Garden Tip of the Week

Tip #1: Plant One New Edible Every Week

Eating rice and beans every day can get old, but you won’t have that problem if your garden offers up small bites of you and/or your family’s favorite veggies, such as Turnip, Zucchini, Cauliflower, or Broccoli. I like to dedicate several rows of “this-and-that” crops that I sow in small pinches. Organizing the garden this way keeps these crops from getting lost and gives me a place to try unfamiliar veggies. Always remember to pay attention to companion growing techniques. This way you will increase the efficiency of your crop production.

Tip #2: Interplant Compatible Crops

When growing a summer crop such as tomatoes, I plant lettuce and spinach to grow in the shade of the taller plants. I also like growing a crop that takes a while, such as carrots, alongside a faster-growing crop such as radishes, which will be ready in only 30 days. TIP: Plant tubbers such as Turnips, Carrots and Onions in between other crops. The tubbers will help to create aeration in the soil as well some of them (tubbers) act as natural bug repellent.

Tip# 3: Reducing Planters and Pot Weight

You can take the strain out of lifting large planters and/or pots by simply filling the pot one-third to one-half full with packing peanuts. Be sure to place a piece of landscape fabric on top of the packing peanuts and then layer on your potting soil. To reduce the weight of the pot further, use a potting mix with lots of vermiculite and peat moss.

Tip #4: Replant Roots and Root Cuttings

Replant the roots of plant or cutting is a sure way to double back on your yields. This works great with green onions and leeks, and celery, potentially giving you brand new veggies in three weeks or less. In climates with long, warm summers, many gardeners root cuttings taken from tomatoes in early summer and grow them as an early fall crop.

Tip #5: Grow Crops That Store Themselves

As long as they’re handled gently and given time to cure, dry beans, garlic, Sweet Yellow Onions, sweet potatoes and winter squash will keep for months in a cool, dry place — no processing required. Growing types that store for a long time, such as butternut squash and shallots, will allow you to eat fresh food from your garden all winter.

Keep It Growing!

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