Container Garden 411

It is necessary for you to invest in some basic tools in order to start a garden. However, such tools will certainly not be costing you too much. Yard sales or flea markets may well make such tools available for you at costs even below a hundred dollars. In any case it is better to avoid purchasing the expensive tools while starting the practice of gardening because it might be that interest in gardening is lost very soon and the entire investment in garden tools turns out to be a loss.

Starting with the shovel and the rake- the two basic garden tools now there are quite a few basic tools for gardening that are available. Among these you can proceed to buy the things that you will really need more.

The spading fork is to be chosen as the first and foremost garden tool. This is because before any kind of planting is to be done the soil needs to be opened and improved. The spading fork will dig into hard soil and break up the ground. Next comes the need of a hoe. This is used in weeding and cultivating the surface of the soil in order to facilitate the penetration of water and plant nutrients.

A watering can is to be selected next. While choosing this it is to be remembered that long nozzles are preferable as they allow the water to come out at a gentle rate of flow and also prove to be helpful in reaching across longer distances. For watering young seedlings the watering can with a detachable spray head is best suited.

A round-ended shovel is to be importantly selected. This proves to be useful in case of larger digging projects like planting of shrubs and trees. There is also the need to buy a good bow rake- the one that has short tines on a side attached to a metal frame or bow. This comes of use in leveling the soil after the soil has been turned out before planting. It also helps in removing large chunks of earth or rocks from the soil. The bow rake can also be turned over and its flat side used for smoothing soil for planting preparation.

Finally, a pair of garden shears fitting comfortably in hand is to be opted for. The shears or clippers as they are sometimes referred to, serve the object of pruning, shaping and removing leaves or branches. There are expensive shears available too but these are only to be opted for in case gardening really becomes a fascinating hobby.

Over time and upon longer usage the tools used for gardening may become dull. This brings the need to sharpen them. The right file is to be chosen for sharpening. Large coarse files are meant especially for trimming and shaping materials and for smoothening and shaping edges small fine files are to be used.

Thankfully, planning the layout of your herb garden is not rocket science nor does it have to be like any of the magnificent garden of the world like Kew Gardens in England or the Longwood gardens in Pennsylvania. These gardens are artificial in nature and require the skill of professional horticulturists to grow and maintain them. Your herb garden layout is much simpler and will not require anywhere near as much work.

A real herb garden needs to still look and grow like they were meant to.  Not only will this help the herbs, but will save your back.  Let the herbs themselves help you plan your herb garden layout.

What Resources Are Available to You?

Take an honest look at what resources you have for your herb garden layout.  If you already have a greenhouse, you have a great place for seedlings or herbs that need a more Mediterranean climate in order to grow, like basil.  If you don’t have a greenhouse or a large garden plot, away from car exhaust and tons of shade, then don’t fret.  Just use a simple steel rack and flowerpots in your kitchen or front porch as your portable herb garden layout.  An herb garden doesn’t have to be all in one patch of ground in order to be a useful, satisfying herb garden.

What Herbs To Grow?

Take a look at what herbs you usually use in your cooking and start from there.  Now, if you want to grow mint, you must keep in mind that mint demands a lot of space and will choke any other herbs or flowers growing nearby so it needs to be in a space all on its own.  However, herbs like parsley don’t mind a little company.  

As you can now see you just can’t plant herbs willy-nilly into the ground.  That’s an herb garden layout that’s a recipe for disaster.  You have to actually do some homework as to what kind of soil your herb prefers, how far apart it should be from other herbs, how much sunlight it needs, and when its growing season is.

As they say don’t run before you can walk. Why not start of with a few hardy herbs such as thyme, parsley, chives and dill until you get the hang of it. Your herb garden layout will vary from season to season as your experience grows and understanding of what plants need to flourish. You will soon start to reap your harvest of fresh organic herbs and your cooking and life will be richer for it.

When you want to grow tomatoes but have very little space then you can always use containers for them. Container growing tomatoes will grow just as well as those grown in the main garden but you need to do a couple of things a bit differently to have good success.

Container growing tomatoes

The first thing to do is grow the right variety. Some varieties have such large fruits that this makes them unsuitable for growing in pots and containers. If you have ever grown tomatoes you now how much the y need feeding and watering. only marrows and pumkins come close. The large varieties need a larger root system to sustain the plants long enough and well enough to give you the large tomatoes you would want.

What you can grow very well in pots, tubs and containers are cherry tomato types and medium size tomatoes like Moneymaker and Ailsa.

The second thing you must do is to use only your largest containers and pots for tomatoes. Your plants need regular watering and feeding and to get really good plants the roots need plenty of space. Tomato roots that are restricted will reduce the size and quality of your fruits.

The third thing to do with them is to feed them weekly once the first flower set appears. I do this at the same time every week until the harvest season in almost over. Then you just continue with water. I use a dedicated tomato feed. I also use this on sweet peppers and cucumbers.

Growing tomatoes in pots

My last hint is to ensire thay are watered daily. Even in a dreadful wet summer like we are having in england this year you must water and water daily. the foliage of the plants protect the soil from the water so you need to check it. This does not happen with those grown on the ground. Container growing tomatoes for small gardens work very well as long as you follow these simple tips.

No matter where you live in the world most cultures like to use herbs in their cooking to provide the flavours and aroma that we have all come to love. With the enormous spread in popularity of Gourmet Cooking shows on television we are encouraged to expand our culinary tastes to include dishes from all over the world . As most professional chefs prefer to use fresh herbs in their cooking why should we not follow in their steps and grow our own basic herb garden at home.

It is quite easy to put in a basic herb garden to grow the ones used the most. Most of the common herbs used as spices in cooking can be successfully grown in average soil but some do request rich soil, such as oregano.

Additionally, some herbs in a basic herb garden such as parsley are biennial in nature. This means the first year they are grown they will not be useful for seasoning. It is during the second year that the crop can be used. Ideally, with parsley, , plant a new crop of seeds one year after planting your first parsley plants so that in a couple of years they will overlap, providing u sable seasoning every year.

Most of the herbs grown in a basic herb garden such as, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano and basil are tolerant of direct sun, but will require a minimum amount of water to survive. You can harvest leaves, sprigs and twigs from any of your herbs as they are growing giving fresh organic herbs for your kitchen.

However, some plants like thyme is a very forgiving plant and if it dries out will likely come back when an appropriate amount of water is given. Since some have different soil requirements and can grow under slightly different conditions, having them separated by variety can help get them started and keep them growing throughout their life.

Plant Herbs Close To Where They Will Be Used

In most cases it is easier on the grower to plant the basic herb garden close to the kitchen for easy harvesting of the fresh crop. Remember, the entire growth does not have to be cut and used at once. With the right care, the spices will continue to grow and be usable during the entire season. Drying or freezing the extra cuttings at the end of the season can possibly supply the spice throughout the winter, often lasting until the next crop produces the following year.

If you are little short on space why not consider companion growing? When planting a basic herb garden that would take more room than available, certain herbs can be planted among other plants, especially tomatoes. Parsley can play well with other plants specifically tomatoes, asparagus and among roses. Broccoli and cauliflower also welcome rosemary in their midst. Basil also likes to grow alongside tomatoes too.

The only problem with planting herbs among other plants is that they can be mistaken and trampled on inadvertently when weeding, pruning and maintaining the other plants in your mixed garden bed. A basic herb garden is a valuable addition to your kitchen supplies and really wont take to much of your valuable time to look after.