| Spring is here and many people are contemplating | | | | have access to nourished soil and they provide |
| starting a garden. It's a great idea - you can save | | | | better a better alternative for food that would |
| money by growing your own food and it's also great | | | | normally go to waste. |
| for the environment. If you've always dreamed of | | | | 5. Indoor gardening - If your yard doesn't provide |
| starting a garden but didn't know how or where to | | | | enough space for you to create a raised bed garden |
| start - we've got 7 simple tips that can help you | | | | - don't fret! Any window that gets at least 6-8 hours |
| decide what kind of garden you want for your home, | | | | of sunlight a day can support a windowsill garden. If |
| and how you can get started: | | | | you are completely new to gardening and want to |
| 1. Picking the right spot - In urban environments, a | | | | simply get your feet wet, grow herbs first, which |
| gardener is usually limited to the amount of space | | | | provide a tasty compliment to any meal. |
| available. Vegetables generally need at least 6 hours | | | | 6. Rooftop gardens - If you're really limited on green |
| of sun per day, however if your yard is mostly | | | | space, look up! Rooftop gardens in urban areas are |
| shaded there are still a lot of great options available | | | | really gaining momentum. They take a little extra |
| for your garden. Leafy vegetables can grow with as | | | | work but they make great use of frequently unused |
| little as three hours of sun, or moderately spotty | | | | and wasted space. Make sure you are aware of local |
| shade, per day. Lettuce, arugula, collard greens and | | | | ordinances, rental property rules or home owner |
| even broccoli and peas can all thrive in a semi-shady | | | | association regulations before you begin constructing |
| environment. | | | | your garden oasis. Evaluate the structure of your |
| 2. Choose what you want to grow - Based on the | | | | rooftop, account for the increased amount of wind |
| locations available to you, make some wise choices | | | | your garden will be exposed to, and determine how |
| about what will grow in your garden. Many new | | | | you are going to get water to your rooftop garden. |
| gardeners like to start small in order to get the feel | | | | With a little hard work, you will not only be able to |
| for their newly acquired green-thumb. Vegetables like | | | | enjoy the food your garden provides, but you will |
| tomatoes, lettuce and beans give a longer harvest | | | | also create a relaxing summer retreat. |
| and are wise choices for a novice gardener. | | | | 7. Join a CSA - If you are unable to start your own |
| 3. Raised beds - If you have the space, a raised bed | | | | garden due to lack of proper space, time or any |
| can provide many benefits to your garden. Raised | | | | other reason, consider joining a CSA. CSAs |
| beds are built on top of your native soil, so if your | | | | (Community Supported Agriculture) are an |
| soil is not up to par, a raised bed offers the | | | | increasingly popular way for people to get fresh |
| alternative of incorporating non-native soil into your | | | | produce without having to grow it themselves. |
| garden. Proper soil is a crucial part of having a | | | | Members who subscribe to a CSA get a box of |
| successful garden and many people choose raised | | | | mixed variety produce once a week from a local |
| beds in order to have maximum control over this | | | | farm. A mutually beneficial relationship is formed |
| element. | | | | between the farmer, who gains financial support, and |
| 4. Compost - Speaking of soil, nothing helps plants | | | | the consumer, who receives a wide variety of foods |
| grow better than natural, organic fertilizer. You can | | | | harvested at their peak of freshness, ripeness, flavor |
| produce your own organic fertilizer by starting a | | | | and vitamin and mineral content. |
| compost pile. Compost is a soil conditioner, mulch and | | | | Whether it's in your backyard, your window or on |
| fertilizer all in one. Compost is created by layering | | | | your roof, a vegetable garden is a great way to |
| equal amounts of kitchen waste and soil and | | | | enjoy the freshest produce and the passing season |
| periodically turning the pile. Kitchen waste can include: | | | | by watching Mother Nature do her thing. You will |
| banana peels, egg shells, old lettuce leaves, coffee | | | | likely enjoy your food much more knowing all the |
| grounds, etc - almost any kind of organic matter can | | | | work that was put into it. Remember that you will |
| be used. You should not put meat scraps, dairy | | | | get better at gardening as the seasons and years go |
| products, wood ashes or sawdust in your compost | | | | by. Practice makes perfect. As you perfect this |
| pile as this waste has a negative effect on the | | | | pastime, make sure your friends and family are ready |
| decomposition of the pile. Composts can be hosted | | | | for the abundance of vegetables will likely be offering |
| directly in the ground, in bins or in back porch | | | | up to them when your garden really starts to take |
| compost tumblers. Compost piles are a great way to | | | | off. |