June 09, 2010
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Contents:
- Letter From the Editor
- Article: More Garden Less Work: Strategies for busy people
- Summer Gardening Calender
- End Note
Letter From The Editor
Living through the 1000 year flood in Nashville was quite a trip. So was the hurricane that came ripping through our neighborhood and took out our power for a few days and a major bridge on our street. The worst part about that was we couldn't see any of the coverage of what was going on. We heard helicopters flying overhead for days and couldn't see any of it on t.v.... bummer.
We have much to be thankful for though. Only our herb garden flooded, and most all of the 30+ square foot gardens at our our church community garden were washed away as well. All of that's easy to replace compared to those in our community who lost everything. Our hearts and prayers go out to those who lost so much more.
Blessings to all.
Julia
Article:
More Garden With Less Work: Strategies for managing your space, energy and time
Drawing up a garden plan is much like making a business plan. Let me explain.
Maybe it's just that I listen to Dan Miller and his helpful coaching strategies too much, but I truly believe that you must follow your passions and do what you love in business and in gardening.
To do this, it's beneficial to begin with the end in mind. After all, it's true what they say "If you don't know where you're going, how will you know when you're there?" A cliche for sure, but knowing where you want to go and how to get there is critical...even in gardening.
We all have dreams and visions for our life as well as for our garden. That's why your garden plan has to fit into your vision. It all needs to fit together.
Most of us are very busy but we still want our garden to look nice, or at least not get us into trouble with the neighborhood codes people. Whether you love garden work or hate it, knowing a few gardening strategies will help you achieve your goals.
Below I have recapped an article I recently read from the National Home Gardening Club called Strategies for managing your space, energy and time.
Review these six guidelines each time you plan a project, design a garden, or pursue any new vision that may have planted its seed in your brain. Each strategy will help you have more garden with less work.
Six Strategies for managing your space, energy, and time.
- Reduce repetitive tasks like mowing, edging, planting, pruning, raking leaves, picking up sticks, weeding, mulching, fertilizing, and pest control. You can probably think of more tasks so go ahead and add those to your list. Figure out how much time you are spending, or are willing to spend, on these tasks and plan accordingly.
- Choose what you will do. From the above list, which I'm sure you have made, see which things you actually like to do. Maybe you love mowing your lawn or edging. Great! Go for it! But, on the other hand, don't feel guilty if you decide to take down that huge oak tree because you're tired of picking up the nuts or racking the leaves every fall.
- Repeat what works. In business, if something works, keep doing it. Same in gardening. Have you been to a public garden or seen a neighbors yard with a landscaping idea that seems to work? Maybe it's a great color scheme they used with their annuals like red and white begonias, or pink petunias with gray dusty miller. Take notes on the botanical name, helpful to your landscape designer, as well as the common name if possible and use them in your garden. Be sure you have picked the right niche (see the next strategy) for your plant!
- Know your niches. It's a helpful business plan as well as a helpful garden plan. The dictionary defines a niche as:"A comfortable or suitable position in life or employment."
Your garden is made up of several different niches-ecological pockets that vary in terms of light, moisture, wind and soil. Matching your plants to these niches is the best way to assure gardening success. - Set nature free. You like having the freedom to pursue your God given talents and passions, right? Well, so do your plants! They all have their own personality and passions. Some love to run rampant all over your yard (sort of reminds me of our 25 year old when he was young) but then others are very content wherever they happen to be (our 22 year old.) You love them both equally but each has their own set of needs. So, likewise, be sure and put shade loving plants like hostas in low light areas and don't even purchase high maintenance plants like roses if you're not willing to take care of these babies.
- Grow what you love. Don't like radishes? Don't grow them! I actually did this last summer. Grew radishes...I hate them. I did it just because they are easy to grow. I'm a little older and little wiser now so I stick with plants I love like herbs. But, you may especially love bulbs, container gardening, bonsai, or bee keeping! It doesn't matter what it is, just find your own passion in gardening and "grow" for it!
Questions? Feel free to comment or ask a question here. This is new so be sure and check it out.
Now your questions and answers will be available for all to see as a web page so be sure and upload pictures and ask us anything (about gardening.) Learn more
Summer Garden Calender
- Leathery patches on the end of your tomatoes is a symptom of blossom-end rot. This occurs when too much rain is followed by a dry spell. Remove the affected fruit and throw away. Try to provide a more even supply of water. Next spring, two months before planting, apply lime where tomatoes will grow.
- Harvest herbs by mid morning after dew has evaporated. Learn how to make herb/spice blends, soaps and other crafts for gift giving this Christmas.
- Lawns with too much white clover means your soil lacks nitrogen. Fertilize warm-season grasses in June and cool-season grasses in fall.
- Stake your perennials with supports firmly in the ground before they get too tall. Deadhead and check for insect and disease regularly.
- Take time to smell the roses and check for spider mites while your at it! Use insecticidal soap if needed.
- It's okay to plant new shrubs in early June. Try some summer flowering varieties like hydrangeas which are also good for privacy. Learn more.
- Trees are perfect for tying a hammock to for a nice summer snooze! Needled evergreens may be pruned and shaped in June by cutting back the "candles" (new growth) with hand pruners on the top and sides.
- Consider using vines and ground covers for vertical gardening (growing up, not out.) It's pretty and it helps to insulate your home.
Cool Tool
This spring I made a new commitment. Our veggies and plants won't be ruined by insects. I've declared war on them. One of the weapons in my arsenal is a floating row cover. I've know about these for years, but never used one before until this year. Now I wouldn't be without them.
Floating row covers protect plants from frost and insects while letting in sunlight, water and air. The more I read about organic gardening, the more I realize how important they are for gardening success. The trick is to put them over your crop before the insects attack them.
Web Finds
These are our affiliates and how we make money online. If you want to support my efforts of bringing you up to date gardening info, please consider shopping with them by using our picture links below. Learn more about affiliate marketing.
These products really work. One jug will last several years. For instance, I've noticed that the hydrangeas I sprayed with it last spring still haven't been touched by the deer. Be sure and follow the directions while the "training process" is going on.
Did you know Amazon sells gardening tools and supplies? Yes indeed. You know they have the best prices on everything and you can trust them too.
Follow your passions using Site Sell to build your own profitable website. That's what I did!
End Note
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