Easy Guidelines to Plant your Backyard Garden

I can be a procrastinator… and due to the weather/vacations/etc, I’ve delayed on planting my back porch city garden.

Starting a garden isn’t an easy task – some plants can be easier to grow and benefit from than others.

Luckily, I got some advice from MNN’s  Mother Nature Network to help my planting:

• Space out planting foods that have a short harvest season – so you always have something to benefit from than a limited time period of abundance. For example, lettuce is easily grown at the beginning and end of summer.
• Easiest garden foods for first timers include yellow squash, zucchini, potatoes, radishes and tomatoes.
• Try putting potatoes & zucchinis in a planting container to control their growth – otherwise they may overtake your garden. (This isn’t a problem for me since all my plants are grown in containers!)
• Radishes can tolerate shade and can bloom beginning 6 weeks from planting if you water them regularly
• Strawberries can be grown in a plot, window box or basket they may not be the most abundant if in a pot from experience…)
• Tomatoes are always fun for gardens and pots!
• Try growing some herbs – Dill, parsley, & chives are a few of the easiest that grow abundantly and reseed themselves yearly.  Anise, basil, lavender & mint will also enhance your garden with aromas and beauty.  (And i loveee basil, tomato and mozzarella sandwiches/salads courtesy of the garden...)
• 2 vital rules of gardening: 1) weed regularly (avoid those plant killers) and water in morning.

Readers, what do you have planned for your gardens this season?

Posted  by Julie

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher