Gardening

Last time I posted my garden was brown now it’s green! We are currently eating peas, lettuce, and green onions from the garden. There is a large green tomato that should be ready in a few weeks and lots more on the way. My favorite thing to grow in the garden is a tomato-there’s nothing like home grown and fresh. Unfortunately this year I needed to rotate the tomatoes from the growing area, this helps prevent disease, so I only have one planted right now.

Things are looking good however, I did have a problem with the beans coming up so I had to plant again last week. Not sure what happened, but I did see some just starting to come up so hopefully the second plant will produce enough so I can can them.

The bugs are starting to come out, I use seven dust to keep the bugs from killing my tomato and pepper plants. I usually start in June and dust every two weeks through October.

I did add another layer of newspaper to keep the weeds out. Since we’ve been getting so much heavy rain, I felt like another layer wouldn’t hurt.

Happy Gardening!

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First off I just want you to know that this is the 4th year that I’ve had a garden. I am by no means a garden expert, but I will share with you things I have learned.

Can I just tell you to that gardening is SO different here in the Midwest than in the West where I grew up! My biggest complaint would be the soil-it’s all clay!

I have two garden areas in my yard. This one pictured above has a lot more shade than the other spot below. I planted yellow squash, zucchini, bell peppers, green onions, peas, lettuce, and a tomato in this spot pictured above

The picture below has squash zucchini, beans (I’m hoping to can these this year), carrotts, beets, onions, green onions, peas, and bell peppers. This year I decided to try some bell peppers in pots so I have two of those and also a basil plant in a corner of my yard. I’m also hoping to try an upside down hanging tomato plant, but I’m working out the where am I going to hand it issues.

When I plant tomatoes, peppers, and squash I build big mounds to plant them in.  There are two spots in my garden that have drainage issues, so I find that this helps with the soil drainage.

I also wanted to share with you an inexpensive way to keep the weeds out! This method works well around big plants like tomatoes, squash, peppers, and in your walkways. Gather some newspapers and lay the newspapers in your garden where you don’t want the weeds and where there are no seeds growing. Be sure that there are no “cracks” in the newspapers or the weeds will be able to come through.

When you’re done laying the newspapers spray them down with water until they are wet. For some good reason the weeds can’t get through wet newspaper!

Next  put some kind of mulch on top of the newspapers. I use my lawn clippings. Be sure the newspapers are covered well with the mulch. Throughout the summer I put more clippings on as needed, it turns out to be about once a month. That’s all you need to do to keep the weeds out! 

For anyone who hasn’t started gardening I encourage you to try to plant one thing. Even if it’s in a pot! If you need help starting out read Becoming Garden Ready.

I have to be honest and tell you I do not like to garden. I do like the end result of fresh produce in my backyard and that’s why I make the effort to grow a garden!

View other Frugal tips at I Am a Money Magnet!

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The Mississippi State University Extension Service Soil Testing Laboratory analyzes soil and plant samples submitted by clienteles for fertility recommendations and problem solving. Soil tests measure available nutrients in the soil and serve as the best guide to profitable use of commercial liming and fertilizing materials. Without a sound soil testing program, crop yield potential can be reduced and low crop productivity can occur through lack of liming and over fertilization.

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