By Vanessa Richins

Are you starting a garden for the first time and don’t know how to decide where to plant all of your vegetables?

Want to try different scenarios with what you want to grow?

Gardener’s Supply Company is offering an online tool to help you plot out your vegetable garden.

Their tool will help you create a 3 x 6′ planting map.  You can choose from 6 preset designs or input your own selections.

-All American Garden
-Cook’s Choice
-High Yield Read the rest of this entry »

By Vanessa Richins

If you were building your own house, you wouldn’t start nailing boards together and hope for the best, would you?

You can avoid some problems in your edible garden if you take time to thoughtfully plan it out instead of just buying plants and putting them anywhere.

1) Measure the plot out

First, start by measuring out the space you have available. There are several ways to do this. You can measure the length of your own foot, then carefully step off the area. If it’s a small plot, use a measuring tape. You may want a contractor’s measuring wheel (I bought one for about $15) for larger plots.

If you are using containers, write down how many you have and how big they are.

2) How will you water?

Think about how you will be watering your crops. It’s harder if you have to carry buckets of water over long distances.

3) Think of what you like to eat

One common mistake gardeners make is Read the rest of this entry »

By Cindy Naas

It’s almost here!

Gardening season, for those of us who haven’t yet built a cold frame, is very nearly here.

Starting this month, Urban Garden Casual will be including a monthly plan of projects you should consider for the gardening season.

Yes, there is still snow on the ground, but the wise gardener will have a list of chores to accomplish even in this cold month.

1. Make sure you’ve sent for a variety of seed catalogs. There are so many to choose from, from the standard seed companies to those selling only organic seeds to ones specializing in heirloom varieties. You still have time to try something new in your garden this year.

2. Buy seeds. It’s definitely time to get your order in, if you Read the rest of this entry »

By Cindy Naas

I am really big on keeping a detailed gardener’s journal.

My memory isn’t nearly as good as I am sometimes tempted to think it is, and I don’t want to lose the names of current favorite veggies I’ve enjoyed growing.

I also don’t want to make the same mistakes in next year’s garden that I made this year.

This year, my upside -down tomato pot was stolen early in the growing season, so I still have no opinion of how that worked. I intend to try it again next summer. My grape tomatoes did not live up to expectation and will not be grown again. The heirloom Brandywines were heavy croppers as usual.

The early lettuces did well, however Read the rest of this entry »

By Vanessa Richins

One of the most important parts of planting a garden is planning ahead.

Your garden will look much better and you will save money and keep yourself from getting frustrated.

Here are a few suggestions you should consider when planning out your garden.

1. Size is everything! One of the most important parts of proper planning is considering the size of your garden in comparison to the size of the plants in it. When you are designing your garden, you should draw up your garden complete with accurate measurements. This will help you pick the proper plants.

In a forum I moderate, someone said Read the rest of this entry »