Planning A Vegetable Garden

0

Posted by | Posted in Garden Layout | Posted on 20-08-2011

Tags:

Planning A Vegetable Garden At Our House

Heirloom Seeds And Plants

When I was a child, we would all visit my grandmothers in the country, it was a great time. I particularly remember her tomatoes all lined up in a row on the windowsill and all perfectly ripened for our visit, what a stroke of 'luck' that was! For many years I tried to rediscover that flavour, but to no avail. I figuredvqvax that Granny had some sort of secret, until that is my father told me the reason. You see, Granny's secret was simple, she kept the seeds from her plants for the following season and beyond, she collected seeds, and now 30 years on the practice has become heirloom seed collecting

More and more people are growing heirloom vegetables, in my case, I am immediately taken back to my grandmothers kitchen and those heady days of my childhood. There have, of course always been heirloom seed collectors, but they have pretty much been in small groups, or tight social networks (long before the internet stole the phrase). The increased support for heirloom vegetables has resulted in seed catalogues now stocking these items, and while modern hybrids are bred to be more hardy, or to give a better yield, heirloom growing means that you too can be taken back to the days gone by.

About the author: Seedparade are a Seed store

Based in the UK they are able to supply a large range of seeds for flower, fruit or vegetables, including herb seedsto produce stunning herbs for fragrance and cooking

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/heirloom-seeds-and-plants-1960683.html

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. QUESTION:
    Planning A Vegetable Garden Easily?
    Anyone know a way of planning a vegetable garden easily? I got a good free vegetable gardening guide at http://www.vegetablegardeninghelp.com thats good but I want to plan my garden to be like a japanese style vegetable garden.

    Does anyone know how to plan your garden to make it look this way? Thanks

    • ANSWER:
      I'm not sure just how a Japanese vegetable garden looks, but if you want easy gardening, you need to be doing gardening by the foot. Using untreated lumber (so the chemicals don't leach out into your vegetables), Build a bed about 12" high that's no more than 4' across so you can reach each square easily, but as long as you like. Then divide it into 1' squares with some type of divider (either string or small boards work). Each square will hold a different type of vegetable. You can plant a grid of 16 radishes or carrots, 9 turnips, you get the idea--it's all based on the size of the vegetable. As each space is harvested, you can reuse it. And since they're small spaces, weeding is not so much of a headache. If you really want an ornate look, you could stain or paint the outside of the boards. Also, there's an easy way to plant peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, or even squash. We put down black plastic, weight it down, cut x's in it every few feet, hold the plastic down with a "U" shaped piece of wire, and drop in the plant or seed (slightly larger holes for the seed, so they don't grow under the plastic). This keeps the moisture and heat in and the weeds out.

  2. QUESTION:
    Vegetable Garden planning software?
    My son has taken an interest in planting a vegetable garden. Is there an online source with a downloadable program to design the project? I want to nurture his interest, but don't want the yard to look horrible.

    • ANSWER:
      Try www.GrowVeg.com - there's a free 30 day trial and it helps you draw out the garden area, then add vegetables, herbs and fruit. It automatically spaces the plants, calculates how many you require and will show when to sow, plant and harvest them for your area. There's also a feature which emails you reminders of when to sow and plant each crop.
      Good luck!

  3. QUESTION:
    I live near Baton Rouge, LA and am planning a vegetable garden this year. what seeds should I be sowing Now?
    We are in zone 8-9 and our planting season begins around the middle of March. What seeds should I sew early so that they will be plants by the time I plant them? Thank you

    Also is there any veggies that aren't good for this area?

    • ANSWER:
      Try using the Jiffy 'greenhouse' that you can get at Wal-mart to start your seedlings. They run about for a 72 cell pack, and you can start more plants more cheaply this way and different varieties also.. Plants that you can start that grow well in this zone include: tomatoes, okra, eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, herbs. A good source for seeds is Parks seeds (mail order). A good choice for tomatoes are the cherry type.

  4. QUESTION:
    whats the best resource on the web for planning a vegetable and herb garden?
    i want a list to pick from for herbs and veggies - just a real simple "for dummies" or begginers site that will help me get started.

    • ANSWER:
      I suggest you google the name of your state, the phrase "beginner vegetable garden" or "beginner herb garden" and then add "site:edu" without the quotes. It will give you all the latest advice without the exaggerations you will get from retailers.

      The plants will vary depending on where you live. For example, here is a site for Indiana, for beginning vegetable garedners. . http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/beginner.html

      and here's one for herbs.
      http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/SavoryHerbs/SavoryHerbs.html

      The timing will also depend on where you live, but the practices are the same.

  5. QUESTION:
    When beginning a Vegetable Garden, what are good vegetable to begin with?
    I am getting ready to start on my first vegetable garden. This season I am just preparing the soil for planting season next year and planning my garden. I was wondering what vegetables are easiest for beginners, or what vegetables grow well together. I am trying to start in on this slowly and deliberatly so that I am not in over my head.

    Thanks in advance for you help!

    • ANSWER:
      -- Tomatoes grow like weeds
      -- Peppers are pretty easy if you have long warm summers
      -- If you like green beans, then they are worth growing and are very easy. They have the advantage that they enrich the soil where you grow them.
      -- If you have a wall or a trellis and can keep them well watered, try cucumbers.
      -- If you live in a cooler climate, you can try lettuce and radishes, but they grow bitter if the summer is hot.
      -- Don't forget to grow some herbs for flavoring, such as basil, mint, oregano, and thyme, which are all very easy.