#vegetable seeds for home garden

[urbanfarmers]

How to Start an Urban Garden in Small Spaces: A Beginner's Guide

Urban living often means limited space, but that shouldn’t deter you from cultivating your own fresh produce. With a little creativity and planning, you can transform even the tiniest balcony or window sill into a thriving urban kitchen garden. Here’s your ultimate guide to get started.

1. Assess Your Space

Before you dive into planting, take a good look at your available space. Whether it’s a sunny windowsill, a balcony, or a small yard, understanding your space will help you choose the right plants.

Light: Most vegetables and herbs need at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. Observe how the sunlight moves across your space to identify the sunniest spots.

Size: Consider how much space you have for pots and containers. Vertical gardening with shelves or hanging planters can maximize your space.

Access: Ensure you have easy access to water and that your plants are within reach for regular maintenance.

2. Choose Your Containers

Containers are key to urban gardening. They come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, including:

Pots and Planters: Ideal for most plants. Ensure they have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.

Raised Beds: Perfect for those with a bit more space. They can be placed on balconies or in small yards.

Vertical Gardens: Use wall-mounted planters or trellises to grow herbs and small veggies in a compact area.

Hanging Baskets: Great for trailing plants like cherry tomatoes or strawberries.

3. Select the Right Soil

Good soil is crucial for healthy plants. Urban gardeners often use potting mixes designed for containers, which offer better drainage and aeration compared to garden soil. Look for soil mixes that are rich in organic matter and nutrients.

Potting Mix: Choose a high-quality mix with good drainage properties.

Compost: Enhance soil fertility by adding compost. It enriches the soil with essential nutrients and improves its structure.

4. Pick the Right Plants

When choosing plants for your urban kitchen garden, consider the amount of sunlight your space receives and how much time you can dedicate to care.

Herbs: Basil, mint, parsley, and chives are easy to grow and perfect for small spaces. They thrive in containers and can be used in your everyday cooking.

Leafy Greens: Spinach, lettuce, and kale are great for shaded areas and can be harvested continuously.

Vegetables: Cherry tomatoes, peppers, and radishes do well in pots. Choose dwarf or compact varieties if space is limited.

Fruiting Plants: Strawberries and dwarf citrus trees are suitable for containers and can add a touch of greenery to your space.

5. Water Wisely

Consistent watering is vital for the health of your plants. Container plants often dry out faster than garden beds, so check the moisture level regularly.

Watering Schedule: Most plants need to be watered once or twice a week, but this can vary. Check the top inch of soil; if it’s dry, it’s time to water.

Drainage: Ensure your containers have drainage holes. Excess water can lead to root rot, so make sure the excess can escape.

6. Fertilize and Maintain

Plants in containers require regular feeding as nutrients are quickly depleted. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer or organic options like compost or worm castings.

Fertilizing: Apply fertilizer according to the needs of your plants. Over-fertilizing can be harmful, so follow instructions on the product label.

Pruning: Regularly prune plants to encourage healthy growth and prevent overcrowding. Remove dead or yellowing leaves to improve air circulation.

7. Pest Control

Even small gardens can face pest issues. Keep an eye out for common pests such as aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies.

Natural Remedies: Use natural pest control methods like neem oil, insecticidal soap, or introduce beneficial insects such as ladybugs.

Preventive Measures: Maintain plant health by not overwatering and ensuring good air circulation to minimize pest problems.

8. Harvest and Enjoy

The best part of gardening is reaping the rewards. Harvest your produce at the peak of freshness for the best flavor and nutritional value. Most herbs can be snipped as needed, while vegetables and fruits should be picked when they reach their mature size.

Conclusion

Starting an urban kitchen garden is not only rewarding but also a great way to enhance your cooking with fresh, homegrown ingredients. By assessing your space, choosing the right containers and plants, and maintaining a proper care routine, you can create a flourishing garden even in the heart of the city. Embrace the joy of gardening and enjoy the taste of your very own urban harvest. Happy gardening!

[petula-xx]

For a few reasons, I wasn't going to grow tomatoes this year.

Then I added some compost to a few beds to help refresh them.

Apparently there were many tomato seeds in that compost.

Now I am growing around 200 tomato plants, but not all will survive.

Let the tomato Hunger Games begin!!!

[ghostoffuturespast]

Nothing like a little night gardening 🌙🌱

[chokrihizem]

Starting watermelon seeds indoors offers a rewarding way to jump-start your melon-growing season and enjoy a bountiful harvest of sweet, juicy fruits. By following this complete guide, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and skills to successfully start watermelon seeds indoors!

Seedling Success: Starting Watermelon Seeds Indoors

[wildrungarden]

3/5/23 - Tiny Tim’s & Moon Tomatoes coming thru as well 🍅

[awkward-fallen-angel]

I further document how quickly my seeds are growing. The cukes are going crazy.

[masgwi]

Starting Seeds Indoors Without Grow Lights

Finding the right window to start your seeds in is the first and most crucial step in the process. Your home naturally maintains the heat needed for seeds to germinate when given the right growing medium. The issue will be getting enough sunlight to your plants. 

You will want to find a south facing window location that brings in as much sunlight as possible. Find the window area that seems like the best candidate and observe the light coming through it in the morning, throughout the day, and at night. Are there trees shading where your seedlings would sit? Does anything else impede the sunlight from hitting the plants directly. You will want to make sure your plants are soaking in that sunlight for the bulk of the day.

[importantwhisperspizza]

Lower your shopping bill and get a better product...Go Here

[ediblegardenspointloma]

Easy From Seed Vegetables

The content of this blog post is from Home Garden Seed Association. It’s an excellent resource for home gardeners. They promote gardening from seed as the easy, natural and economical way to garden. Their website provides well researched and useful articles about how to garden from seed. Need inspo?

Beans, Beets, Cucumbers, Kale, Peas, Radishes, Salad Greens, Squash, Swiss Chard

Most of the vegetables typically grown in a home garden can be sown directly in the garden soil. These include salad greens of all kinds—lettuces, mizuna, arugula, spinach, and mustards—as well as beans and peas, root vegetables, summer and winter squash, and cool season cooked greens like kale and chard.

First, prepare the garden bed, loosening the soil and incorporating plenty of compost. Then, simply follow the guidelines below. In just weeks, your bountiful, delectable summer harvest will begin!

Left to right: Bean seedling, lettuce seedlings, chard seedling

Beans may be pole beans, or they may have a bush habit. In either case, wait until nighttime temps stay consistently above 50ºF to sow. For bush beans, poke seeds into the soil about an inch deep and 4 inches apart in rows that are about 1½ feet apart. Two sowings, about 3 weeks apart, will extend the harvest. For pole beans, be sure set up the trellis prior to planting time.

Beet seeds are actually clusters of seeds. Once danger of frost has passed plant them about an inch apart and ½ inch deep—and don’t be surprised if clumps of seedlings emerge. Thin them to about 2 inches apart when they are an inch or two tall, and again as the plants develop. When plants are 3 inches apart and plump enough for your purposes, you can harvest some at the baby stage, allowing others to enlarge.

Cucumbers will be set back by cold nights, so wait until nighttime temps stay above 50ºF. Sow 5 or 6 seeds, covered by an inch of soil, in a low mound, and thin to the 3 best plants as they start to develop. In a small garden, you can grow cucumbers up a trellis or fence.

Kale seeds can be sown in early spring, about 2 inches apart and ½ inch deep. Thin plants to about 12 inches apart when they are 3 to 4 inches tall, using the thinnings in salads. Begin harvesting outside leaves when plants have at least 6 sets of leaves. A second kale sowing in late summer will provide greens into the winter.

Peas, especially edible-podded peas, are a productive spring crop. They require some support, so plant seeds next to a fence or erect a structure to support them before planting. Sow seeds an inch deep and 2 to 3 inches apart in early spring. Generally, no thinning is needed.

Radish seeds can be sown in early spring, spaced 1 inch apart and covered with ½ inch of soil. Thin them early to 2 inches apart to give them room to develop. Rather than planting a big row, sow small amounts a week apart for a continuous harvest.

Salad Greens, planted thickly in wide rows, can be harvested two or even three times. Make successive small sowings until the weather turns hot for a steady supply of baby greens. Beginning in early spring, broadcast the seeds so that they fall about an inch apart and cover with ¼ inch of soil. Firm gently and keep the bed evenly moist. Harvest with scissors when they are 4 to 5 inches tall, and allow the plants to regrow.

Squash will be set back by cold nights, so wait to plant until nighttime temps stay above 50ºF. Sow 4 or 5 seeds in a low mound, covered by an inch of soil, and thin to the 2 best plants as they start to develop. Summer squash, such as zucchini or patty pan, are tender and tasty when harvested young, no larger than 6 inches. If you have the space, you can also plant summer and winter squashes in staggered rows.

Swiss Chard seeds, like beets, are clustered seeds. Sow them ½ inch deep and 2 inches apart once danger of frost has passed. Thin the seedlings when they develop two sets of leaves and add the thinnings to salads. Final spacing should be 12 to 15 inches apart.

[home--farm]

It's been hot and dry and you'd never know we live in a temperate rainforest by the weather. Fortunately we're on year four of intensive composting and tree planting, and grey water from the bath and dish rinsing gets syphoned out to the garden via a cheap bit of plastic brewer's tubing. This means the garden pretty much never dries out and everything, including the stand of douglas fir trees down the slope from the garden, is thriving.

(pictured: Purple podded peas in bloom)

[urbanfarmers]

Cultivating a Home Garden with Vegetable Seeds

Urban Farmer offers a wide selection of vegetable seeds for home gardens. Their range includes seeds for container-friendly vegetables, ideal for those with limited space. Some popular options include the Yellow Petite Bell Pepper, a high-yielding mini bell pepper; the Buena Mulata Pepper, a vibrant ornamental hot pepper; and the Bride Eggplant, known for its delicate taste and striking appearance.

[petula-xx]

Late Winter/ early Spring is party time for the Yellow Podded Peas!

[thegardenenthusiast]

A Beginner's Guide to Growing Herbs Indoors: Tips for Thriving Indoor Herb Gardens

For those who have never grown herbs before, cultivating them indoors can be a delightful and fragrant experience. Growing an indoor herb garden is a wonderful and doable hobby, regardless of your interest in cooking or just the convenience of having fresh herbs on hand. This in-depth guide will show you how to successfully grow your very own indoor herb garden..

Choosing the Right Herbs: Start by selecting herbs that are well-suited for indoor cultivation. Popular choices include basil, mint, rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Choose herbs that share similar growing requirements to simplify maintenance.

Selecting the Right Containers: Choosing the right containers is crucial for successful indoor herb gardening. Ensure that your pots have adequate drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Additionally, consider the size of the pots, allowing ample space for root growth.

The Perfect Potting Mix: Herbs thrive in well-draining soil. Create a suitable potting mix by combining regular potting soil with perlite or coarse sand to enhance drainage. This ensures that your herbs receive the right balance of water and air.

Providing Adequate Light: Indoor herbs require plenty of sunlight to thrive. Place your herb garden near a south-facing window where they can receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. If natural light is scarce, consider supplementing with fluorescent grow lights.

Watering Wisely: Overwatering is a common mistake in herb gardening. Allow the topsoil to dry out slightly before watering. When watering, do so thoroughly, ensuring the water reaches the roots. Always use a saucer under the pots to catch excess water and prevent water damage.

Temperature and Humidity: Most herbs prefer temperatures between 60-70°F (15-21°C). Ensure the indoor environment remains well-ventilated, as stagnant air can lead to problems like mold. Humidity levels between 40-60% are generally suitable for herb cultivation.

Fertilizing Routine: Herbs benefit from periodic feeding during the growing season. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. Be cautious not to over-fertilize, as this can harm the plants.

Pruning and Harvesting: Regular pruning encourages bushier growth and prevents herbs from becoming leggy, or similarly, elongated or stretched. Harvest leaves in the morning when the essential oils are most concentrated. Avoid removing more than one-third of the plant at a time to ensure continued growth.

Dealing with Common Pests: Keep an eye out for common pests like aphids and spider mites. A mild solution of water and dish soap can help control these pests. Alternatively, introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs to keep your indoor garden pest-free.

In closing, embarking on the journey of growing herbs indoors is a delightful adventure for beginners. By choosing the right herbs, containers, soil, and providing the optimal growing conditions, you'll soon be enjoying the bountiful harvest of your indoor herb garden. Follow these tips, stay patient, and watch as your herbs flourish, bringing a touch of freshness to your culinary endeavors. Happy herb gardening!

[chokrihizem]

Zucchini, also known as courgette, is a beloved and versatile vegetable that many people enjoy. It is packed with nutrients, low in calories, and can be used in a variety of dishes. If you want to have access to zucchini all year-round, it's important to learn how to grow zucchini seeds indoors. This method allows you to start growing zucchini plants early and harvest fresh zucchinis sooner!

How to Germinate Zucchini Seeds Indoors

[wildrungarden]

4/4/23 - Romas 🍅

I’ve still got to transplant all the peppers and other seedlings. I’ve been a bad plant mom this year so far 😅 I need to transplant these to bigger pots as well!

I got some potato starts & onion starts I need to plant this month too!

[awkward-fallen-angel]

I further document how quickly my seeds are growing. The cukes are going crazy.