The Yard Farmer

In any garden, soil is the foundation that is responsible for a healthy, green garden. Soil is a complex mixture of mineral and organic matter as well as living organisms. This complex mixture is the one that makes soil capable of sustaining life. For any gardener, prepping the soil it a crucial task as any garden enthusiast will know that no amount of fertilizer, water or other means of regulation will have effects on plants as profound as healthy gardening soil.

Nutrition for plants

Soil has several other functions apart from anchoring the plant. It also provides certain chemical and physical properties. The roots of plants require oxygen to be present in the soil to allow the roots to breathe. Water retentive soil is always ideal though variations slightly differ according the plants needs or optimum quality.

What is Soil?

OK so we know what benefits soil gives to plants and all that other info. But what is it really apart from black looking ground material? The main ingredient that makes up soil is inorganic mineral particles which are stuff like clay, sand, silt, rocks and mulch. Between the cavities that are formed in the particles, water and oxygen reside. Basically, soil has three major components which are clay, sand and silt.

Facts and figures of the three major components:

Clay: Clay is small, flat and sticky and is about 1/17000 inch in size

Silt: This particle is rounded and is about 10 to 15 times larger than their clay counterparts

Sand: A common ingredient in soil and is much larger than clay, about 50 to 1000 times large. This also depends on the type of grade sand is used.

Loam: Loam is a mixture of 3 particles in equal proportions. There are different types of loam from sandy loam which contains more sand than clay or silt and there’s the loamy clay that contains more clay and sand and silt. Different types of loam have different types of advantages and disadvantages.

If it is a sandy loam, than it allows plenty of oxygen in the soil thanks to its large spaces in between them but this loam also allows for water to be drained out to quickly below the root zone, washing out fertilizer nutrients in the process.

Loamy clay is the opposite of the light texture as it packs down leaving very small spaces which enable water to fill. Roots tend to have difficulty in growing in clay particles because of its sticky texture. Though that, clay is good for holding on to fertilizer nutrients.

Good gardening soil means good and healthy plants will grow. It enhances the plant, providing the proper nutrients and it also ensures the growth cycle of a plant it at its optimum level. Reading of the type of plants and its nutrition needs will help you prepare a proper soil foundation for the plant to thrive on. Adding mulch into the soil also gives the plants added nutrition and stabilizes the pH levels in the soil according to what is included into its components.

Home gardening is always the best when you want fresh, clean and unpolluted and no chemically enhanced vegetables. There are so many benefits where home vegetable gardens are concerned. Apart from providing you with fresh fruits and vegetables they also provide aesthetic quality to your home.

Imagine rows and rows of beautiful, well cared for vegetable gardens with red tomatoes growing, evergreen lettuce and other vegetables? Apart from the visual benefits, you can also earn some extra money out of it. You save a lot from buying vegetables outside and you can also sell them or make jams out of the herbs or fruits and make a profit out of it.

Your vegetable garden can also turn out to be the best thing ever when it comes to making gifts for your family. There are a lot of vegetable and herbs gift ideas that you can come up with or source out on the net when holiday seasons are coming and you are up in worry on not knowing what to get. From jams to herbal scented soap, to fresh product from the garden, to pickled vegetables in decorative glasses, these are all remarkable gift ideas.

If you want to start your own home vegetable garden, then probably one of the first steps is to decide what kind of vegetables you are interested, or the kinds that you use most often. Once you have decided on this, other elements such as soil type, space and weather conditions will have narrow down your selection and make it easier to plan your garden.

Home vegetable garden provide you and your family with the tastiest and nutritious vegetables you can ever get from any market and it’s really exciting to actually eat what you have grown.

Some of the issues that you would need to look into then starting up a home vegetable garden is:

1. Compost-are you making your own or buying it?
2. How do I plan out my home garden?
3. How to I prepare the soil for my garden?
4. When do I need raised beds?
5. What kind of fertilizers do I need?

If you are new to gardening, then a good way to protect your garden should be by surrounding it by a fence that is sufficiently high and close woven to keep away dogs, rabbits, cats, birds and any other animal that might pose a threat to your growing garden.

Damage done by animals are a nuisance and fencing the area is a humane way to keep these animals away and at the same time providing the protection needed for your growing garden. Fencing also provides support for creeper vegetables as it serves as a trellis for beans, tomatoes, peas and other crops that need support.

Rodents are another pest to deal with where garden crops are concerned. Moles, mice, rats, squirrels and prairie dogs cause much injury to your plants, hindering the growth cycle. They also cause the soil to dry out around the roots and can destroy newly planted seeds and young plants.

Lettuce is one of the popular forms of leafy green vegetables. It is not only versatile to be used in many dishes and sandwiches; it is also easy to grow. In gardening, lettuce is one of the first crops that can be planted and harvested in spring. Lettuces do well in containers and where there is small space though an adequate amount of space should be left in between to lettuce heads so that it doesn’t get crowded. Here are a few tips on growing lettuce:

Tips on Growing Lettuce

1. You can start planting well ahead 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost date
2. In the fall, you can start about 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost date
3. Lettuce are very productive in gardens so it is better to be harvested early than late
4. About 5 hours or more of sunlight a day is adequate but it doesn’t fair well if temperatures are too hot
5. A light application of fertilizer is sufficient as lettuces are generally light feeders.
6. Keep soil to a pH level of 6 to 7.5
7. Soil depth should at least be 6 to 8 inches especially if using container
8. Spacing for lettuces depends on the variety that you are planting but generally, it should be at least 8 inches apart to 14 inches apart
9. Watering should be done at least half to an inch a week and it needs to be consistent as lettuce leaves thrive on water

Just like potatoes, lettuces also come in different varieties. Here are some of the most commonly used types of lettuces:

Leaf Lettuce: This is the most heat tolerant and easiest to grow of all lettuce varieties. The leaf lettuce is loosely bunched instead of having a tight head and comes in many types and colors. Quick to grow, this lettuce’s harvest time can be extended just by simply cutting a few leaves at a time or cutting a couple of inches above ground level. Some of the famous varieties of leaf lettuces are Black Seeded Simpson, Early Curled Simpson, Red Sails and Oak Leaf Lettuce.

Butterhead Lettuce- this lettuce makes any sandwich taste scrumptious. The leaves form in a small frame with open heads and they get their name from the buttery center of the head. This variety is the smallest in the lettuce family and are a favorite for salads too. Of the popular varieties are Buttercrunch, Tom Thumb, Summer Bibb, and Little Gem.

Romaine- Also referred to as Cos, these types of lettuce are very colorful and they grow in a formation of upright clusters of leaves. Also a favorite for salads, some of the varieties include Dark Green Cos, Green Towers, and Ideal Cos.

Crisphead- One of the traditional forms of head lettuce. Harvest is only done once and then there would be no second wave of lettuce. Among the common varieties are Iceberg, Ithaca and Great Lakes.

Tomatoes aren’t hard to grow. In fact, by employing the proper steps and tips, you can promote the growth of healthy and luscious tomato plants in your garden. When planting tomatoes, there are certain common practices that can be cultivated especially if you are a novice.

Tomatoes are one of the most popular types of fruit and are commonly used for many dishes from gravy to pasta to curry and definitely in salads. There are so many varieties of tomato dishes making tomatoes one of the most sought after fruit. It not only provides wonderful taste, it also brings the dish to life with its vibrant and fiery color red.

Pre-Planting Preparation

Once of your essential preparations for tomato growing should be working the soil to be perfect for tomatoes. Normally, in soil preparation you should break up large clumps of dirt, remove debris and add light soil together with a little peat moss in to prep up and condition the soil.

Light is essential in growing tomatoes, as with any other plant so even if you are growing your tomatoes indoors, making sure there is enough sunlight. Either place your tomato garden near a sunny location on your yard or facing a window if it is indoors.

Planting

Tomato growing can be started once the frost has passed. You can start by planting the seeds or the plants and a highly organic and well drained soil with a Ph level of between 6 or 7 is essential. Raised beds are perfect for a tomato garden to achieve a well drained tomato garden. This raised bed should at least be 6 inches high.

You can also use tomato cages and you should space the plant anywhere from 2 to 4 feet apart. Once your tomato is planted, water the plants slowly and deeply as this promotes a strong root system which will result in healthy and tasty fruits.

Cages are pretty popular among gardeners due to its simplicity. The cage allows the tomato to grow in its natural manner but all the while keeping the fruit and leaves of the ground.

Caring for your Tomatoes

Once you have planted the tomato seeds, you need to give them proper care and nutrition so that you can yield a successful harvest. Of course, you would also need good mulch to go with the care and in most cases; organic compost can be used around the base of the plant within 2 to 3 inches. This will prevent water loss to the soil and it also aids in weed prevention. As always, keeping your plant properly hydrated is essential in the cycle of growing tomatoes.

When the fruit begins to develop, you can lightly work into the soil fertilizer and water thoroughly which is usually completed several inches away from the base of the plant itself.

Once this is done, with continuous light work done on the soil, adequate watering and checking the tomatoes, it will be right for harvesting in no time.

If you live in a high rise apartment or condominium, chances are that you do not have adequate space for gardening. That’s actually fine if you aren’t a garden enthusiast but what if you are? How can you channel that green passion in the comforts of your home? Well, there’s always indoor gardening that not only helps you channel all that green finger talent but it also gives you a new source for fresh produce. If you are the kind that loves the fresh smell of basil and other herbs, a good way to grow gardens indoors would be to grow your own herb garden.

All you would need is a nice window garden setting that gets at least 4 to 5 hours of sunlight daily. Some of the items that you could grow in your herb garden would be mint, rosemary, bay leaf, savory, oregano, chervil, and thyme. These are the easiest as well as commonly used herbs in pesto sauces, and roasting.

In order to grow gardens indoors, you must play by the rule of vegetative light cycle which is to have at least 18 hours of light- with 8 hours of natural light and the remaining to be artificial light. Different herbs require a little bit more light than others such as cilantro and basil. So to be on the safe side, an adequate of 8 to 10 hours of light daily will get you fresh cilantro for your mushroom soup or sprinkle oregano to spice up your fresh pesto.

Apart from proper lighting, you also need a good soil selection. With good soil, it is guaranteed that your herbs will have a stronger flavor. Good soil with the right amount of fertilizer will ensure that your plants also grow at a healthy rate. With the right amount of soil, and the right kind of soil, your plants will definitely get the nutrition needed. This also reduces the need for fertilizers to be used, so when you go shopping for soil, get the right kind for herbs.

Containers also play an important role for indoor grow garden purposes. Growing gardens in containers slightly differs from the actual land-I’m sure you already know that. That is why fertilizers are generally used in potted gardens compared to land. The sole reason being potted plants have less resource for food and when what’s in the pots run out; there isn’t anywhere else their roots can go looking for nutrients. Fertilizer helps keep the plant’s growth in check. Make sure to ask your botanist what is the right amount of fertilizer and soil that is perfect for your herb garden. Generally, coconut fiber with vermiculite and plant hormones are a great addition to the soil.

Aside from watering your plants at the right moment and feeding them the proper nutrients, you would so do good if you have additional boost in the form of 10ml of thrive alive B1 and liquid seaweed in every drop of water for your plants. This will, over time help in the healthy production of essential oils to your plants.

As soon as your herbs have grown enough leaves to be pinched out, which is about 4 to 6 weeks, it is all ready to be harvested. Essential oils come up at the end of the dark period, that is without 24 hours of light.

Finally, here is a method of growing food that is reliable (and I mean bomb proof). It also produces an abundance of food and is easy to understand. This package includes a fully illustrated step by step manual and over 60 minutes of video.