A SAMPLE GUIDE TO EDIBLE GARDENING
Growing your own food can be a fun and satisfying activity that can nourish your body and your soul. Homegrown veggies and fruits can be more flavorful and nutritious than store-bought produce. Some people might think they don’t have the time to dedicate to an edible garden, but it can easily fit into ANY busy schedule. Once planted, an average-sized edible garden will require less than fifteen minutes a day to maintain. Most seasoned vegetable gardeners look forward to their time spent in their garden, because the rewards are so great! And the therapy it provides is even better!! Your local independent garden center can provide you with all the plants and know how to make your garden a valuable, money saving asset for your home.
When it comes to location, choose the sunniest spot in your yard. Most edible plants prefer 6 or more hours of sun, although leaf veggies (like lettuce) can grow with less sunlight. Consider container gardens if you have a bright deck or patio. Edibles can also be incorporated into your flowerbeds and ornamental plantings as well. Be sure the area has good circulation or airflow.
When possible, raised beds offer ideal growing conditions for vegetables. This is done by mounding soil 8-12” high with or without framing it with wood or blocks. Soil in raised beds heats up faster and produces a crop more quickly. If these beds are high enough, they may even deter dogs and rabbits from visiting, but be ready to put up screening or fencing if necessary. It also offers better drainage and reduces root rot. A raised garden bed should be no wider than 4’ to allow for easy access from both sides.
The key ingredient to a vegetable garden is the soil foundation. Amend the topsoil with compost, such as Black Gold (which is Missouri Botanical Garden Compost produced in St Louis!). Well-rotted manure and humus are also suitable for adding to the existing soil.
Base your crop selection on what your family likes to eat. Choose from your local garden center’s selection of plants, which are known to be well suited for your area. Many independent garden centers trail most of their offerings to ensure that they will be successful in your garden too!
Plant your tall crops (like corn and climbers) on the north side of the garden to prevent them from shading the other shorter plants. Plant medium sized plants (like peppers, tomatoes….) towards the center. Short crops, like carrots, radishes, and lettuce, should be planted on the south end. Try to orient your garden from north to south for best sun coverage.
Here is a sample plant list for a healthy family of four:
10 tomato plants
2 for munching (grape or cherry)
2 for cooking (Roma)
2 for slicing (Better Boy, Celebrity…….)
2 for colorful salads (Lemonboy…..)
2 for conversation (Mr. Stripey or other Heirlooms…..)
4 cucumber plants
12 broccoli plants
8 cauliflower plants
20 lettuce plants
6 pepper plants
3 pumpkin plants
10 spinach plants
2 zucchini or squash plants
Essential herbs
-basil
-oregano
-parsley
-rosemary
-thyme
-cilantro
-dill
-bay
-french tarragon
-mint (very vigorous, so grow in a container!)
-fennel (for you and the butterflies!)
Other essentials…………….
Compost
Shovel, hard rake and tiller
Fertilizer—natural/organic or commercial
Tomato cages, stakes
I truly hope you enjoy the spring and summer season and try your hand a growing fresh produce for your family. Here is a recipe you can try using your fresh produce:
Sweet and Sour Coleslaw:
1 large head cabbage, shredded
1 large onion, chopped
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 cup sugar + 1 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. celery seed
1 cup cider vinegar
¾ cup salad oil
Combine the cabbage, onion and green pepper in a bowl. Pour the 1 cup of sugar over the mixture. Let set in refrigerator covered for 4 hours or overnight. Boil together 1 Tbsp. sugar, salt, celery seed, vinegar and salad oil. Let mixture cool. Mix with slaw ½ to 1 hour before serving. Bon appétit!
Don’t forget that Mother’s Day will be here soon and garden plants make great gifts for Mom and Grandma. Plants, Gods natural creations of beauty, will continue to give throughout the season!
See you next month,
Sandi Hillermann McDonald
