As an Amazon affiliate, I suggest products I love and also research the best products and earn a commission from qualifying purchases you may order by clicking on the light blue underlined links.
There are so many benefits to having raised beds! It is so much easier to plant seeds, thin out seedlings, transplant and harvest but the unexpected plus is that the soil warms up earlier than it would be in the ground. Having early spring peas and lettuce from the garden are great but even better is that it is so much easier on the back, arms, and legs when the planting beds are easier to tend.
This 3-tiered raised bed is great for growing deep-rooted tomatoes and carrots and shallow radishes.
This Red Cedar Raised Garden Bed is made in Maine without any chemicals and is not pressure treated. Make sure when looking for any product you plan to grow herbs or vegetables in there are no added chemicals added.
Photo: Barbara Hobens – perennial beds at Highclere Castle, Newbury, England Don’t be shy when you plant tulips. A display like this is only achieved by planting bulbs close together.
What do you want to grow this year? Make a list of what vegetables and herbs you want to eat and then decide what to grow from seed or purchase from a local nursery, plant sale, or online. Organic and heirloom seeds are personal favorites.
Starting plants from seeds is easy. Really! You will find that there is a much wider choice of varieties once you start looking at seed catalogs. But… that positive is what will “get you in trouble” because the tendency is to order way more than you have space for! Thankfully, the majority of seeds (except onion seeds) will be just fine for two-to-three years.
SEED STARTING
Warm weather crops such as tomatoes and peppers must be started indoors and sowing some lettuce, herbs, and flowers inside will give them a jumpstart before you transplant them outdoors. Have your garden plans in front of you to make sure you have the space for what is tempting you!
Let’s concentrate first on what you absolutely MUST HAVE on hand to start seeds inside. Following posts will cover how to prepare for growing, the “art of sowing” and how to transplant your seedlings.
As an Amazon affiliate, I suggest products I love and also research the best products and earn a commission from qualifying purchases you may order by clicking on the light blue underlined links.
SEED STARTING ESSENTIALS Seeds need light. Look for a place to put your growing seed trays where they will get direct sunlight; 12-15 hours is ideal. Look at south-facing windows or you will have to use lamps or purchase lighting expressly designed for seed growth.
These lights are easy to clip on to a table and you can set the timer to make sure they are getting as real “fake day” of light.
Heat Mats Seeds need warmth to start germinating and the top of the refrigerator or top of a radiator has worked but a warming mat is a non-draft and sure-fire solution. Here are two suggestions: this one and if you are starting a lot of seedlings, this will make better sense. Be sure to check the measurements of your seed trays before deciding.
Seed-starting soil Yes, there is a special soil that is formulated to make it easy for germination and early root growth. The key to all great gardens is the health of your soil and this seed-starting mixture is a winner.
Seed Pots Grow and plant directly into the ground with these organic peat pots. Tap soil around the edges so the entire pot is in the ground. What a great start for the health of your seedlings!
WARNING: YOU WILL WANT TO CHOOSE MANY MORE SEEDS THAT YOU HAVE NO ROOM FOR! So, make a list of what you really want to be able to just walk out the door to eat or cut to add fresh herbs to your recipes. Wanting to add wildflowers? Even if you have snow, toss a mix where you want them to grow!
One more addition to keeping track of your garden; check out this fabulous garden planner that is wise and top quality.
As an Amazon affiliate, I research products and earn a commission from qualifying purchases you order through the links I am sharing. Last week I was standing in the vegetable garden thinking about what to grow next year. The pole beans were very productive but became entwined in the galvanized squirrel-proof mesh “roof.” It is time to grow bush beans again!
So glad I got into the habit of creating garden journals/diaries/notes through the years. Tucked into a bookcase, I saw a journal from the 18 years I lived in Manhattan and gardened at the Clinton Community Garden on West 48th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues. The planning and spacing decisions for a 4′ x 6′ plot was intense. Notes on weather, on when fish emulsion was added, and of course, what seeds and plants are written down. Soon I will need to decide between organic Blue Lake and Provider bush beans.
Highly suggest that you do not use a spiral notebook…easy for pages to get torn and not enjoyable to write in. With a hardcover, you can cut out and scotch tape photos, plant labels, and articles and know they will not fall out.
Other than some herbs and one raised bed with carrots still waiting to be pulled for a stew, I am no longer eating from the garden. Hoping that your garden was beautiful and productive this year and I have some suggestions for 2024! As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through the affiliate links I am sharing.
Having cleaned and stored tools after oiling and sharpening them, my “need vs wish” list for Black Friday deals on the 23rd is formulating. Are you looking for any specific products for Christmas gifts or next years’ garden? Email me at gardenwithnature@live.com or send a Facebook message and I’ll share the “best finds” before Black Friday!
Speaking of the birds that stay in your garden all year, they can cuddle-up to stay warm in this roosting box and, if you have Eastern Bluebirds, then get this guard for the lower (since warm air rises) entrance hole to keep Chickadees and House Sparrows out. Have squirrels? This sturdy, easy-to-fill bird feeder has tricked them through the years… their weight will not allow them to jump on it, but the birds will spill some for them to enjoy, too.
One more! Will be moving the composter closer to the backdoor and in more sunlight this weekend. Here is a easy-to-turn composter to make “black gold” a lot quicker!
Putting your vegetable garden to bed is almost upon us. As an Amazon affiliate. I earn from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links and my BH’s CHOICE * for this necessary and enjoyable chore is this kneeler/seat for your comfort. No sense having wet knees, getting pebbles in your skin, or having trouble standing up after pulling spent vines or pulling weeds.
The hummingbird feeders have now been removed, cleaned, and are hanging on hooks in the garage but this trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) is still flowering in case some late migrators pass through.
My absolute favorite hummingbird feeder (and I have tried many different types) is now this easy-to-clean glass (not plastic) beauty. And, since learning about this anti-ant product two years ago, not one ant has ever crossed thethin circle of gel after squeezing out and spreading a thin circle of it around the feeder hook.
Now, there is a HUGE lesson to share with you that many people do not know. Never place your hummingbird feeder in full sun. The sugar water – – never use red dye! – – gets really hot! Hang your feeder up in the shade with the easiest, most secure hook I have ever used for feeders that sway in the wind.
* BH’s CHOICE is a product that I either have and love or one that I have thoroughly researched and can recommend.
On this last August day, I watched dozens of leaves drop to the shady woodland hillside. As I turned, heard and then watched a hawk circling high above, and then noticed asters in bloom.
I harvested some oregano a few days ago and let it dry on the kitchen island. Just mashed up hard boiled egg shells to “plant” in a raised vegetable bed later.
BARBARA HOBENS 