Posted in Homestead Garden and Farm
Hey, thanks to all of you who participated last week! It was really fun to read about your gardens. Since so many seemed to enjoy it, thought we'd continue this week with a few more questions
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"How Does Your Garden Grow"
1. Share your favorite fertilizer- product you buy, recipe you make, etc. I love Ladybug Brand fertilizers. They are organic and I've had excellent results with them. I also use lots of compost to help keep things healthy and growing well.
2. What do you use to get rid of those pesky critters that want to munch your greenery? Soapy water is a simple but effective method for most bugs. A few shakes of cayenne pepper in the soapy water will kill squash bugs and other pests, quick! A sprinkling of diatomaceous earth will keep out the slimy slugs and snails.
3. Do you start seeds indoors to transplant later? If so, do you use a lighting system, or just place them in a sunny windowsill? I start a few things indoors, but don't do a lot due to space issues. I have a flourescent fixture that we hang from the ceiling with hooks and a chain. That way I can adjust the height of the light as things begin to grow. I've used the windowill, but find that my plants always end up s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g toward the light, and I end up with skinny weak seedlings. A greenhouse would be a dream come true for this!
4. What do you use to start your seedlings in? Peat pots, mini-greenhouse systems, recycled containers, etc. I like the "greenhouse" kits that you can buy at Wal-Mart or garden centers- the ones that have the tray, six-pack containers, and a clear lid. I save them to reuse for several years. I also sometimes use peat pots in the recycled greenhouses, and use recycled small pots. I've even used recycled yogurt containers, and other things when I run out of pots.
5. When does your garden season begin, or do you garden year 'round? It's just about time to begin planting cool season crops here in my part of Texas. I have seeds for spinach, sugar snap peas, lettuce, beets, and radishes waiting to be planted. There are some things that will overwinter here, and this year I may just try to have a "four-season garden".
6. Share a favorite tip, trick, idea, garden book, website, or something with us, please! I love this book: Lasagna Gardening for Small Spaces by Patricia Lanza. I have gotten many great ideas and insight on just how many things will grow in very small areas. The book also has lots of recipes from the restaurant at their garden business- The Potager.
OK, have fun answering these on your blog, then leave a comment here so we can stop by and read about "how your garden grows"!
Blessings,
