There is nothing quite like the taste of fresh vegetables. But who knows where your produce has come from? Most of us buy our food at the local grocery store. While I am an advocate of buying organically grown vegetables, I know that sometimes a trip to the grocery store may not be the best way to get your weekly protein supply. There is, however, a way that can provide you with a safer and better way to get your vegetables. Growing your own vegetables can be planned, organized and priceless. I like to refer to growing your own vegetables as vegetable gardening.
Do you cherish your home garden? I certainly do. I wouldn’t ask you to do anything that will bring you butterflies. But gardeners who are trying to garden for the first time are nervous about the amount of work that will be involved. Stressed about the weeds that you have added to their garden, wondering when the next rain will stop so that they can sharpen their tools, and concerned about just how much sun their plants have received. Many times, we turn to other sources for information and often find that we are planning to plant a garden that will cover only a small area, such as a small amount of a sun bed, when larger gardens will support the growth of a much larger garden.
There are no shortages of gardening information or programs. Every gardener has their own little trick of the trade. Some gardeners keep detailed notes of everything they plant. Others screen their seedlings or they have some other type of sensory insulation. In short, they need more planning than would a larger garden and often times their crops taste better. Therefore, I will not go into much detail about the differences between a small garden and a large one, except to say that a small garden can produce a large harvest in a smaller amount of space.
A walk through a French country garden will teach you all you need to know about structure and support. Food is prepared by plowing the earth and then mixed with fertilizer and compost. Garlic will grow in almost any location. Many plants can be eaten as they grow including eggplants, peas and beans. Tomatoes, corn and peppers are common there. Onions, chives and garlic are common as well. A friend of mine even refers to his garden as his ‘garden of learning.’
When deciding on his garden, he decided to plant his favorites, such as kale, truffles, beets, carrots, and lettuces. He then added some herbs, such as basil, parsley and chives. Now, all of his food and garden plants are organic. He could have chosen any type of plant or food that would grow in almost anything. his ‘garden’ is a place to reflect and relax, as well as a source of healthy food.
There are many types of gardens. There is the traditional method of row-based gardening in the English countryside, to the hydroponic method that many consider more practical for urban and suburban gardens. The idea of growing vegetables in the accessory of one’s house using containers is also one that is catching on. There are also indoor gardens of all types,intshe greenhouse method, aeroponic style, as well as ‘nutrient film technique’ (NFT).
Certain urban areas are having aquaponics gardens. This method combines horticultural knowledge and aquaculture knowledge to create a healthier Alice through the creation of a nutrient rich environment for plants to grow in. Both traditional aquaculture as well as horticultural methods are used simultaneously. NFT allows water to be fed directly to the roots of the plant, providing a high level of nutrition and oxygen.
The idea of using vegetables by the age of 35 is no longer an uncommon concept. It is possible to be growing vegetables at home and still keep your grocery bill significantly lower than those who buy food at the store, or who use it as a stand-in for store-bought food. The alternative is to grow your own vegetables at home in your very own greenhouse, red room, or sunny room.
Just about anyone can create a vegetable garden at home today. What it requires is some general knowledge about soil and fertilizers, as well as choosing a pesticide free, non-toxic fertilizer for your garden.
So, let’s take a look at some basic things you should know about as you begin your own garden.
