make sure that you dilute each ingredient with water before spraying it in the area. These ingredients will kill insects in a hurry, but will not do any damage to your plants.

You can also take the steps to attracting beneficial insects to your garden. These insects include wasps, ladybugs, hover-flies and lacewings, all of which will eat the insects that are killing your plants. Coming up with home remedies is enjoyable and ensures that your garden grows well.

Harvesting

Perhaps the most fun portion of gardening is the actual harvesting of your plants. This is when you get to reap the benefits of all of the hard work that you have put into your yard. Keep in mind that different plants ripen at different times of the year, so read up on the specifics before you pick anything. You can usually tell if a vegetable is ready just by looking at it, but you might have to pick one and taste it just to be sure.

Creating Art

Those who do not plant vegetables might want to turn their gardens into a work of art. This often occurs when people add things like stones, fountains and benches to their gardens to create a truly unique experience. These gardens are seen as works of art and are very fun to create. The great thing is that you can create your garden in any manner that you desire and add any number of different elements to it. This form of gardening takes more work, but it is also fun to see your vision for your garden taking shape.

Have Fun

It is important that you enjoy creating your garden because once it seems like work, there is a chance that you will not follow through with it. Add things to your garden that will make the process even more enjoyable, as this is the best way to keep things moving. In the end, only you can determine how you will get the most enjoyment out of it.

Colin McDonald writes on behalf of Vegetable Seeds from Kings Seeds

Article Source: Gardening with Tips - Tips and Activities
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