Going to the Gardens
There is something so compelling about the luscious displays of vegetables and herbs that entice you at the home improvement store. You’re still taking down the holiday lights and all of a sudden there are plants everywhere you look. Tomatoes, dill, watermelon, chives, squash – the list is endless and you fill a cart to take home: this may be the year you eat only fresh produce. Gardening experts say that home gardening has been on the rise for the last five years, and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Perhaps due to a continuing to decline economy, a backlash against preservatives and chemicals in food or a renewed interest in cultivating the earth, people are beginning to return to simple pleasures, as well as look for ways to supplement their grocery bill.
Want to get in on the gardening craze but aren’t sure where (or how) to start?
Consider signing up for a class at your local cooperative. Most communities have a gardening resource where you can find out what is best to plant in your growing zone, the right time to plant and what works best in your area. This is also a great way to meet other gardeners, many of whom are more than willing to swap plants and/or labor to help out a beginner.
Start small. Don’t feel as though you need to plow the entire backyard and sow ¼ acre of crops. Start with a few simple plants to boost your confidence and your skills. Tomatoes can be fun and easy to grow – they do well in a container or on a porch. A small herb garden can be lovely on a windowsill.
Try garden beds. Florida’s soil can be a challenge to grow in. If you don’t want to have to try to balance the sandy soil in your yard, consider making raised beds. Not only will it eliminate the mixing of soils, it will help keep weeds to a minimum. For the ultra lazy gardener – make cuts in bags of potting soil and plant your garden right in the bags. It virtually eliminates weeds, has pre-mixed fertilizer in the bag already – you’ll be growing in no time.
Don’t have a lot of space? Climb the walls with a vertical garden. Containers attached to the wall provide vertical growing areas – providing visual interest and easy harvesting.
Specialize with a garden featuring specific items. Love pizza? Plant an Italian garden – parsley, oregano, basil, along with grape tomatoes. Next time you make your own pizza, you can top it with herbs fresh from your own garden.
Planting with kids? Try an alphabet garden – find plants that start with every letter of the alphabet. Or look for themed garden ideas – make a fairy garden with miniature plants, an outer space galaxy with rocket flowers and sun, moon star watermelons…the sky is the limit.
Once you get bit with the gardening bug, you’ll be amazed at what you can grow in Florida. Another added bonus – our growing season lasts all year long, so you can have your garden in and producing before the snow even melts up north.