Gardening is one of those hobbies that can benefit from some reading and learning, but mostly there is only one way to become a better gardener. Don’t think just grow. Each yard is different. Each growing season is different. Trying to learn all the variables and plan for them before you start won’t be possible. You have to put the seeds in the ground, trust nature, and learn from your mistakes.

We moved into our house almost 3 summers ago and from the beginning, I wanted a garden. With a lot of things, I am a meticulous planner and I guess in some ways I still was with this, but largely I have been winging it for three summers. Luckily, it has been enough successes to keep me going. My stubbornness might also be helping me in this pursuit.

Our first summer

I spent an entire day photographing all areas of the yard roughly every hour. I had to know what was a sunny spot and what was more shade and for how many hours. Simple research that if not done would have made growing exponentially harder. After that, I had a plan concocted about where everything would eventually go. A few days later it was drawn roughly on graph paper! The planning and progress on the garden kind of stopped after that. Then came fall and we piled a bunch of leaves and dirt in the area and waited over the winter for mother nature to do her thing and make great soil

Our second summer

We dug up the area turned it over and planted some leftover zucchini seeds. Those seeds were the extent of my research. I could have tested the soil but figured lets put in some seeds and just see if they grow. Grow they did. The big lesson that summer is squash plants thrive just about anywhere. I also couldn’t keep the weeds at bay, not that the squash seemed to really mind. The plants didn’t even mind when Olive ripped off full leaves. Turns out my dog enjoys picking flowers and destroying plants. In the fall we added more leaves and counted on some more nature.

Our third summer

We gave it a little more this summer even got a little compost to mix into the soil and built a little fence to keep Olive out. I started my own tomato plants, drew everything on graph paper and once it was in the ground watched to see what would happen. I still have a horrible case of weeds! Those weeds need a much better solution for next year. I didn’t water enough and the size of my fruit suffered a little. Not the zucchini of course. That was and continues to be prolific. My little tomato starts produced all kinds of fruit and the squirrels seemed to enjoy their share as well. I enjoyed looking at the scarlet runner beans. Still have no idea how to cook them, but they look beautiful and the hummingbirds visited frequently.

Next year

I have big plans for next year! We are going to start by laying cardboard over the entire garden area, including the expansion we are planning. This should kill the weeds. Hopefully once and for all or at the very least to a manageable level. The cardboard should also break down quite a bit and create a very friendly place for earthworms which will improve the soil even more. Depending on the budget I would love to use some good compost soil to the garden to give it an even better nutrient boost. Maybe I will even finally test the soil. We are also hoping to add a second garden in the front of the house. We have a lot of shade so I take the sunny spots wherever I can get them. Big plans are how I roll. I usually get put in my place with time and money constraints, but I dream a good game. We will have to wait until next spring to see how far I get.

Do you have a garden? What is your favorite tip or lesson learned?

Weather isn’t exactly normal for anybody right now, except the recent snow in the Northeast. Here in the midwest, I am typing this with a window open in February. This is not normal. I feel bad enjoying it, knowing that climate change and people are likely the reason, but the amount of yard work I got done over the weekend has me conflicted!

 

Side note: Careful what you wish for when you think it will be great to have lots of trees in your yard!

I have spring fever something fierce right now and feel like I am counting the days to daylight savings and longer evenings. I am also dreaming of gardening and fresh produce. If you enjoy fresh produce from your yard or your local farm means you might have to plan and prep while it is, usually, still cold outside.

Now is the time to start thinking about starting seeds indoors, prepping your beds, and signing up for CSAs (community supported agriculture). CSAs are typically subscription based services offered by farms. You sign up and on an agreed date you pick up a box of field-fresh produce. As the beds are getting planted, farms that rely on CSA subscription as a revenue stream start planning for the number of shares they will sell so early March is typically when sign ups start.

If you are looking for a CSA in your area the easiest place to start is a google search for CSAs in your area or go talk to a farmer at the winter markets. I am a big fan of CSAs and it can really make you get creative about what’s for dinner. The last time I subscribed to a CSA I was in California and I had a blast trying to make sure I used everything.

I was giving it some thought this year and reached out to some friends to see what is around. I was excited to see there are not only vegetable CSAs, but meat as well. If you live in Indiana this is a great resource for local Community Supported Agriculture. Search around a little at the site while you are there. Sherry has put a lot of time and energy into creating a resource for all Hoosiers. The site will continue to grow as she meets more people.

Now if you live in Indianapolis, are a little unsure about a CSA, Growing Places has just the option for you. A shorter commitment so you can get your feet wet and an easy spot for pickup. As of Mid-February the application to apply has not come out yet so keep checking back or get on their mailing list so you don’t miss out.

If like me you are interested in growing your own vegetables you have some thinking to do about the soil, starting plants indoors, or buying them at a garden center when the time is right. I am personally and going to do a combination of the above to get my plants, but there is a third option for Indianapolis locals and not a lot more time to act on it so I wanted to make sure it got mentioned.

If you don’t have the space, the knowledge or the confidence to start your own plants this is a great option! They will start them for you and you will receive non-gmo, organically grown starts to put in your garden. I got the herb package last year and loved the convenience and that I knew exactly how they were grown before I took them home. That isn’t something you can get from shopping at the garden center. That March 1st deadline is fast approaching so be sure to get on it soon.

Do you know your garden plans for the summer? Got any tips for a first-time seed starter?