Do it yourself planting can add a new dimension to your garden? If you have ever tried it, you know how much easier your garden can be with the help of your own plants. It’s easy to have a thriving kitchen garden once you learn the proper way of cultivating your herbs and vegetables. The best part about it is that you can do it yourself, and it doesn’t take that much time either! You really should try it.
Plant a Kitchen Garden With the Do it yourself spirit in tow, let us imagine you are the proud owner of a large, mature greenhouse (with doors). Follow this rare how to get it done by first locating a sturdy table (no metal table please). Hang up your pop-up shade (no metal) on the table and then set up your fabric window screen with black construction paper and plastic beads. Attach hanging pots from the cloth and your sunny window sill. Attach plant pots in a similar manner. Use your imagination and make the best addition to your home.
Plant a Kitchen Garden In the style of the Victorian era, a Do it Yourself family handyman garden would consist of a pot on the table (as in, pop-up shade), pot on the floor (on a sunny window sill), a flower pot on a shelf, and a couple of square feet of gravel in the yard. Make a plan, and do it. It is very easy to become sidetracked while planting your vegetable garden, so plan ahead. Digging holes, mixing soil and planting seeds may not be your strong point, but you will come to appreciate it when one of your crops comes up!
Plant a Kitchen Garden with the Do it yourself attitude firmly in hand, plant your garden. Start by digging a hole about four feet deeper than your neighbor’s, using a pitchfork to level the plot. Fill the hole with dirt, and add a layer of loose soil (organic if possible) mixed with peat moss or compost. Make sure you mulch the soil between the layers of compost or mulch, because the moisture in the mulch will help keep the weeds down.
Choose Your Plants Do it yourself gardeners are notorious for picking plants that don’t grow well in their climate. But, plants like sunflowers, daffodils, and California poppies can be planted even in areas with cold climates. Be sure they get enough sunlight and water, and make sure they don’t have a root system that can break the ground beneath them.
Planting Check on your soil structure. Most plants need a certain amount of organic matter (the stuff they eat), but some varieties need more. So, check the soil structure for moisture, and add additional organic matter if needed. Also, fertilize your plants as needed, especially during the growing season. Mow your grass often, and fertilize alfalfa, clover, and lettings. Do it yourself gardeners use commercial compost and manure to improve soil structure.
Cover crops are often planted to provide hardy food sources year-round. If you’re planting cover crops, such as sunflowers or daffodils, be sure they get at least six hours of sunlight and about one inch of water a week. These annuals, however, aren’t suitable for all climates; they do better in southern regions where they can soak up more sun and become shade tolerant. You can also use a layer of straw or other organic material under the cover crops to provide additional protection from cold. Do it Yourself gardeners may use a layer of bark or shredded wood for this purpose.
Soil pH One important factor in Do it yourself organic matter management is how your soil texture responds to different elements and nutrients. Most commercial fertilizers are designed to work in slightly acidic soils. So instead of aiming for a pH level of 8.3, look for an alkaline soil texture that will maximize the nutrient value of your plants.