Gardening Online » Vegetable Gardening

Front Yard Vegetable Garden

Christine — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:36:22 +0000

Front Yard Vegetable Garden

Front yard vegetable gardening is something that a lot of people are trying these days. I believe different is good, and planting veggies in the front yard looks just as good – if not better – than plain old patches of grass! This is a great way to utilize yard space and grow some delicious tomatoes, zucchini, or whatever you like!

This has been an item of much debate though. One woman was almost arrested and put in jail for planting vegetables in her front yard. The city had an ordinance against it, but in the end all charges were dropped. One idea if you are thinking about doing this, but are on the fence about it, is to start with the garden beds. Personally, I have started adding fresh herbs to the beds to utilize this space. Maybe after trying herbs, or small veggies, think about going bigger.

A front yard vegetable garden can be a beautiful thing for everyone involved!

How to garden: Starting a Vegetable Garden So, you’re thinking of starting a garden? Well, you have...
Organic gardening: How to grow an organic vegetable garden Have you ever noticed how expensive organic fruits and vegetables...
Organic gardening: How to grow an organic vegetable garden I love organic veggies and with Spring right around the...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Time to grow for it: Homegrown on your own

Christine — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:52:40 +0000

Time to grow for it: Homegrown on your own

(ARA) – Who would have thought getting dirt under your fingernails would ever be considered one of the hottest trends going? According to Doug Jimerson, garden core director for Better Homes and Gardens, “growing your own fruits, veggies and herbs is something Americans are doing in record numbers this season.”

“It’s cheaper to grow your own produce than buy it – one $3 tomato plant will yield pounds of produce all season long,” Jimerson says. “Plus, the produce you grow just tastes better than even your grocer’s best. And while it’s healthy to eat and grow your own, gardening is rapidly gaining popularity as a great way to get some exercise, relieve stress and spend healthful family bonding time.”

Eating foods grown in your own backyard means you won’t be contributing to the carbon footprint left behind by the “food miles” it takes to bring imported produce to your local grocers – so you’re helping the environment, too.

Growing vegetables is easier than you think. Plan it properly, and you can enjoy a healthy, homegrown harvest from the fruits of your labor – without having to spend hours tending it.

Gardening 101

Sunshine is sustenance – Vegetables need at least six hours of full sun per day. The easiest thing to do is to place your garden in full sunlight. Make sure it’s easily accessible for watering; if the garden is too far from your house it could get neglected. Check the last frost date in your region and wait until threat of frost is past before you begin planting.

No yard necessary – Gardening doesn’t require a lot of room – although if you have the space and time to go large, go for it!. Many popular vegetables and herbs grow just fine in containers, making them a great option for those with limited space. For smaller yards, raised beds are an easy, low-maintenance option. If your garden is going right into the ground, just turn the earth with a shovel, toss out roots and rocks, mix in a soil amendment for healthy soil, and plant.

Water relief – Water regularly, but avoid doing so during the heat of the day when evaporation will diminish the effectiveness of irrigation. Water to wet the soil about 8 inches deep, but don’t over-water.

Feed your food – All edible plants draw nutrients from the ground, and can quickly exhaust the soil without the help of a fertilizer. Always follow label directions.

Growing for it

Now that you’ve got an idea of the basics, it’s time to pick your plants.

Start with transplants – seedlings are way easier to get growing than seeds, so you’ll save loads of time and enjoy improved success. Fortunately, national purveyors like Bonnie Plants make it easy to find hardy, high-quality, regionally appropriate plants at your local garden retailers. Bonnie offers time-tested vegetable and herb favorites, as well as new varieties, in eco-friendly, biodegradable pots that not only reduce plastic waste in landfills, they reduce transplant shock. Simply tear off the bottom of the pot and set the whole thing – plant in pot – directly into the ground. Be sure to pay close attention to plant tags, they’re packed with facts and details to help you successfully grow your plants.

Here are some favorites to consider for your garden:

* Tomatoes – The most popular, most-grown vegetable, tomatoes are always a best bet. Disease-resistant Bonnie Original is a hardy, flavorful addition to any backyard garden. For containers or small spots, try Sweet n’ Neat, a prolific plant that sets fruit in grape-like clusters.

* Basil – The perfect complement to tomatoes, basil works well in gardens and containers. New Greek Columnar Basil is particularly bountiful, as it grows high, leafs out densely and rarely flowers. The flavor blends traditional basil with spicy overtones of cinnamon, allspice and cloves.

* Bell peppers – Versatile, flavorful and nutritious, bell peppers are great raw snacks and make an awesome ingredient for a variety of cuisines. Harvest peppers when they’re green or red when the vitamin levels are higher.

* Eggplant – Black Beauty is the quintessential eggplant with a deep purple, glossy skin and meaty texture, and thrives in hot weather. White-skinned varieties like Cloud Nine offer a sweeter, bitter-free flesh.

* Mints – Easy-to-grow mints are available in traditional spearmint and peppermint and in more exotic flavors like Bonnie Plant’s new apple mint, orange mint and even chocolate mint, which has a flavor that echoes the classic Girl Scout cookie.

Hefty harvest – The general rule: If it looks good enough to eat, it probably is. With many vegetables, the more you pick, the more the plant will produce. For more gardening tips, ideas and advice, visit www.bonnieplants.com.

How To Grow the Perfect Tomatoes Juicy delicious tomatoes – these fruits (yes, they are a...
Tips on Vertical Gardening Vertical gardening is the perfect answer to growing vining crops....
How to Grow Basil I love growing basil! Yes, that statement deserves an exclamation...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Harvesting, Curing and Storing Garlic

Christine — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 13:33:45 +0000

Garlic

I love garlic. I use it pretty much on a daily basis. If I’m not roasting it in olive oil and eating it with bread, I’m using it in a variety of delicious recipes. I have always thought about growing it and after watching this video, it seems quite simple!

The following information if from wikipedia.org and gives some of the background information on garlic: Allium sativum, commonly known as garlic, is a species in the onion genus, Allium. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive,and rakkyo. Dating back over 6,000 years, garlic is native to central Asia, and has long been a staple in the Mediterranean region, as well as a frequent seasoning in Asia, Africa, and Europe. It was known to Ancient Egyptians, and has been used throughout its history for both culinary andmedicinal purposes.

The following is great video that gives a lot of helpful tips when caring for garlic:

How to Grow Garlic Indoors I absolutely love garlic and can never eat too much...
Growing Herbs: How to Grow Garlic I go through garlic by the truckload. I find ways...
Growing Herbs : How to Grow Ginger I absolutely love and adore ginger! I use it weekly,...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

How to grow cucumbers

Christine — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:23:52 +0000

Growing cucumbers

Cucumbers are a glorious fruit. Yes, they are considered a fruit. Like the tomato many people consider them a veggie; however, they are truly considered a fruit. Light and refreshing and never overpowering, they are the perfect summertime snack. The reason they are so refreshing is because, technically, they are over 90% water. They’re perfect in salads, on sandwiches or served as crudite.

The cucumber is a creeping vine that roots in the ground and grows up trellises or other supporting frames, wrapping around supports with thin, spiraling tendrils. The plant has large leaves that form a canopy over the fruit. The fruit of the cucumber is roughly cylindrical, elongated with tapered ends, and may be as large as 24 in. long! Now that would be a wonderfully big pickle!

In this video the host talks about growing and gardening tips if you are looking to start growing cucumbers. I can already taste the delicious pickles!

Tips on Vertical Gardening Vertical gardening is the perfect answer to growing vining crops....
How To Grow the Perfect Tomatoes Juicy delicious tomatoes – these fruits (yes, they are a...
Growing Herbs : How to Grow Ginger I absolutely love and adore ginger! I use it weekly,...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Vegetable & Fruit Gardening : How to Grow Okra

Christine — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:48:34 +0000

Okra

I love, love, love okra! Having grown up in Oklahoma this was a veggie that was a regular at the dinner table, in cafes and diners. Now, I have to say it may be a veggie that is suited to the south, because it does not like the cold!

When I married my husband we were living in Los Angeles at the time. He was born and raised there, and had never had okra in his entire life! I have to say in all the years I lived in L.A., I don’t think I ever came across it on a menu or a meal. Such a shame, because it is so freaking delicious.

If you live in a hot climate, you may want to think about growing okra. In this video the host talks about some tips when trying to grow that delicious, especially when it is fried, veggie known as okra!

Vegetable Gardening: How to grow ginger This is another great video with wonderful tips on growing...
Organic gardening: How to grow an organic vegetable garden I love organic veggies and with Spring right around the...
How to garden: Starting a Vegetable Garden So, you’re thinking of starting a garden? Well, you have...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

How to garden: Starting a Vegetable Garden

Christine — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:38:19 +0000

Tips on veggie gardening

So, you’re thinking of starting a garden? Well, you have came to the right place! Gardening Online Magazine is dedicated to giving tips, hints and tricks for growing that successful — and sometimes delicious — gardens!

The following video is on how to start a vegetable garden. I love vegetable gardens and find them quite easy to maintain. My other favorite garden to grow is herbs! Like the veggies, they are pretty low maintenance and easy to upkeep.

So the great thing about this video is it breaks it down to the three fundamental elements to a successful vegetable garden: sun, soil & water. If you have that down, you are sure to have a bounty of veggies on their way! I can already taste the tomatoes, zucchini and cucumbers – me oh, my! So if you are interested in a few tips on starting a veggie garden check out the video below and let us know what you think!

Tips on growing veggies Growing vegetables can be easier than you may think. You...
Organic gardening: How to grow an organic vegetable garden Have you ever noticed how expensive organic fruits and vegetables...
Vegetable Gardening: How to grow ginger This is another great video with wonderful tips on growing...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Vegetable Gardening: How to grow ginger

Christine — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:31:18 +0000

Vegetable Gardening: How to grow ginger

This is another great video with wonderful tips on growing indoors, or container gardening. This time we’re talking about ginger! I so love ginger in a variety of culinary uses. I like to use it as a base with garlic, shallots and peppers when making pulled pork. I also love to boil ginger down into a simple syrup to be used in cocktails and on desserts!

Ginger is the rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale, consumed as a delicacy, medicine, or spice. It lends its name to its genus and family (Zingiberaceae). Other notable members of this plant family are turmeric, cardamom, and galangal.

Ginger cultivation began in South Asia and has since spread to East Africa and the Caribbean. It is sometimes called ginger root to distinguish it from other things that share the name ginger. Ginger from Gilligan’s Island? Ok, maybe not, but you know what I mean.

So this video shows some great tips on growing delicious ginger indoors! I also love how the ginger leaves are so pretty.

Growing Herbs : How to Grow Ginger I absolutely love and adore ginger! I use it weekly,...
Organic gardening: How to grow an organic vegetable garden I love organic veggies and with Spring right around the...
Organic gardening: How to grow an organic vegetable garden Have you ever noticed how expensive organic fruits and vegetables...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

How to Grow Garlic Indoors

Christine — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:24:06 +0000

How to Grow Garlic Indoors

I absolutely love garlic and can never eat too much of it. I find that garlic is a very fundamental base in creating delicious dishes! It is also quite good for you.

Garlic is a species of onion and its close relatives are onion, shallot, leek and chive. These are pretty much all of my favorite things in the produce department of my local Whole Foods. It has been a long time staple of the Mediterranean region, as well as a frequent seasoning in Africa, Asia and of course, Europe! After all, what would Italian food be without garlic?

From roasting garlic and serving it with olive oil and bread, to chopping and adding to bruschetta, garlic is the perfect, and stinky, little gift from God for me. This is a super wonderful video showing how easy it is to grow garlic indoors! With just a few supplies and simple steps, fresh garlic is at your fingertips. I’m starting my garlic patch this weekend!

Growing Herbs: How to Grow Garlic I go through garlic by the truckload. I find ways...
Turnip Greens – From Garden to Table! I absolutly love turnip greens and this clip is from...
Growing Herbs : How to Grow Ginger I absolutely love and adore ginger! I use it weekly,...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Turnip Greens – From Garden to Table!

Christine — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:31:46 +0000

Turnip Greens - From Garden to Table!

I absolutly love turnip greens and this clip is from Grow. Cook. Eat! I love the idea of planting a nice patch of fruits and vegetables, that will later be harvested for my own dining pleasure! I find in these days and times, you never know when self-sufficieny will be of the utmost importance.

In this video the host shows, how to grow, take care and maintain a patch of turnip greens. One thing to remember is greens really, really wilt down. It is amazing how a big bunch of greens can turn into a small bowl that makes a single serving.

Also featured in this video is a great recipe on how to make turnip greens. She sautés them with a bit of olive oil, onion, white wine, vegetable broth and garlic. That recipe sounds absolutely heavenly to me! Also, these greens are truly so good for the body! In fact it is recommended to eat green on a daily basis.

Growing Strawberries Tips & Tricks I absolutely love strawberries! This juicy little berry is so...
Grow Your Own Food: Blackberries Blackberries are without a doubt my favorite fruit. On their...
Spring Time Fruits & Vegetables! As I recently blogged about Spring time flowers, I thought...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Tips on growing veggies

Christine — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:32:44 +0000

Veggie Gardening Tips

Growing vegetables can be easier than you may think. You just need a small plot of land, or even some pots, to start your very own veggie garden. I believe the easiest veggie to start growing was tomatoes. For me, my tomatoes sprouted up in almost no time.

One thing to think of when growing veggies is little critters that like to eat those veggies. In this video the host talks about using video tape to blow in the wind and keep the birds away. This a way to keep the pests away without harming them. Another idea I have heard is to use old CD’s. The reflections of the light keeps the bird away.

In this video he touches on also growing flowers near your veggies to attract beneficial insects. This is an important key to attracting pollenated insects. Any tricks and tips to help your garden grow, is what we’re all about here at Gardening Online Magazine!

How To Grow the Perfect Tomatoes Juicy delicious tomatoes – these fruits (yes, they are a...
Gardening Tips – Tomato Plants I have had the worst luck growing tomatoes. Perhaps, it...
Organic gardening: How to grow an organic vegetable garden Have you ever noticed how expensive organic fruits and vegetables...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.