Time To Get Building!

 Building a garden is the first step and a great way to get outside and get your hands dirty. Here are some tips to help you get started on your journey to fresh fruits and vegetables:

1. Choose the right location - The first step in building a garden is to choose the right location. You'll want an area that gets plenty of sunlight, is easy to access and can be reached with a hose. Don't make the mistake of building your garden out of reach of water, trekking back and forth with a watering can is not fun. 

2. Build your garden bed - Once you've chosen your location, it's time to build your garden bed. I use wood and make sure it's slightly elevated. You will also need chicken wire or something to enclose it to keep the animals from eating all your produce.

Here is a photo of my garden from earlier this week! 

3. Prepare the soil - Before you start planting, it's important to prepare the soil. You can buy good planting soil at any garden store. I usually create a mix of store bought garden soil, rich dark dirt from my yard and compost and other food waste. A few years ago I bumped into a lady at work that recommended I used lobster compost. Ever since then I have been using it and it has worked wonders on my garden. If you've never tried it, I highly recommend it! 

4. Plant your garden - Once your garden bed is built and the soil is prepared, it's time to start planting. For first time gardeners, I recommend buying plants that have already started growing. Starting from seeds can be difficult and requires starting much earlier in spring. 

5. Water - After you've planted your garden, it's important to water regularly. Most plants need about an inch of water per week but sometimes more, so be sure to keep an eye on the weather and adjust your watering as needed. You can also use fertilizer to help your plants grow strong and healthy. With the unpredictable weather we so often see in New England, it can be hard figuring out when to and when not to water. I look for loss of color to the plant, wilted leaves and dry dusty soil. If I notice any of these things, it usually means the plant is thirsty.  

Building a garden is a very rewarding experience but requires some planning and hard work. Give it a try!