• 16May

    The Cheap Vegetable Gardener -Buy Self-Seeding Plants

    The Cheap Vegetable Gardener
    5 Easy Money-saving Gardening Tips

    Posted: 15 May 2013 10:19 PM PDT

    The post 5 Easy Money-saving Gardening Tips appeared first on The Cheap Vegetable Gardener.

     

    Starting and keeping a garden is a great way to spend your time for those of you with a green thumb. I just recently took up the hobby, and was shocked at just how expensive it was to start a relatively large garden in my back yard. Undeterred by the cost, I opened my wallet, pulled out the no fee credit cards and began buying seeds, mulch, and the tools I needed to keep my garden looking great.

    Make you own compost. There are two big benefits to composting.  First, those scraps from the vegetables and other foods you spent your hard-earned money on don’t go to waste, allowing you to make the most of your purchases. More importantly, however, compost is free nutrient rich soil for your garden.  It’s easy, too.

    A very simple way to create a compost area is to choose an area of your yard that’s away from everything else and section it off with chicken wire.  Once you’ve built your bin, simply toss your scraps, veggie peelings, egg shells, and more into the bin and let it decompose. Compost soil takes about a year to be ready for gardening, but once it’s ready, you’ll have some of the freshest free soil around.

    Cut back on mulch. Have you laid mulch and then had pesky weeds pop up anyway? If you answered “yes,” there’s a good chance that you also purchased more mulch to lay over the invading weeds. There’s a simpler solution, however.

    Next time you go to lay mulch, take some of those old newspapers out of your recycling bin and lay them flat over the area where you’re going to lay the mulch.  With this biodegradable layer between the weeds and the mulch, you’ll see fewer of their little heads popping through the wood chips, and you’ll save money since you’ll have to reapply your mulch less often.

    Buy self-seeding plants. Another really great way to save money on your garden going forwards is by not having to by new plants every year. Many plants – like Foxgloves, Oriental Poppies, etc. – are self-seeders.  This means that as they deteriorate in the colder months, they will release seeds that will germinate when the weather gets warm again.

    This is a great way to save money on your garden because it removes some of the monetary burden of purchasing all-new flowers at the start of each warm season.

    Start small. One way to facilitate the lushness of your garden is to buy larger, adult plants instead of growing from seeds. Many gardening stores sell larger plants because they are more expensive to the buyer, however.  To save some money this year, but smaller, starter plants or grow your garden from seeds. Seeds and smaller plants cost less because they’ve cost the growers and distributors less to grow and maintain.

    For some, growing a garden can be challenging, but if you’re willing to try, going this route will save you money upfront and could very well produce just as beautiful a garden as larger plants.

    Become a plant food chef. Another expense that can be very important to your garden (and its health) is purchasing plant food.  Plants, like all other organisms, need certain things to thrive—water, light, nutrients, and more. And one of the ways we give plants nutrients is with expensive plant foods.

    You can, however, save money on plant food by making your own. Here’s how: take compost and place it into a large container of water for a week.  When the week’s up, the water should be murky and brown. That means it’s ready. Now, use this mixture to water your plants—it will work as well as store-bought foods, but will lack the chemicals found in them.

    The biggest tip I can give you is to keep it small and simple until you get the hang of it. Gardening is supposed to be relaxing, not complicated. If you want complicated, try understanding section 529 college savings plans.  That’s complicated.  Gardening should be the opposite of that, and once you get the hang of it, it is.
    Make the most of May with some quick recycling projects

    Posted: 15 May 2013 07:07 PM PDT

    The post Make the most of May with some quick recycling projects appeared first on The Cheap Vegetable Gardener.

     

    May is a great time to start enjoying the warmer weather and longer days by getting out in the garden.  By taking the time to smell the roses and stroll around the allotment plot or garden you can help to combat stress levels and restore the Zen to your busy life. Discovering the plant life and wildlife using your senses will bring you closer nature. While you appreciate these little natural miracles why not give a thought to how we can help the environment at home.

    While you are (hopefully) having fun in the sun you could have a go at a few recycling and repurposing activities. Here are a few tips that can help you turn your rubbish into something beautiful or functional.

    1. Turn rubbish into a planter.  A chipped cup and saucer, a teapot with a broken lid, a lonely wellington boot, all can be filled with compost and turned from something unloved into something beautiful. It’s true that flowers can work wonders to cheer up a dull space, all you have to do is to drill some holes in the bottom of the receptacle, fill it with compost and plant flowers or seeds. Summer bedding plants are in available at garden centers right now and can be used to add an instant impact.


    2. Build a bug hotel. These can be made from all sorts of weather durable scraps of building material and garden material. The easiest bug hotel can be made from broken garden canes which are too small for anything else. All you have to do is chop them up into similar lengths and tie them together with twine and leave it in a quiet corner of the garden. Bugs, insects and even bees will crawl in to this safe place during bad weather and frosts.

    3. Make use of kitchen scraps.  Slugs are a gardener’s public enemy number 1, use broken eggshells or anything prickly (holly leaves work well too) scattered around your most precious plants to deter the slimy horrible critters from munching their way through the irresistible fresh new shoots.  Other kitchen scraps such a vegetable peelings can be added to the compost where they will provide valuable nutrients and help improve the structure of the soil.

    4. Use finished water bottles. Empty water bottles are one of the world’s biggest recycling problems but there are so many uses for them around the garden. In May when frosts can still happen, water bottles filled with water can be used to protect courgette plants. By filling up the bottle with collected rain water and then placing the bottle (or 2 of them) next to your courgette plants you can provide extra warmth during the last frosts. The water in the bottle will warm up during the day in the sun and then cool down slower than the air at night, thus keeping your plants toasty should a frost happen. Used water bottles can also be made into slow release drip feeders which will make efficient use of water as none runs away from its intended destination.

    With so many ways to recycle you need never look at your rubbish in the same way again!

    This article is a guest post from Dan Whiteside, Dan blogs about DIY and gardening topics at DIY Newbie, where he discusses a variety of issues including plumbing repairs and building projects.
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  • 09Feb

    Seed Planter – What to Plant Right Now

    What to plant right now:

    http://www.ufseeds.com/What-to-Plant-Now_85b60b42bd4546.html

    What to Plant Now

    Select the Current Month

    January March May July September November
    February April June August October December

    January

    It’s time for garden catalogs to arrive in the mail. January is a great time to start planning what you will be planting in your garden. Look through your catalogs and find the vegetable seeds for your garden. Some flower varieties should be started in January. In a warmer environment you can plant certain vegetables but must be ready for a frost. Indoor herbs are always great to grow in a sunny windowsill.

    Tomatoes and Peppers
    Get a head start on the growing season by starting your tomato and pepper seeds indoors. Most tomatoes and peppers will take 6-8 weeks to reach transplant size so plan according to your climate zone!
    Suggested tomato variety: Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, Roma, Sweetie, Heirloom Blend
    Suggested pepper variety: California Wonder, Early Jalapeno, Sweet Banana, Super Chili

    Onions
    Late January is a great time to start your onion seeds indoors if you live in a warmer gardening zone (6-10) For zones 1-5 start your onion seeds in mid-late February. Let the onions grow to 5-6 inches tall and cut tops off so they will be only 3 inches. Repeating this until they are transplanted helps strengthen the roots and health of the onions.
    Suggested onion varieties: Sweet White Walla Walla, Candy Hybrid, Yellow Sweet Spanish, Nebuka Evergreen

    Herbs
    Herbs are defiantly the most popular indoor plant to grow throughout the winter months. Try your hand at these 5 most popular herbs. Also check out the Urban Farmer Herb Kit
     Suggested variety: Basil, Chives, Oregano, Parsley, Thyme

    Annual and Perennial Flowers
    Now is a great time to get your spring flowers germinating and ready for spring! There are many different varieties of annuals and perennials with different grow times. Pay attention to grow times so that your flowers are ready to be planted after last frost. Below are some good varieties to start in January for a last frost in March and April!
    Annuals: Zinnas, Marigolds, Geraniums
    Perennials: Rudbeckias, Daisies, Poppies, Coneflowers

    February

    Get your garden planning started. In some warmer locations you can begin sowing your vegetable seeds outdoors. For cooler areas, February is a great time to sow your tomatoes and peppers. Start drawing out your garden for all the vegetables you want to grow. In late February there are several cool weather vegetables you can directly sow out in the garden. February is a great time to try a Garden Shot!

    Broccoli
    If you live in a warmer climate and can find a quick growing Broccoli variety you can harvest until it bolts in the hot summer sun!
    Suggested variety: Calabrese

    Herbs:
    Plant heat loving herbs like basil, oregano, thyme and sage.
    Suggested varieties: Italian Basil, Greek Oregano, Dill

    Lettuce
    Start a crop of salad mix greens that gets bright sun but not all day. Great for spring crops until the lettuce begins to bolt in the summer sun.
    Suggested Varieties: Buttercrunch, Mesclun Mix, Black Seeded Simpson

    Onions
    Get those onion seeds growing. Be careful to select an onion variety appropriate for your garden zone. Northern areas should plant long day onions. Southern regions should plant short day onions.
    Suggest variety: Sweet White Walla, Red Creol, Yellow Spanish

    Tomatoes and Peppers
    Get a head start on the growing season by starting your tomato and pepper seeds indoors. Most tomatoes and peppers will take 6-8 weeks to reach transplant size so plan according to your climate zone!

    Peppers
    Fresh, crisp peppers are a garden favorite. Peppers take up little space and can produce high yields when planted close together. Plant as many different varieties as possible. They come small, big, hot, mild, and an array of different colors. Start seeds indoors for best results.
    Suggested variety: California Wonder, Early Jalapeno, Sweet Banana, Super Chili

    Tomatoes
    The most popular garden vegetable. Growing tomatoes is not only fun but treats you to some of the best tasting fruits in the world. Tomatoes come in many colors, shapes, taste, and sizes. Grow a few varieties every year to find your favorites! Start seeds indoors for best results.
    Suggested variety: Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, Roma, Sweetie, Heirloom Blend

    March

    March is the perfect time to get those tomato and pepper seeds started indoors ready for an early spring planting! Also a great time to start planting those cool weather vegetables that can withstand those last frost days of March and April. A great time to try a Garden Shot!

    Beets
    Sow beets now for a fast, early summer treat.
    Suggested variety: Detroit Dark Red

    Broccoli
    If you live in a warmer climate and can find a quick growing Broccoli variety you can harvest until it bolts in the hot summer sun!
    Suggested variety: Calabrese

    Cabbage
    Cabbage is one of the easier plants to grow in the garden. Select a variety that is right for your location (size and maturity length). Be sure to fertilize and water when cabbage head begins to form.
    Suggested variety: Premium Late Flat Dutch, Golden Acre, Michihili

    Carrots
    Planting carrots by mid-July yields a fall crop that will keep in the garden until used.
    Suggested variety: Little Finger, Scarlet Nantes

    Corn
    One of the most rewarding and fast growing crops to grow. Corn is delicious when cooked only minutes after being pulled off the stalk. Try a small plot of corn, working your way to a large field of several varieties.
    Suggested variety: Peaches and Cream, Incredible, Sugar Buns

    Cucumbers
    Fast growing vine or bush cucumber plants can produce an abundance of cucumber fruits. Be careful to pick a variety for the space you have in your garden. Vine cucumbers can be the best tasting but need far more space than bush varieties.
    Suggest variety: Spacemaster 80, Muncher, Marketmore 76

    Herbs:
    Plant heat loving herbs like basil, oregano, thyme and sage.
    Suggested varieties: Italian Basil, Greek Oregano, Dill

    Lettuce
    Start a crop of salad mix greens that gets bright sun but not all day. Great for late summer and early fall crops.
    Suggested Varieties: Buttercrunch, Mesclun Mix, Black Seeded Simpson

    Melons
    Melons are some of the most rewarding plants to grow. Great for hot, long summers. A staple for summer picnics and family fun.
    Suggested variety: Sugar Baby, Crimson Sweet, Hales Best

    Onions
    Get those onion seeds growing. Be careful to select an onion variety appropriate for your garden zone. Northern areas should plant long day onions. Southern regions should plant short day onions.
    Suggest variety: Sweet White Walla, Red Creol, Yellow Spanish

    Peas
    Green peas and sugar peas are good to plant in July, and will produce a moderate fall harvest.
    Suggested variety: Sugar Ann, Oregon Giant

    Peppers
    Fresh, crisp peppers are a garden favorite. Peppers take up little space and can produce high yields when planted close together. Plant as many different varieties as possible. They come small, big, hot, mild, and an array of different colors.
    Suggested variety: California Wonder, Early Jalapeno, Sweet Banana, Super Chili

    Spinach
    Spinach is more of a cool weather vegetable and will produce until hot weather of summer. Planting in early March will ensure you have plenty of harvest before bolting.
    Suggested variety: Bloomsdale, Samish

    Summer Squash
    Yum! Summer squash sowing in June will lead to fresh squash and zucchini in July and August.
    Suggested Varieties: Cocozelle, Waltham Butternut

    Tomatoes
    The most popular garden vegetable. Growing tomatoes is not only fun but treats you to some of the best tasting fruits in the world. Tomatoes come in many colors, shapes, taste, and sizes. Grow a few varieties every year to find your favorites!
    Suggested variety: Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, Roma, Sweetie, Heirloom Blend

    April

    Yes, Yes, Yes! April is finally here and your garden soil is finally warming up! April is the best time to plant most of your vegetable seeds after your last frost. It’s still not too late to plant tomatoes and peppers from seeds as well. Check out the below vegetables that can be started in April. Be sure to check your gardening zone for last frost dates. Try a Salsa Garden this spring!

    Beans:
    Start planting both bush and pole beans now that the soil and air are warmed up. Try a continual 7-10 day sowing of different varieties. This will give you continual bean crops and not one large harvest with wasted crop.
    Suggested variety: Contender, Kentucky Wonder, Topcrop

    Beets
    Sow beets now for a fast, early summer treat.
    Suggested Varieties: Detroit Dark Red

    Cabbage
    Cabbage is one of the easier plants to grow in the garden. Select a variety that is right for your location (size and maturity length). Be sure to fertilize and water when cabbage head begins to form.
    Suggested variety: Premium Late Flat Dutch, Golden Acre, Michihili

    Carrots
    Planting carrots by April will give an early summer crop.
    Suggested variety: Little Finger, Scarlet Nantes

    Corn
    One of the most rewarding and fast growing crops to grow. Corn is delicious when cooked only minutes after being pulled off the stalk. Try a small plot of corn, working your way to a large field of several varieties.
    Suggested variety: Peaches and Cream, Incredible, Sugar Buns

    Cucumbers
    Fast growing vine or bush cucumber plants can produce an abundance of cucumber fruits. Be careful to pick a variety for the space you have in your garden. Vine cucumbers can be the best tasting but need far more space than bush varieties.
    Suggest variety: Spacemaster 80, Muncher, Marketmore 76

    Herbs:
    Plant heat loving herbs like basil, oregano, thyme and sage.
    Suggested varieties: Italian Basil, Greek Oregano, Dill

    Lettuce
    Start a crop of salad mix greens that gets bright sun but not all day. Great for late summer and early fall crops.
    Suggested Varieties: Buttercrunch, Mesclun Mix, Black Seeded Simpson

    Melons
    Melons are some of the most rewarding plants to grow. Great for hot, long summers. A staple for summer picnics and family fun.
    Suggested variety: Sugar Baby, Crimson Sweet, Hales Best

    Onions
    Get those onion seeds growing. Be careful to select an onion variety appropriate for your garden zone. Northern areas should plant long day onions. Southern regions should plant short day onions.
    Suggest variety: Sweet White Walla, Red Creol, Yellow Spanish

    Peas
    Green peas and sugar peas are good to plant in April, and will produce a May crop.
    Suggested variety: Sugar Ann, Oregon Giant

    Peppers
    Fresh, crisp peppers are a garden favorite. Peppers take up little space and can produce high yields when planted close together. Plant as many different varieties as possible. They come small, big, hot, mild, and an array of different colors.
    Suggested variety: California Wonder, Early Jalapeno, Sweet Banana, Super Chili

    Summer Squash
    Yum! Summer squash sowing in June will lead to fresh squash and zucchini in July and August.
    Suggested Varieties: Cocozelle, Waltham Butternut

    Tomatoes
    The most popular garden vegetable. Growing tomatoes is not only fun but treats you to some of the best tasting fruits in the world. Tomatoes come in many colors, shapes, taste, and sizes. Grow a few varieties every year to find your favorites!
    Suggested variety: Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, Roma, Sweetie, Heirloom Blend

    May

    Finally warm temperatures are here to stay and you don’t have to worry about that frost. You may think it’s too late to grow all your favorite vegetables from seed but warm May temperatures have made the soil perfect for sowing seeds. Warm soil will allow for fast germination and growing plants. Good choices are summertime kitchen garden staples like squash, beans, cucumbers and melons.

    Beans:
    Start planting both bush and pole beans now that the soil and air are warmed up. Try a continual 7-10 day sowing of different varieties. This will give you continual bean crops and not one large harvest with wasted crop.
    Suggested variety: Contender, Kentucky Wonder, Topcrop

    Beets
    Sow beets now for a fast, early summer treat.
    Suggested Varieties: Detroit Dark Red

    Cabbage
    Cabbage is one of the easier plants to grow in the garden. Select a variety that is right for your location (size and maturity length). Be sure to fertilize and water when cabbage head begins to form.
    Suggested variety: Premium Late Flat Dutch, Golden Acre, Michihili

    Carrots
    Planting carrots by mid-July yields a fall crop that will keep in the garden until used.
    Suggested variety: Little Finger, Scarlet Nantes

    Corn
    One of the most rewarding and fast growing crops to grow. Corn is delicious when cooked only minutes after being pulled off the stalk. Try a small plot of corn, working your way to a large field of several varieties.
    Suggested variety: Peaches and Cream, Incredible, Sugar Buns

    Cucumbers
    Fast growing vine or bush cucumber plants can produce an abundance of cucumber fruits. Be careful to pick a variety for the space you have in your garden. Vine cucumbers can be the best tasting but need far more space than bush varieties.
    Suggest variety: Spacemaster 80, Muncher, Marketmore 76

    Herbs:
    Plant heat loving herbs like basil, oregano, thyme and sage.
    Suggested varieties: Italian Basil, Greek Oregano, Dill

    Melons
    Melons are some of the most rewarding plants to grow. Great for hot, long summers. A staple for summer picnics and family fun.
    Suggested variety: Sugar Baby, Crimson Sweet, Hales Best

    Peppers
    Fresh, crisp peppers are a garden favorite. Peppers take up little space and can produce high yields when planted close together. Plant as many different varieties as possible. They come small, big, hot, mild, and an array of different colors. Start seeds indoors for best results.
    Suggested variety: California Wonder, Early Jalapeno, Sweet Banana, Super Chili

    Summer Squash
    Yum! Summer squash sowing in June will lead to fresh squash and zucchini in July and August.
    Suggested Varieties: Cocozelle, Waltham Butternut

    Tomatoes
    The most popular garden vegetable. Growing tomatoes is not only fun but treats you to some of the best tasting fruits in the world. Tomatoes come in many colors, shapes, taste, and sizes. Grow a few varieties every year to find your favorites! You may want to think about buy transplants in May.
    Suggested variety: Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, Roma, Sweetie, Heirloom Blend

    June

    Most fruiting plants like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants should already be in the ground. Many vegetables though will grow and produce even more quickly from seed planted in early summer when the soil is well warmed up and teeming with life.

    Beans:
    Beans are great for a June planting. Fast growing in warm soil will give you a crop in as little as 35 days with some varieties.
    Suggested variety: Contender, Kentucky Wonder, Topcrop

    Beets
    Sow beets now for a fast, mid-summer treat.
    Suggested Varieties: Detroit Dark Red

    Cabbage
    Cabbage is one of the easier plants to grow in the garden. Select a variety that is right for your location (size and maturity length). Be sure to fertilize and water when cabbage head begins to form.
    Suggested variety: Premium Late Flat Dutch, Golden Acre, Michihili

    Carrots
    Planting carrots by mid-June yields a late summer crop that will keep in the garden until used.
    Suggested variety: Little Finger, Scarlet Nantes

    Corn
    One of the most rewarding and fast growing crops to grow. Corn is delicious when cooked only minutes after being pulled off the stalk. Try a small plot of corn, working your way to a large field of several varieties.
    Suggested variety: Peaches and Cream, Incredible, Sugar Buns

    Cucumbers
    Fast growing vine or bush cucumber plants can produce an abundance of cucumber fruits. Be careful to pick a variety for the space you have in your garden. Vine cucumbers can be the best tasting but need far more space than bush varieties.
    Suggest variety: Spacemaster 80, Muncher, Marketmore 76

    Herbs:
    Plant heat loving herbs like basil, oregano, thyme and sage.
    Suggested varieties: Italian Basil, Greek Oregano, Dill

    Melons
    Melons are some of the most rewarding plants to grow. Great for hot, long summers. A staple for summer picnics and family fun.
    Suggested variety: Sugar Baby, Crimson Sweet, Hales Best

    Peas
    Green peas and sugar peas are good to plant in July, and will produce a great summer crop of fresh, crisp peas.
    Suggested variety: Sugar Ann, Oregon Giant

    Summer Squash
    Yum! Summer squash sowing in June will lead to fresh squash and zucchini in July and August.
    Suggested Varieties: Cocozelle, Waltham Butternut

    July

    There are still some great crops that can be planted that will keep your garden pumping out vegetables well into the fall.

    Beans:
    Start planting both bush and pole beans now that the soil and air are warmed up. Try a continual 7-10 day sowing of different varieties. This will give you continual bean crops and not one large harvest with wasted crop.
    Suggested variety: Contender, Kentucky Wonder, Topcrop

    Broccoli
    Broccoli can be planted in the fall to produce a crop well into November.
    Suggested variety: Calabrese

    Carrots
    Planting carrots by mid-July yields a fall crop that will keep in the garden until used.
    Suggested variety: Scarlet Nantes

    Corn
    One of the most rewarding and fast growing crops to grow. Corn is delicious when cooked only minutes after being pulled off the stalk. Try a small plot of corn, working your way to a large field of several varieties. Last practical date to plant any corn variety is the first week in July. Must plant an early maturing corn variety.
    Suggested variety: Bodacious, Sugar Buns, Early Golden Bantam

    Cucumbers
    Fast growing vine or bush cucumber plants can produce an abundance of cucumber fruits. Be careful to pick a variety for the space you have in your garden. Vine cucumbers can be the best tasting but need far more space than bush varieties.
    Suggest variety: Spacemaster 80, Muncher, Marketmore 76

    Kale
    Planting kale mid-July through mid-August will yield an excellent harvest in the fall and winter.
    Suggested variety: Dwarf Blue

    August

    August is an ideal time to plant seeds for a second gardening season that can be as productive as your major early spring plantings. Late summer is the time to plant these vegetables and herbs.

    Beans:
    Start planting both bush and pole beans now that the soil and air are warmed up. Try a continual 7-10 day sowing of different varieties. This will give you continual bean crops and not one large harvest with wasted crop. Early August is the last practical sowing date.
    Suggested variety: Contender, Kentucky Wonder, Topcrop

    Cucumbers
    Fast growing vine or bush cucumber plants can produce an abundance of cucumber fruits. Be careful to pick a variety for the space you have in your garden. Vine cucumbers can be the best tasting but need far more space than bush varieties.
    Suggest variety: Spacemaster 80, Muncher, Marketmore 76

    Flower Bulbs
    August is a great time to plant those fall flower bulbs. There are many varieties that can be planted this fall and start blooming early spring. Flower Bulbs

    Kale
    Planting kale mid-July through mid-August will yield an excellent harvest in the fall and winter.
    Suggested variety: Dwarf Blue

    Lettuce
    Sow lettuce in August for a fall crop. Try growing early harvest varieties that will produce a harvest before cold weather rolls in.
    Suggested Varieties: Buttercrunch, Salad Bowl

    Peas
    Green peas and sugar peas are good to plant in August, and will produce a moderate fall harvest.
    Suggested variety: Sugar Ann

    Radish
    A quick and easy vegetable to grow. Plant now and you can have them ready in 30 days.
    Suggested variety: Cherry Belle

    Spinach
    Spinach is more of a cool weather vegetable and is great to grow in August.
    Suggested variety: Bloomsdale, Samish

    September

    Although September marks the beginning of fall, there are still a few fast growing vegetables that can be planted this month and be harvested before the first frost in most gardening zones. Remember to keep your soil warm by removing all mulch and maybe try using a plastic sheet to trap heat into the soil. Try these vegetables below and you can still take advantage of your garden this fall.

    Blueberries
    Fall is the perfect time to plant blueberry plants. Planting in the fall will allow for good root growth and early growth this coming spring.
    Suggested variety: Blueberry Bluecrop

    Broccoli
    If you live in a warmer climate and can find a quick growing Broccoli variety you can harvest well into November.
    Suggested variety: Calabrese

    Flower Bulbs
    September is a great time to plant those fall flower bulbs. There are many varieties that can be planted this fall and start blooming early spring. Flower Bulbs

    Garlic
    Garlic is a vegetable that can be planted in the fall for a larger and earlier harvest this coming spring.
    Suggested variety: Italian Garlic

    Lettuce
    Sow lettuce late summer for a fall crop. Grow fast maturing varieties.
    Suggested Varieties: Buttercrunch

    Radish
    A quick and easy vegetable to grow. Plant now and you can have them ready in 30 days.
    Suggested variety: Cherry Belle

    Spinach
    Spinach is more of a cool weather vegetable and is great to grow in September.
    Suggested variety: Bloomsdale, Olympia Hybrid, Samish

    October

    Fall is here and many vegetables don’t have enough time to develop before your first frost. There are still a few vegetables that can be planted in October.

    Blueberries
    Fall is the perfect time to plant blueberry plants. Planting in the fall will allow for good root growth and early growth this coming spring.
    Suggested variety: Blueberry Bluecrop

    Flower Bulbs
    October is a great time to plant those fall flower bulbs. There are many varieties that can be planted this fall and start blooming early spring. Flower Bulbs

    Garlic
    Garlic is a vegetable that can be planted in the fall for a larger and earlier harvest this coming spring.
    Suggested variety: Italian Garlic

    Herbs
    Herbs are defiantly the most popular indoor plant to grow throughout the winter months. Try your hand at these 5 most popular herbs. Also check out the Urban Farmer Herb Kit
    Suggested variety: Basil, Chives, Oregano, Parsley, Thyme

    November

    Don’t be sad, you can still grow a lot of different plants inside. This is a great time of the year to clone some of your outside plants or grow them from seed indoors. Grow herbs on the windowsill!

    Herbs
    Herbs are defiantly the most popular indoor plant to grow throughout the winter months. Try your hand at these 5 most popular herbs. Also check out the Urban Farmer Herb Kit
    Suggested variety: Basil, Chives, Oregano, Parsley, Thyme

    Indoor Plants
    Growing flowers indoors can be a good way to pass the winter months. Try growing an indoor Amaryllis flower kit. These beautiful flowers will brighten up your house and give off a nice aroma.
    Suggest: Seasonal Decorations

    Vegetables
    If you live in some warmer climates it is a perfect time to plant vegetables. Try some of the cool weather vegetables that can survive now that the summer heat is over.
    Suggest variety: Lettuce, Radish, Spinach, Broccoli, Carrots

    December

    It’s time for the garden seed catalogs to arrive! Start planning your garden wherever you live. Try growing some fresh herbs inside on your kitchen windowsill.

    Herbs
    Herbs are defiantly the most popular indoor plant to grow throughout the winter months. Try your hand at these 5 most popular herbs. Also check out the Urban Farmer Herb Kit
     Suggested variety: Basil, Chives, Oregano, Parsley, Thyme

    Vegetables
    If you live in some warmer climates it is a perfect time to plant vegetables. Try some of the cool weather vegetables that can survive now that the summer heat is over.
    Suggest variety: Lettuce, Radish, Spinach, Broccoli, Carrots

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  • 03Aug

    Plants communicate with each other by using clicking sounds

    http://io9.com/5919973/plants-communicate-with-each-other-by-using-clicking-sounds

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  • 24May

    The top 10 most profitable plants to grow in your garden

    http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-most-profitable-plants-for-118906

    The Cheap Vegetable Gardener has put together a great list of vegetables and their corresponding value per square footage. Basing his estimates on the typical yield of various plants per square foot and the organic supermarket price of the corresponding produce, this list may help you decide which vegetables are worth your time (and save you money) and which ones you might be better off buying in the store.

    The top 10 most profitable plants to grow in your garden (Vegetable, USD Value/SF):

    Cilantro – $21.20
    Arugula-Roquette – $20.92
    Green Salad Mix – $17.55
    Chives – $16.40
    Dill – $16.40
    Lettuce – $16.20
    Tomato, Cherry, small & medium – $15.57
    Turnip – $9.90
    Tomato, large – $9.50
    Squash, Winter – $8.40

    Top 10 least profitable plants to grow in your garden (Vegetable, USD Value/SF):

    Eggplant – $1.10
    Greens, Mustard $1.10
    Rutabaga – $1.00
    Beet – $0.89
    Cabbage, Savoy – $0.80
    Broccoli – $0.80
    Kohlrabi – $0.75
    Cauliflower – $0.60
    Broccoli, Chinese – $0.60
    Cabbage – $0.50

    See the entire list at TheCheapVegetableGardener.com

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  • 16Apr

    Indian Man Single-Handedly Plants a 1,360 Acre Forest

    Indian Man Single-Handedly Plants a 1,360 Acre Forest
    -This is a cool story.He started it at age 17!

    http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/man-single-handedly-plants-entire-forest.html

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  • 23Feb

    Reuse Glass Bottles As Watering Globes For Your Plants

    Reuse Glass Bottles As Watering Globes For Your Plants
    via CRAFT by Rachel Hobson on 2/23/11

    http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/02/reuse_glass_bottles_as_waterin.html

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  • 10Jan

    Use Melted Snow To Water Your Plants in the Winter

    http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/hot-tip/hot-tip-use-melted-snow-to-water-your-plants-in-the-winter-136348?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+apartmenttherapy%2Fre-nest+%28Re-Nest%29

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    If you’re in a part of the country experiencing heavy amounts of snow this time of year, this tip may come in handy. Just as you catch rainwater during the warmer seasons, why not make use of all that snow now to water your plants? Save water and put all that shoveling to good use!

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