Early Gardening Tips

This thread is for sharing personal tips, videos, or websites that provide helpful information to gardeners this year. Please add one subject at a time unless your video has more. Also, list the subject if it's not printed on the video heading.

This is how to start your garden early while protecting it from frost. I've taken classes on low tunnel method, but this year I will put to use my individual clear mini greenhouse covers and bottled water jugs. The first are essentially clear plastic umbrellas. The jugs can be used as described in the video. Keep the bottoms that you cut off and use them as overflow trays for your seed starters.

Hi, I'm back. That's a good idea I've seen it before but never tried it. I'm about to direct sow some greens in the garden when it dries a little. We've bought plants of early stuff before but I like to direct sow when I can.

🖐️☺️🍵🌱🥬
It's so good to hear from you.
I hope you are doing well.

I'm doing pretty good. Been very busy. And you?

I was concerned, but glad to hear that you are back.

Spring is pretty much here, so this weekend I will plan my outside work for the rest of the month. It snowed yesterday and was in the low 60s today. Spring is always busy around here. I'm feeling great and looking forward to it.

Yes I love Spring, gardening and all that. But I like summer better.

Sounds good.. If you can get hold of water jugs before they are crushed, you will get a good head start. Even then, they can be opened back up.
I just bought a two pounds of organic baby arugula and a package of purple lettuce. I think any colder tolerant varieties would be perfect. I think I might start with kale, beets ( greens are good), garlic if it's not too late, and a few others.

What kind of gardening do you like to do?

I love summer gardens. Tomatoes, green beans, peppers, corn, etc. But really I want to do spring and fall gardening too. I'm not sure that we won't be moving so I might not get to have a summer garden here but I at least am gonna plant some early stuff!

That sounds like a good plan. You'll be looking for a short grow season then. I'll be doing that in a couple raised beds. Then replanting perennials in better places after cutting back most of my big old maple that's shading too much.

There you go. I think it would be nice to do raised beds. Have you ever planted garlic in the fall?

Yes, but I forgot to last fall when I should have. I'll have some come back though.
I have a permanent home here in West Virginia, so my longer goal is to plant enough perennial food in case things change. That way it keeps coming back with less time invested. They call it a food forest when there's a small area set up with a variety of them. It looks like the world is becoming less stable. Planning for the future.

I agree. What types of perennials?

Sunchokes/ Jerusalem Artichokes are a delicacy that provides winter carbs from the roots. Sweet potatoes too, but you have to replant them in this zone or cover with heavy mulch. Berries, Goose berries, blue berries, huckleberries, raspberries, thornless blackberries, fruit trees, grapes. Eastern Hemlocks (the trees, not the toxic plants)that provide nutrients year round and a good source of vitamin C. I like the grapes, but am starting over. Hopefully the root stocks will regrow.

Here's a description. I'm not recommending the strategy session or program. It's just a format that someone with the property can do for times ahead.

https://foodforestabundance.com

This is the idea. It's just a short promo video.

That is a great idea. I like Jerusalem artichokes. They grew wild in KY where we used to live. Thanks I'll look at the videos!

You actually have eaten them before?
Wow, Very impressed! I have a domestic variety that are hardy. The wild are just as good, just smaller IMHO.
They aren't that commonly sold in stores.
How did you learn about wild edibles?

I guess the time has gotten away from me. I Better get to sleep soon. Good night.

Yes different people have shared their knowledge. And my mom has researched that too.

She's a smart lady. It sounds like she takes extra care of her children.