How to Start a Home Garden

January 5, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Are you dreaming of starting a home garden? Check out my tips on how to start a home garden.  I started home gardening about 10 years ago.  Since that time, I have obtained my Master Gardeners certification and reached out to beginner gardeners.  We all have to start somewhere in our gardening journey, and learning how to start a home garden is step 1.

Gardening can be therapeutic, and the benefits of growing fresh vegetables and beautiful flowers rewarding.  Unfortunately, many gardeners don’t know where to start.  I’m going to take the guess work out of that problem for you today.

 

how to start a home garden

 

How to Start a Home Garden:

Location, Location, Location – Deciding on a location is your most important decision.  Many issues that you encounter as a gardener can be rectified.  However, if you put your garden in the wrong location it will take work to relocate it.  So, think twice about where you want to put it before you begin.  I love looking out my window and seeing my garden.  Being able to watch it grow and become filled with fresh vegetables and beautiful flowers is so rewarding.  My grandchildren love looking out the window and looking at the sunflowers when they visit.  They love being greeted with a big smile each morning.

Sunshine  – The location you choose should receive at least 6 hours of sunshine.  More is even better.

Water – When you choose a spot for your garden, make sure you are able to water it from a rain barrel or water faucet.

Good Soil – If possible choose a location with good soil.  If the 3 elements above are met, you can amend the soil so your garden will be productive.  Do a soil test once you choose your site and send it to your local Extension , so you will know what your soil needs.

 

 

how to start a home garden

 

Know your Growing Zone – It’s imperative that you know your growing zone.  It will determine how long your growing season will be.  For example, I garden in Zone 6b.  As a result, I have approximately 6 months of spring and summer gardening.

Garden Method –  Decide how you want to garden. Will you be row gardening, using raised bed, containers or vertical gardening?

Frost Dates – Knowing your frost dates is important.  Frost dates determine when you can garden without fear of your plants being killed, and they let you know when you should prepare to close your garden before the first fall frost hits.

Mulch – Use straw and/or leaves around your vegetable plants.  I’ve used both on my garden paths as well as newspaper too.

 

Finally, I hope you found my how to start a home garden tips beneficial, and you will be enjoying your new garden this summer.  Gardening will give you an exhilaration rush.  You will proudly dig in dirt to produce tasty vegetables for your family and produce beautiful flowers.

 

 

Filed Under: Vegetable Garden Tagged With: , ,

Types of Basil For Backyard Gardens

September 28, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing gardening advice on the types of basil for backyard gardens. I’m a huge fan of fresh basil.  Basil can used in my tomato sauce, salads, and used in infused water with strawberries or cucumbers.  It can also be used on pizza, pasta and other dishes. It really take the flavor of food up a notch or two.  

I start my basil seeds in the winter, and than transfer my plants into the garden in the spring.  If sowing seeds isn’t your think, purchase a few plants from your local garden center.  Whatever you do, just grow some fresh basil! It really enhances the flavor of feeds and water.

Basil is easy to grow, both in containers, raised beds or in row gardens.  It loves fun sun, but is susceptible to slugs, snails, aphids and Japanese beetles.  So, be prepared to keep your plants healthy.  I’ve been blessed, I haven’t encountered any problems with my basil plants so far.  I’ve been growing basil in my garden for about 10 years.

 

 

types of basil

 

Requirements to Grow Basil:

 

  • Wait until the temperatures are at least 60 degrees or higher to plant in the garden
  • Plant in a sunny location.  Basil needs at least 6 hours of sun per day.
  • Add compost to your planting location.
  • Harvest your basil often.  Harvesting will allow the plant to grow bushy and increase production.
  • Remove any flowers from the plant.  Allowing the plant to flower reduces the flavor.

 

 

Types of Basil for Backyard Gardens:

 

Sweet Basil – Sweet Basil finds a place in my garden every year.  It’s what I preserve and use to make my infused water. I plant Sweet and Genovese.  Both are classic.  The plants grow about 1 – 2 feet.

Purple Basil – Purple Basil is a sweet basil with beautiful purple leaves.  It has a strong spicy flavor.  It grows anywhere from 18 – 24 inches tall.

Lemon Basil – Lemon Basil is great for tea lovers.  It’s also good in vinaigrettes, marinades, lemonade, ice tea and salads.  It can grow up to 2 feet.

 

 

 

 

types of basil

 

 

Greek Basil – Greek Basil is a compact version of basil.  It only grows to about 10 inches.  So, it’s perfect for containers or borders.  It’s tasty on pizza, pasta, and bruschetta.

Thai Basil –  Thai Basil is another favorite of mine.  I love it in stir-fry, salads and soups.  It grows to about 2 feet.  It reminds me of  Sweet Basil, but the leaves are smaller and the plant more dense.

Dark Opal – If you want a splash of color, and a tasty variety of basil, grow the Dark Opal.  It has beautiful dark burgundy leaves with pink flowers.  It smells wonderful too.  

 

 

 

types of basil

 

 

 

 

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I use basil in infused water and my tomato sauce.  Preserving basil for use during the winter is a must for me.  I freeze mine by finely chopping the basil, placing it in olive oil in an ice cube tray and freezing it.  Once the cubes are frozen, I remove the cubes from the tray and place them in a freezer bag.

Last, you can also dry basil.  I hang my basil in sprays.  Once it is dry, you can remove it and crumble it into pieces.  Store in an airtight jar.  You can also dry basil in a paper bag.  See my post on drying basil and parsley.

 

 

Filed Under: Vegetable Garden Tagged With: , , ,

Heirloom Tomato Plants and My Lessons Learned

August 31, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing my gardening tips on my 2020 successes and failures with my heirloom tomato plants. My heirloom tomato plants are my specialty, and they were quite productive this year.  The taste of heirloom tomatoes is unmatched, so I grow a variety. So, they won a place in my heart years ago.  My kitchen garden is always filled with  heirloom tomatoes.  However, I did plant a few Early Girl tomatoes.  It takes longer for heirlooms to produce fruit, and my BLT simply can’t wait that long.

 

 

growing heirloom tomatoes

 

 

Heirloom Tomato Plants for 2020 included:

  • Paul Robeson
  • Cherokee Purple
  • Brandywine Pink
  • Orange Beefsteak
  • West Virginia Hillbilly
  • Brandywine Red
  • San Marzano

 

 


 

 

What Worked

First, this year I amended my soil with aged chicken manure.  I tilled in a scoop throughout the garden, added crushed eggshells, a chopped banana peel to each tomato hole before planting the tomato plant deep.  I than used a top dress of composted leaves.  My plants thrived.  They produced an abundance of delicious, healthy fruit.

An abundance of healthy fruit also means lots of seeds from the tomatoes.  I save them from season to season, and use them to start seedlings for next years garden.  Growing heirlooms tomatoes produces seeds that will produce fruit exactly as the parent from one season to the next.  Heirlooms are pollinated by the birds, bees and the wind. There’s no human intervention.  What you see is exactly what you get from year to year.  Sadly, that is not true for hybrid tomatoes.

 

growing heirloom tomatoes

 

 

What Failed

Next, I was careless staking my tomato cages this year.  My heirloom tomato plants get very heavy.  The are an indeterminate plants, which means they continue to grow throughout the season.  They produce lots of flowers, which turn into tons of tomatoes.  I use sturdy tomato cages for my heirlooms, but to ensure they remain upright during high winds and storms.  To help secure the cages, I use t-posts to hold the cages down.

Unfortunately, this year I didn’t push the stakes in the ground deep enough or tie the cages to the t-post as securely as I normally do.  As a result, I had a few cages tumble over during a wind storm.  Have you ever tried pulling up a topple tomato plant loaded with tomatoes?  It is quite an endeavor. Especially, when you’re trying to save your fruit.  With the help of a friend, I did manage to get the cages up and re-stake them properly.

So, it’s best to take the time and do it right when you first transplant your seedlings into the garden. I still learn lessons even as a master gardener. This is a lesson that I learned long ago, but had to re-learn this gardening season.  Also, you may like:  Bon Appetit  – Heirloom Tomatoes.

 

 

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Simple Garden Wow Factor Tips

August 17, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing gardening advice on simple garden wow factor tips.  Our gardens have become more important than ever as we battle the Covid-19 crisis. A worldwide pandemic wasn’t anything that anyone expected. Just a few short months ago, you were probably planning your summer vacation.  Or, looking forward to getting a new car or upgrading your kitchen.  However, these plans have now had to be placed on hold as the world enters uncertain economic times. 

garden wow factor

 

 

With lockdowns being enforced, our gardens have become the only outdoor spaces that we have had to enjoy. They have allowed us to reconnect with nature.  Furthermore, they soothe us and allow us to relinquish our anxieties. Our gardens have had a positive impact on our mental health during these unprecedented times. Being one with nature  lowers our blood pressure and can help our bodies release our happy hormone, dopamine. Mix this a little Vitamin D  and we can feel healthier, more alert, and less stressed.

Every garden needs to be maintained, even during a pandemic.  So, why not head out to the garden, get some Vitamin D and get your happy hormones dancing.  Unfortunately, purse strings have tighten as a result of the pandemic.  But, you can still achieve and maintain a beautiful garden.

 

Garden Wow Factor Tips:

 

Water Feature 

If you adore water, implementing a water feature could be perfect. Many people yearn to hear the sound of trickling water.  Personally, I find it soothing and relaxing. The large orb fountains are very on-trend, but can be costly. Instead, consider installing a pond into your back garden. With a pond liner, some hard graft to dig a hole, and a hose to fill up your pond space with water, you can create a habitat for wildlife. Place some water lilies into your pond and some algae to help oxygenate.  And, you can create a healthy home for toads, frogs, and insects. You could install some underwater solar lights to help give your water feature the wow factor in the evening. Install a central fountain that you can pick up cheaply from a DIY store and enjoy listening to the sound of soothing water in your garden.

 

Borders

If you have borders that have seen better days, it’s time to clear the jungle of weeds and take it back to the bare soil. Till the area to break up the soil and add oxygen. Mix in some organic compost to give it nutrients before planting.  Think about what you want to plant in your borders. You have a blank canvas now.  If you are keen on creating a colorful landscape, think about the sorts of hues you want. For purple and blues, opt for a some bluebells, some deep purple dahlias, and some classic hydrangeas. These different floral patterns and bright colors will give your borders the wow factor for sure. 

If you are after a more sculptural display of fauna, think about some exotic palms. These are ideal if you have a south facing back garden and enjoy plenty of sun throughout the day. They relish the heat and light that full sun brings. Also, there’s nothing better than laying some shingle or gravel and putting in the windswept bonsais, cacti, and the hardy winter leafy plants. These need very little maintenance and can survive through droughts.

Furthermore, think about your watering regime. Many people create watering channels for their garden, with one of the many water tank pumps available to power their irrigation. You are much better watering your garden every two or three days and giving them a good drink of water rather than a little drink every twenty four hours.

 

Vegetables

Another one of my garden wow factor tips is to grew fresh vegetables. Set aside a specific section of your garden for vegetables and crops.  This way your flowers and other plants won’t have to compete for the same nutrients. Raised vegetable beds are ideal and very cheap to create. Use any wood that you have lying around to create a frame of any shape. The only requirement is that you can fill this frame with about eight inches of compost. This way, any seeds you sow will have enough space to put down some strong roots. 

Make sure your your vegetable bed is level on your soil or patio. Fill your raised bed with good soil and compost. Sow your seeds  according to the instructions on your seed packets. Keep it simple to begin with.  Especially, if you’ve never grown vegetables before. Potatoes are super easy to grow and the results are almost instant. The same goes for carrots and pak choi. This is also a great way to get the kids involved and away from their computer screens and tablets. As your simple vegetable plots begin to produce, you can begin to experiment with more exotic fruits and vegetables.

 

 

garden wow factor tips

 

 

Dining

If you really want to give your garden the wow factor, consider making your patio the ideal space for dining. With the sunlight hours reaching their peak, there is nothing nicer than eating a family meal outdoors. Your kids will love spending some quality time together as a family and enjoying some good food outside. Clear your patio of weeds and consider installing an awning that attaches to your house.  It can provide shelter from the sun or rain. No matter how fierce the elements are, you can remain cool and dry.

If the nights are getting a little chilly, think about installing a fire pit or chimnea. These are a lot of fun as well as heat-producing models on the market. Rather than shivering the evening away under a blanket, you can keep warm next to a patio heater. Fire pits are also great to toast marshmallows and have a very rustic style barbecue.

 

Your garden has become an added living space to your home, so it is time that you start treating it with some respect. Implement a few of these garden wow factor tips.  You can be enjoying a beautiful garden space without breaking the bank too.

Filed Under: Flower Gardens, Outdoor Living, Vegetable Garden Tagged With: , , ,

How to Maintain Your Passion for Gardening

August 16, 2020 by 2 Comments

Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on how to maintain your passion for gardening.  The benefits of gardening range from eating healthy  to relieving stress.  So there’s a reason you’re obsessed with this hobby; you might live until the ripe age of 100!

However, you can invest a lot of time in your hobbies.  Before you know it, your schedule revolves around gardening and you begin to lose the passion.  When that happens, gardening can feel like a full-time job rather than a hobby.  The good news is that you can pull back and still keep the fire burning.  Carry on reading to learn more.

 

 

passion for gardening

 

 

Avoid The Stuff You Hate

Unfortunately, there are parts of gardening that we all dislike! However, hire someone to do the things that you don’t like.  For example, I love working in the vegetable garden and the flower beds.  However, moving the lawn, trimming the lawn and maintaining the shrubs are things that I don’t particularly like to do.  So, the brilliant thing to do is hire someone like residential lawn care service and pay them to take care of keeping the grass lush and green.  That will leave you time to focus on watering plants so that the flowers bloom big and bright.

 

Supplement Your Garden 

Many gardeners have a ton of vegetables to pick and not enough hours in the day to pick them.  Growing your own food is commendable.  It saves money, reduces waste, and allows you to increase  your fruit and veggie intake. However, keeping up with the maintenance is tough, back-breaking work, and it might get too intense. Therefore, buying a few groceries during your weekly shopping will take the pressure off your shoulders.  After all, you don’t need to grow vegetable there is in your garden.  Grow only what your family will eat. 

 

 

passion for gardening

 

 

 

Find Other Ways To Unwind

Spending too much time in the garden will eventually leave you burned out.   With this in mind, it’s important to find an alternative way to relax.  That way, your lifestyle will be more well rounded.  And, your passion for gardening won’t disappear. Something as simple as walking could be all you require to change environments and keep the fire burning.  Similarly to gardening, walking is low-intensity and includes plenty of visual cues that stimulate the brain.

 

Put Down The Tools

You do know that you are allowed to step into your garden without having to pick up any equipment, right?  As tempting as it is to perfect your vegetable patch or flowerbed, it takes away from why you implemented one in the first place.  Just enjoy the surroundings.  If you’re only going to mess with drooping sunflower heads, your brain won’t switch off. It’s best to set up a corner of the garden with a comfy chair in the sade and take advantage of what you have created.  Now that’s the sort of fair-weather gardening that everyone can get behind!

 

So, I hope you liked my tips on how to maintain your passion for gardening.  Now, start planning your spring, summer and fall garden and never loose your passion!

Filed Under: Flower Gardens, Vegetable Garden

Best Gardening Gloves for Beginners

August 8, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on the best gardening gloves for beginners.  There are so many gloves on the market, but many gardeners are unsure about what gloves are needed for what.  Some are better than others.  So, the type of gloves that I grab depend on what’s on my agenda for the day.  For example, will I be weeding, planting, pruning or watering my garden.  There are gloves for the majority of garden tasks. Some are designed specifically for one task others are designed for multiple tasks.  So, do your homework before buying.

 

 

 

best gardening gloves

 

 

 

Weeding – Every gardener needs to wear gloves when they’re gardening.  I spend most of my time weeding either my vegetable garden or my shrubbery bed.  So, I like to keep a supply of these gloves for this task on hand.  I purchase several pair, so I can wash my gloves when needed but still have another pair to resort to. Laundry day and gardening day may not be in sync.

 

Note:  I am an Amazon Associate.  If you click on any of the products or purchase, I may be compensated a small fee.  However, there will be no additional cost to you.

 

 


 

Pruning – I have a rose garden filled with the most beautiful pink and burgundy colored blooms.  Having fresh cut roses in my house is so refreshing.  But, I hate having my arms and hands scratched from cutting them.  Unfortunately, I can’t wear regular gardening gloves to prune or cut my roses.  The thorns just won’t allow it.  So, I wear gloves that not only cover my hands, but my arms as well.  They’re great for cutting back shrubs and branches.  I highly recommend purchasing a pair for your garden chores.

 


 

Digging/Planting – I wear digging and planting gloves when I’m transplanting my seedlings, plants from the nursery or pots from the gardening center.  I have a pair of the gloves with the claws that I absolutely love.  They’re great when I’m digging holes.  They have several options, claws on all fingers or just one claw on the pointer fingers.  Check them out, and grab a pair that’s comfortable for you.

 


 

Water Resistance –  If the weather isn’t cooperative, every gardener must water their garden.  So, I like to wear gloves that are water resistant.  Having wet gloves on your hands is the worst feeling.  Also, I have several bird baths in backyard.  Water resistant gloves are great when I need to clean them or the furniture.

 

 

 

best gardening gloves

 

 

 

 

Touch Screen Compatible – If you like to post pictures of your vegetables and flowers on Instagram or Facebook, you’ll love a pair of gardening gloves that are touch screen compatible.  Personally, I remove my gloves.  Or, if I do leave my gloves on I use a stylus.  However, I’ve heard mixed reviews on touch screen gloves.

 

 


 

 

Nitrile – I have lots of the Nitrile gloves.  They are my favorite gloves to wear regardless of whether I’m in the vegetable garden, shrubbery beds or flower garden. These gloves come in an array of colors, they’re light and most are puncture resistant.  I wear them when I’m weeding, planting or cutting back shrubs. They also keep my hands clean and dry.  I look for nitrile gloves that I can throw in the washer.  And, I purchase packs that have more than one pair.  I don’t want my favs to be in the wash when I’m ready to head out.

 

 


 

So, I hope my tips on the best gardening gloves has been beneficial.  No matter what task you’re performing, wear gloves.  They will protect your hands from scratches, dirty fingernails, callouses, bacteria and fungus which can cause an infection.  I’ve seen the hands of gardeners who choose to not wear gloves, don’t do it just don’t do it.

 

Filed Under: Flower Gardens, Vegetable Garden Tagged With: , ,

How to Attract Pollinators to Your Garden

July 24, 2020 by 2 Comments

Today, I’m sharing tips gardening tips on how to attract pollinators to your garden.  What are pollinators and why are they needed? New gardeners often have these questions.  First, lets start with what are pollinators.  Pollinators carry pollen to plants so they will product flowers/blooms.

So, it’s important to plant flowers and plants that produce nectar.  Nectar will attract pollinators, which include butterflies, bees, beetles, humming birds, wasps and moths.  These insects and birds are our top pollinators.  However, the wind is also a pollinator.  Flowers, fruits and vegetables are produced by pollinators carrying pollen from one plant to the next.  Without them, there will be no fruit or vegetables to harvest or beautiful flowers to enjoy.  As a result, we must attract pollinators to our gardens.

 

 

how to attract pollinators

 

 

 

How to Attract Pollinators: 

 

Plant Native Plants –  Plant native plants rather than annuals.  Native plants are those that grow naturally in a particular area.  Furthermore, they act has a host for butterflies and they provide support for pollinators.  Native plants require less water, fertilizer, pruning, and they require little or no pesticide.

Provide Shelter – Bumblebees need open ground and bare patches of soil to nest.  Provide an area away from your entryways.  I had Bumblebees make a nest in the shrubbery bed leading to my front door.  That was not a good thing.  Also, dead wood and tree stumps make good nesting areas.  Compost piles, brush and hedges make good nesting areas too.

 

 

how to attract pollinators

 

Use Different Colors in Your Garden –  Make sure your garden has a variety of color and texture.  Red, yellow, lavender, white, pink mix it up. Different sizes and shapes should be considered too.

Provide Water – Pollinators are living creatures, so you must provide water for them to survive.  Install a pond, bird bath, fountain or shallow dish with water.

Have Something Blooming at all Times – When purchasing native plants, consider their bloom times as well as planting zones.  Having a plant blooming from May to September is ideal.

 


 

 

Provide Flowers and Plants in Masses – Plant native plants/shrubs in masses.  Five or more is great.  If your garden area is not large enough to accommodate 5 or more, plant at least 3.

Provides Food – Our backyard birds need food, so look for plants that will help produce food for our feathered friends.  Sunflowers, asters, coneflowers produce seeds and dogwoods, cedar and holly produce berries.  Consider planting a few in your garden.

I hope these tips on how to attract pollinators were beneficial.  Give some thought on what plants would work well in your backyard.  Start with a small area, and increase your plantings yearly.  Finally, saving seed and starting new plants can be a big money saver too.

 

Filed Under: Flower Gardens, Nature-Gardening, Vegetable Garden Tagged With: , , ,

Fast Growing Vegetables for Beginner Gardeners

May 7, 2020 by 2 Comments

Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on fast growing vegetables to plant in your backyard garden or containers.  These are easy to grow vegetables, and I highly recommend them for beginner gardeners as well as experienced gardeners.

Several of these delicious and nutritious veggies find a place in my garden every year.  I hope you will find a few that you want to plant, and they become favorites in your summer garden.

 

fast growing vegetables

 

 

 

Fast growing vegetables for your garden:

 

Radishes – I love radishes sliced or diced in a salad or on a vegetable tray.  You can also roast or sautéed radishes with chives or garlic in olive oil, and be sure to add lots of your favorite seasoning.

Lettuce – If you love a fresh salad and BLTs in the summer like I do, you will be planting lots of lettuce.  You can grow lettuce in your row garden, raised beds, pots, containers, lined baskets, colanders and any other container that will drain.  There’s Black Seeded Simpson, Leaf Bowl, Romaine, Butter Crunch (one of my favorites),

Spinach – I love fresh spinach in a salad or in my smoothies.  I add a banana, a handful of spinach and frozen berries with almond milk for a refreshing smoothie.

Squash – I love squash fried, in casseroles, sliced and baked in the oven with a parmesan cheese topping.  Yummy!  And, you don’t more than a plant or two.  They are heavy producers.

Cucumbers –  I love fresh cucumbers.  I use them in salads, vegetable trays and infused in water with fresh basil.  Cucumber water is so refreshing on a hot summer day.

 

 

fast growing vegetables

 

 

Swiss Chard –  Personally, I’m not a fan of swiss chard unless it’s in a smoothie.  I basically use it in the same manner that I use spinach, with a banana, handful of frozen berries and almond milk.  It makes a very healthy breakfast drink.  And, I love the colorful stems on this veggie.  So pretty.

Green Beans – My family loves green beans at family dinners.  Also, I love using them in my vegetable soup in the winter.

Scallions –  Great in stir fry, potato soup, chopped on a baked potato or in salads.

 

 

fast growing vegetables

 

 

 

Beets – My mother, may she rest in peace, loved beets in vinegar.  My sister and a cousin love them as well.  Me, not so much.  But, I will plant a few for family.

Broccoli – Another delicious vegetable that can be used on vegetable trays, fried or in a stir fry.  It finds a place in my beef and broccoli stir fry often.

Zucchini –  Zucchini is very similar to squash.  I use zucchini in casseroles, and it make a delicious zucchini bread.

Finally, I hope that you will plant a few of these fast growing vegetables in your garden this year.  You will be harvesting fresh and delicious vegetables in no time.

 

Filed Under: Vegetable Garden Tagged With: , , ,

4 Delicious Fruits To Grow In Your Garden

April 27, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on fruits to grow in your garden. Isn’t it every gardener’s dream to have a  garden that’s full of delicious fruits? Some fruits are high-maintenance and challenging to grow, which isn’t exactly ideal for a beginner. Thankfully, there are plenty of yummy fruits that beginners can grow. 

 

growing fruit

Here’s a few fruits to grow in your garden:

 

Apples

There are many types of apples. First, choose what type you want to grow. If you’re an apple lover, you know that not all apples have the same taste. You’ll want to grow an apple that you like.  So, sample a few before you start planting! Once you’ve decided, you need to buy these seeds and another type. Apples need pollination from a different variety to grow. Next, you need to choose a rootstock.  The rootstock will determine how big the tree gets. You should plant your apple tree in a sunny spot, using well-prepared soil. Remember, your trees will be need to be pruned regularly to keep their shape. 

 

growing fruit in your garden

 

 

Blueberries

Blueberries are an easy to grow fruit. Furthermore, they work well in containers. It’s best to choose a self-pollinating type of blueberry, you’ll only need one plant to yield fruit. Blueberries love acidic and moist soil. However, the soil will require a PH level of around 4.5-5.5. Blueberries can tolerate the shade well; however you’ll produce much better plants when growing them in the sun. Blueberries grow very well in aged compost.

 

Figs

You can plant figs in warm conditions, such as Zone 8 or above. When winter temperatures drop below -12°C you’ll need to bring your figs inside.  So, growing them in a container is recommended. If you plant your fig tree in a container, add bark chips to improve the drainage. It’s best to add a fertilizer with a high nitrogen content each month too. You can grow figs in many types of soil; just ensure that there’s plenty of organic matter and it’s well-drained. Remember, fig trees need to be at least 20 feet away from other trees. 

 

 

growing fruit in your garden

 

 

Strawberries

You can grow strawberries in a container, strawberry planter, or a well prepped strawberry bed. To grow strawberries, you’ll need lots of rich garden compost or horse manure (well rotted). It’s a good idea to choose ‘ever-bearing’ strawberries as these will continue to produce fruit for the whole summer. So, plant your strawberry runners or bare-rooted strawberries in the springtime. It’s also fine to plant in the late summer or even in the fall. You can prep the soil with a dressing of potash fertilizer. When you plant the strawberries, the roots should be buried, and you should space them about 12 inches apart. Strawberries will be a delicious addition to the fruits to grow in your garden.  

When you are growing your fruits ang vegetables, consider pest control. For a great pest control service take a look at animalcontrolspecialists.com.

Last, before you start growing fruits in your garden, it’s important to perfect your compost. Remember, you need an equal measure of green and brown materials. It’s helpful to buy a compost bin so that you can easily turn your compost, generating the air it needs to thrive.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Vegetable Garden Tagged With: , ,

12 Best Slicing Tomatoes for Backyard Gardens

April 10, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on the best slicing tomatoes for backyard gardens.  First, when I’m planning my garden, I think about the tomatoes that I want to plant.  Do I want them for my BLTs, to make sauce or to can for my soup and chili later in the winter.

Slicing tomatoes are great for sandwiches, covering burgers, using on hoagies and subs or smeared with may and salt and pepper. 

For the record, I have planted numerous varieties of tomatoes over the years.  Some have become a staple in my garden, and some I have vowed to never plant again.  So, lets not waste any time.  Lets check out the list.

 

 

best slicing tomatoes

 

Best slicing tomatoes:  

 

Cherokee Purple – First, my favorite tomato is the Cherokee Purple.   It has a smoky flavor and pairs perfectly on my BLT.  Additionally, I love it sliced with a little mayo, salt and pepper.  You will find them in my garden every year.  The Cherokee Purple is similar to a beefsteak and is a heirloom tomato.

Mortgage Lifter – The Mortgage Lifter can weigh as much as 2 lbs. with the right conditions.  So, make you have it staked well.  The plants grow heavy enough to lift a flimsy cage out of the ground.  This tomato originated in West Virginia in 1922.

Paul Robeson – Next, the Paul Robeson tomato is a deep purple color that almost looks black.  It is second on my list of favorite heirlooms.  The Paul Robeson was named after the famous opera singer and civil rights activist, Paul Robeson.  I love these tomatoes on BLTs and sliced with mayo.

 

 

best slicing tomatoes

 

 

 

 

Brandywine Red – The Brandywine Red is one of the most popular heirloom garden tomatoes.  It has a wonderful taste.  Additionally, it’s a beefsteak.  So, it’s great for slicing.  One of my favorites.

Brandywine Pink– Next, the Brandywine Pink is an heirloom tomato like its counterpart, the Brandywine Red.  I love the color of this tomato.  This tomato is a rosy-pink and has a little bit of a tang.

Celebrity  – The Celebrity tomato produces large fruit.  So, it’s actually considered an all purpose tomato.  They are large and can be used for slicing, canning and sauce.  Additionally, you can also plant these in large container. So, you can grow them on your patio or balcony if they get enough sunlight.  I like the flavor, and use them on my BLTs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black Krim –  The Black Krim has a very rich flavor.  It is high on my list of garden tomatoes.  This tomato is a dark burgundy color similar to the Cherokee Purple, Black Krim, and Paul Robeson.  They are a beefsteak, which makes them perfect for sandwiches.  They originated in Crimea.

Hillbilly – Unfortunately, the Hillbilly tomato is too sweet to me. So, I really don’t like it on my sandwiches.  However, other family members love them.  I share my garden harvest, so I continue to plant them so they can enjoy them.  The Hillbilly is an heirloom, which originated in West Virginia in the 1800s.  It’s a beautiful color, yellow and orange. It displays beautifully on the BBQ table for burgers.  

Delicious – Also, The Delicious tomato holds the record for the largest tomato ever grown, a whooping 7 pounds.  They find a place in my garden every year. The Delicious is an heirloom, and all purpose tomato.  It’s perfect for slicing, making tomato juice and canning.

Homestead – The Homestead is an all purpose tomato.  It can be used for slicing, canning, and  salads.  This tomato is sweet.

German Johnson – Another West Virginia tomato that is an excellent slicing tomato.  Additionally, the German Johnson is thought to a parent of the Mortgage Lifter and Radiator Charlie tomatoes.  The German Johnson tomato is popular at Farmer’s Markets, and it is an heirloom.  It has an excellent flavor, and the color is more pink than red.

Better Boy – Last, the Better Boy tomato is great for slicing.  It has been around for about 50 years, and produces a lot fruit.  So, stake this plant heavily.  The flavor is excellent, and it will always find a place on my BLT

 

It’s nice to have a variety of tomatoes on the dinner or BBQ table in the summer.  They make a great conversation piece too.  Your fellow gardeners will want to know about them.

Finally, check out my list of best slicing tomatoes and purchase a few for your backyard garden.  You won’t be disappointed.

 

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