Soothing, relaxing and peaceful – gardening is a wonderful way to spend your free time. The benefits are numerous: family time, healthier vegetable options for the family, fresh air and exercise, plus a successful garden can be an achievement for the entire family. Of course, if you’re unfamiliar with gardening you may not know where to start.
One of the first decisions to make regarding your gardening will be based upon whether or not you live in a climate that is conducive to growing your favorite vegetables. Some climates have a mild spring with lots of rain where produce will grow in abundance, but there are other climates where the temperatures spike and dip causing late frosts that can damage seedlings. Will your garden be in-ground as part of your front or back yard? Will you be growing your vegetables indoors in a modified shed or greenhouse or a room in your home? Will you be using planters or a patch of earth? If you’re not sure what will work best in your community, take a moment to chat with a local nursery owner. Many times they will be able to help you decide what will work best based on what you’re wanting to grow.
If you decide to go with an in-ground garden then you’ll need to assess the topsoil. If your property has a lot of sand or various types of rock or clay then this won’t be beneficial. Topsoil is the nutrient-rich dirt that you’ll want to use to grow your plants. While you can simply till the ground and start planting seedlings, your topsoil should be nurtured for really healthy and nutritious vegetables. Healthy topsoil consists of a complex community of living creatures. It has microorganisms, living bacteria and fungi as well as other organic matter that gives it a rich, black color. Most homes do not naturally have healthy topsoil and so there are things that can be done to prepare your garden for your plants. One option is to consider adding in the missing ingredients. While not the easiest path to rich soil, this will allow you more time in your garden as you till in organic materials, natural fertilizers and compost to improve the quality of your topsoil. The easiest option, however, is simply to buy healthy topsoil in bulk or bags and put it directly on top of the existing poor quality soil. If you decide to go with indoor potted plants then start with potting soil. This soil is a healthy medium for growing plants, herbs and vegetables that can be purchased at all nurseries and home supply stores.
Click below to read more on our Wellness Family Newsletter
Wellness Family Newsletter May 2015
- What to plant
- Getting the kids involved
- How to transplant
- Starting with Seedlings
- Gardening for wellness