No Backyard? No Problem. Reap the Rewards of a Vegetable Garden
(ARA)
During World War II, Americans were encouraged to convert their backyards into Victory Gardens to contribute to the war effort. The gardens also saved families money, something that was not abundant to most at the time. With the current economic downturn affecting many families’ budgets and in light of produce scares in 2008, starting a backyard vegetable garden is a great way to help reduce grocery bills during the summer months while keeping your family supplied with healthy foods. Even if you don't have a lot of space -- maybe only a balcony -- you can still produce plump red tomatoes, fresh lettuce, spicy peppers and more before the end of summer.
Here are some simple tips for gardening in small spaces for big results:
Mix Vegetables with Your Flowers
If you already have an established flower bed, but no more land available for a vegetable patch, work some of your vegetables in between perennials. Carrots and onions don't need a lot of root space, and their foliage above ground can bring variety to the overall look of your landscape. Just make sure your vegetables will have plenty of sunshine and are protected from hungry wildlife.
Start a Container Garden
Balconies and porches are perfect locations for container gardens. Start easy with lettuce seeds or onions set in a deep window box. Or use a larger pot for peppers or tomatoes. To kick off the growing season for your tomatoes and peppers, use a Season Starter like the one from Dalen Products, Inc. in your container. This innovative insulating system helps protect seedlings from frost conditions and extends the growing season. Once established, growing plants can benefit from many products that help contribute to larger yields and vegetation protection. Buying a Tomato Tray that is designed to channel water directly to a vining plant’s root system – critical for establishing healthy tomato plants in the early season. Also, items like Better Reds Mulch Film and Harvest Guard work to ensure that throughout the growing and harvesting season your plants are protected from weeds, drought conditions and early frosts.
Some helpful tips for container gardening are:
* Find containers that are large enough for the fully-grown plant to prevent root binding.
* Make sure containers have adequate drainage holes and are not plugged with soil or rocks.
* Avoid container materials that contain products toxic or harmful to plants.
* Don't use regular garden soil. Instead, use potting soil or a mix of garden soil with compost or perlite for enhanced drainage.
* Water plants frequently as plants in containers are more likely to dry out due to sun and wind exposure.
Grow Tall Gardens
Cucumbers, squash and melon plants take up plenty of space when they're sprawling across your ground. But getting them off the ground is an ideal solution for maximizing your harvest in a minimum amount of area. Installing a trellis next to plants allows you to direct vine plants' growth upward, while protecting fruit and vegetables from ground rot and pests. Using nylon netting, like Trellis Netting, around your container pots, a porch railing or your garden beds is a great and durable way to encourage climbing vines. With good management, you will have beautiful fruits and vegetables available this summer for cooking, canning and snacking - saving you money at the grocery store and giving your family safe and healthy food options.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
