Here it is 2009. Looking back, what can we learn from 08? Well I learned that the economy is not getting better anytime soon, and that there have been through enough scares with our food supplies and that of our pets that it is time to grow even more of our own food. I’ve been in this business for 30 years now, and it amazes me still, how people make some things way too hard and others way to simple. When it comes to gardening, of any kind, here in North Texas the main thing, the MOST important thing to do FIRST, is to fix the soil, NOT just put some hauled in “stuff” on top of your existing soil.
“Stuff” that large composting companies offer as organic products may be so because they are made from carbon materials, but who really knows what is in the final product? Ground up pallets, treated wood, contaminated wood and last seasons bedding plants with all the slow release NONorganic fertilizers, fungicides and more cides. Not the organic products that I would want on my property, and worse in my vegetable garden.
If you thank that all you have to do is spread these purchased soils over your predetermined plot you may as well place it on top of the driveway.
As much as we complain about our black clay soils, we should not. Our clay soil is actually very nutritious, and all it needs is good clean organic matter worked into it. The first time you till it is by far the hardest. For some reason, so many people either dig out all the good nutritious native soil-creating a big bathtub (and a sore back), and then import “crap” missing the value of our native soil.
When it come to soil preparation, the other big mistake people make, is that they try to till in organic matter that is not fully composted, like leaves, grass clippings, mulch, and the existing grass and weeds gathered from their lawns and those around them. All organic matter from your lawn will make a great additive for your garden, but you can’t plant in those beds until it has all decomposed. Nitrogen is needed for composting. As organic matter breaks down it may leach nitrogen from plants nearby, including your freshly planted vegetable transplants. So, create a compost pile near your garden. For better results add nitrogen and trace minerals to your compost in preparation for it’s use in your garden.
When it comes to designating an area specifically for garden use, there are two common mistakes that first time gardeners make. The first mistake is that they don’t build the plot in areas with enough sun, and enough air circulation. Fences, structures even shrubs and trees can eventually ruin what was one a perfect garden spot. Plan ahead.
Another big problem that can be avoided by not being to over zealous with a new garden is they plant too much. Eventually the plants become overcrowded or they can’t find the time to take care of all the plants. Then they get frustrated and disappointed and before they get any harvest they give up.
Vegetable gardening is supposed to be fun and easy, but you do have to learn how to do it. And by the way, if you can learn to garden in North Texas -you can garden anywhere! Our weather makes it challenging.
If you are planning a garden, your first, I would suggest you start with the easier plants to grow, and control your urges to till the whole backyard. Wait until you see if you have enough time to keep up with the watering, weeding, and even the harvesting. Once you learn to take care of what you have expand your garden. The easiest plants to grow here are okra, peppers of all kinds, and eggplants, in the summer, and all the greens, radishes, carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, leeks, etc. in the fall winter and spring.
What no tomatoes? Tomatoes can be grown here very well—but they are not the easiest. They take up more space than most people want to give them-they can’t be crowded. They need proper watering, which means deep thorough drenching and they do NOT like to wilt between watering—or—here come the spider mites! Tomatoes, like all other vegetables, need to have enough fertilizer in order to produce fruit, and replace what all the watering and Texas heat do away with.
Tomatoes like other vegetables and for that matter landscape plants will do better when a thick layer of mulch is added. A thick layer of mulch, three inches will help keep the soil moisture more even, the soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. An added benefit is that mulch will help control weeds from competing or taking over the garden.
A very important part of maintaining your garden, besides watering, weeding, and harvesting, is observation. Daily observation! This will allow you to detect diseases or insect problems before they get established. Nip them in the bud as early as possible.
For you beginners that means, putting the creature or sick leaves in a baggy, and bringing it down for us to identify. Coming in or calling us to say my plants are full of bugs, I want to kill everything does not fly with us. You will always kill more good than bad that way. The other comment that doesn’t do you any good is: My plants just don’t look good, they look sick. BRING IN SAMPLES!!! Or Google the specific plant and add a brief description of the bug or leaf discoloration. It helps if you click on image so that you can look at specific photos.
A very old but little known practice used in vegetable garden, is to plant herbs in with the vegetables. This helps in several ways, the first being that the strong aromas of the herbs help to confuse the insects that may be hunting for tomatoes or squash. Secondly the blooms of herbs, especially basil are a great attractant for bees, and we all know how important they are. And thirdly, it’s handy to have your herbs and veggies together when picking for supper.
Finally very few people keep their soils “spruced up”. Which means adding a little more compost, manure, and minerals every fall, and spring, to replace what was used up the season before.
This is what I did, and it took me three years to turn my black “concrete” into TV dirt, you know that potting soil looking soil those TV gardeners have. Unfortunately here in North Texas, you will probably need to spend more on the initial bed preparation, than you will on the plants, no matter what you are growing.
Gardens for Kids
Schools have garden plots for their students allowing them the excitement of planting and then reaping the benefits of their efforts. The excitement that I have seen and heard from school kids as they come to my store and explain the different stages of their little plants life is contagious, better yet, some come bringing samples of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and more. Ah, the joy of children and fresh veggies!
So, why do we not have small plots at home where we can get a project going with our kids or grandkids? In today’s society we work hard, both parents, to give our kids everything that they need. But we, I, forget the main reason for bringing children into our lives. To love and bond with them. To teach them!
Hopefully we will create memories that they will pass on to their children. Fond memories that they will want to share with their kids. Hopefully duplicate with less effort because we showed them the way. It would not take much; you can grow a tomato in a pot. As the plant grows so will the love of your child.
Don't Be a Bore
Today is Saturday January 17th. What started out as a cloudy, cold morning turned out to be a beautiful warm afternoon. I am surprised that we have had one of our best days at the store since November. Several people have come in to buy compost, as they were getting ready to enlarge or create new beds. Instead of staying in the house watching TV or being bored they ventured into what some have called the wilds of their backyard. Many gardeners are transplanting plants to better locations or to give more space for others to grow.
I hope that many of you do the same. Overcrowding plants is a big deal since air circulation can be minimized causing disease, branches can shade plants or deform others.
Take advantage of your time at home to walk the property and determine which plants can be moved to increase the health of others. Once you have determined that a plant must go and that it is healthy enough to put your efforts into transplanting it to a better location, prepare the bed first. DO NOT dig it up and set it aside for next weeks project.
When you do get around to digging it up, determine if you should cut it back. More than likely you will since you want top growth to balance root growth. Do not deform the plant when cutting it back. Selectively prune it to remove enough branches but keep it natural looking. When planting make sure that you do not plant it too deep. Backfill with a loose soil and then water it and add more dirt until you are satisfied that all air pockets have been filled. Transplants can use some help getting acquainted with their new digs. Green Sense kelp will help promote root growth.
During your walk around your property you may see a plant that just does not look happy or maybe it died of boredom. Not able to produce flowers, fruit or even leaves because it was planted in the wrong place. Replace it with something completely different, something that you do not know anything about.
By doing this you may add some excitement to that area of the lawn, something that will make you venture out more often and train you to inspect your lawn as you try and find the beauty of your new plant.
Plant a tree now for years of shade later on. Pick the right tree for the right spot. Do not plant a tree that you already have growing in your lawn. Don’t be a bore. Look for flowers and color that may be the beginning of a whole new project.