Finally, I think the weather is taking a turn towards spring. Let’s just hope the last of the cold weather is behind us. After our trip to Florida, I’m ready for it to get warm and stay warm!
Luke and I were able to get outside over the past 2 weeks and get the expansion of the garden fenced in, and I was able to get some of my cold-hardy plants in the ground, like onions, cabbages, lettuce, and spinach. With warm weather planting around the corner, I thought I’d chat a bit about some different gardening styles, and maybe inspire others to “get in the dirt”. I realize that most of what I grow is centered around edible plants, but these same methods can also be used for flower gardens and landscaping, as well.
I’m going to try not to get too wordy with this blog post, so please bear with me. LOL
In-Ground Garden:
This is the most common style of garden. This is a plot of ground that is tilled, worked, and planted directly in the dirt. You have many planting options, and you have the ability to change your garden layout from year to year.
Raised Row Garden:
We use this style of garden at our homestead. There is no tilling involved, which is convenient since we don’t have a tiller. The garden is created by layering compostable materials, both green and brown, into rows directly on top of the ground. Dirt is then placed in a layer on the top of the mound. You plant your seeds and plants in these created rows and add more compost around the plants. This method really does a great job of holding onto moisture for your plants, and since the rows are raised, there is less washout if it is a wet year. Once the rows are established, it is not as easy to change up your planting arrangement.
Container Gardening:
I have touched on this before. You can literally plant in anything! This allows you to be creative, unique and resourceful. Use what you have on hand. You can also build a container to plant in as well. Just plan accordingly. Don’t plant a potato in a coffee mug. Make sure that the size container will allow for adequate growth.
Vertical Gardening:
Don’t have ground space??? Health issues prevent you from bending to work a garden? Plant vertically! You can grow vertically on the side of a fence, hanging on a wall, on a door…any vertical space that gets adequate sunlight. And you can be creative with this as well. You can get a wall planter from the store, or you can create one out of a pallet or even a hanging shoe organizer. Root vegetables would not necessarily be the best plants for this, but lettuces, spinach, herbs, and tomatoes would all do well.
Hydroponic Gardening:
This style of gardening grows plants in a water solution instead of the ground. I have talked to someone who specializes in hydroponics, and while it is super neat….he said that the water needs to be tested on a regular basis and make sure the appropriate nutrients are added to the circulating water. If you have the desire to do this kind of growing, they sell vertical hydroponic planters, or you could get creative and build your own with PVC pipe and a pump.
Edible Landscape:
Are you part of a housing development that has HOA and doesn’t allow for a garden? Maybe you are in a town/city and have a very small outdoor space and do not have room for a garden. You can plant edible plants in your landscape. Instead of having flowers planted around your house, put in some vegetable plants. Make use of the space you have.
Greenhouse/Cold Frame/High Tunnel:
These structures can take a bit of space. The biggest benefit of growing in one of these structures is it extends your grow time and allows you to get more out of your plants. You can use any of the above forms of gardening in one of these structures, or a combination of several of them. If you don’t have the room to put up a big structure, you can start small and make mini-greenhouses out of some windows.
I hope this has inspired you to be creative. To see that the options for gardening are endless.
Leave a comment…..I want to see other people’s gardens and plants. Share what worked or didn’t work for you. Show me some creative planting containers. Thanks for visiting the blog!!!