Easy Guidelines to Plant your Backyard Garden

I can be a procrastinator… and due to the weather/vacations/etc, I’ve delayed on planting my back porch city garden.

Starting a garden isn’t an easy task – some plants can be easier to grow and benefit from than others.

Luckily, I got some advice from MNN’s  Mother Nature Network to help my planting:

• Space out planting foods that have a short harvest season – so you always have something to benefit from than a limited time period of abundance. For example, lettuce is easily grown at the beginning and end of summer.
• Easiest garden foods for first timers include yellow squash, zucchini, potatoes, radishes and tomatoes.
• Try putting potatoes & zucchinis in a planting container to control their growth – otherwise they may overtake your garden. (This isn’t a problem for me since all my plants are grown in containers!)
• Radishes can tolerate shade and can bloom beginning 6 weeks from planting if you water them regularly
• Strawberries can be grown in a plot, window box or basket they may not be the most abundant if in a pot from experience…)
• Tomatoes are always fun for gardens and pots!
• Try growing some herbs – Dill, parsley, & chives are a few of the easiest that grow abundantly and reseed themselves yearly.  Anise, basil, lavender & mint will also enhance your garden with aromas and beauty.  (And i loveee basil, tomato and mozzarella sandwiches/salads courtesy of the garden...)
• 2 vital rules of gardening: 1) weed regularly (avoid those plant killers) and water in morning.

Readers, what do you have planned for your gardens this season?

Posted  by Julie