How does your garden grow? Now that we are a month into Spring, our thoughts turn to the new life of the season. I’ve been gardening for pretty much my entire life. My dad was an organic gardener in 1970 when the concept was new and unusual. Using natural, organic methods to fertilize and protect your vegetable crops was not the norm in those times of spraying chemicals to do the same. I’ve kept up his practice and all my gardens are organic.
I would like to touch on a couple of aspects of gardening from both the growing view and what it does for our healthy well being. Let’s start with the plants. There are two schools of thought during the growing season-start your own seeds or buy small plants. I am a proponent of both. I usually start my tomatoes and peppers from seed but I do purchase backup plants and other varieties for the season! I am also a huge fan of the container garden. Having lived most of my adult life in apartment type dwellings, I was always at a loss for a large space to garden. So I became very well versed in the use of containers. I’ve grown almost any vegetable you can in a container-tomatoes, tomatillos, cucumbers, peppers, corn, carrots, lettuce, peas, zucchini, peas to name a few. All successful with an actual, edible crop! I do not use any chemicals for fertilizer or pest protections.
By choosing the right container for the food you would like to grow, you are on the way to a successful bounty. If you are a beginning gardener, choose a few veggies to grow and see how you like what happens. The most popular are tomatoes, peppers and herbs. I like to use regular old terra cotta pots and always use potting soil. I would get a pot that is at least six inches in diameter and ten to 12 inches high with a drainage hole. I’ve actually grown a beautiful crop of basil in a big plastic planter so you can try those types of pots as well. As much in life, it is really your personal preference. As a California transplant, I’ve learned any seedlings or plants should not be put outside until at least May 1st or the threat of frost is gone. Tomatoes and peppers love to be watered and at least half a day of sun. The more sun the better. If you’re mostly shade, you may have a problem getting the plants to flower. Next up are herbs! I love fresh herbs and always have them year round both outside and inside. Over wintering is hard but it can be done with hardy plants. Try a large terracotta or plastic bowl with a drainage hole(s) and you’re set. Same thing, potting soil and lots of care. If you’d like to learn more on how to grow your own veggies and herbs, I’m also a certified expert in the use of herbs; sign up for my gardening sessions here: https://kimgerhardt.com/event/grown-food-make-meal/ and contact me for more info!
The other wonderful effect of gardening is stress relief. We all have some form of stress in our lives. Could be a little, could be a lot. Taking a plant whether veggie or flower, from seed to plant or plant to producing plant is a zen process. You get to be outdoors in the sun, hopefully, and fresh air. It’s all up to you to make the decision as to what to grow. You get to watch the progress from where ever you start and it’s a great feeling. You made your own food! Grab some seeds, some dirt, a big spoon and a pot and even your favorite gardening attire and have at it. Be part of the earth, it’s a beautiful thing. Namaste.
These are my beefsteak tomato seedlings in honor of my dad just peeking up from their dirt cribs:
https://www.thespruce.com/container-vegetable-gardening-1403396
*Disclaimer:
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Kim Gerhardt, Certified Health Coach, does not take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.
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