Romaine Calm and Garden On: Tips to Get Your Garden Growing
The summer months can be a great time to take up a new hobby. With more free time, sunny weather, and yard work on the mind, starting up your very own garden may be the challenge you’ve been looking for! Not only does it provide you with an abundance of fresh produce and juicy fruits, but it can be a great way to get the whole family involved. So, take that leaf of faith, romaine calm, and build that garden from the ground up! We’re rooting for you and have some tips to help you along!
LOCATION
Picking the right spot to start your garden can be one of the most important steps, and there are a few considerations that you’ll want to keep in mind. The first is sunlight. We recommend paying attention to how sunlight shifts throughout the day in different parts of your yard before deciding where to begin growing. Most edible plants, such as your favorite fruits and vegetables, require at least 6 hours of sunlight in order to thrive. However, it is important to read the care instructions for each type of plant as this may vary.
Keeping your garden close to a water source is another important consideration, as a healthy garden comes from satisfying thirsty crops. If carrying buckets of water to and from your garden seems tiresome, we recommend locating your plants within reach of a hose or even sprinkler system. When you notice the surface of the soil looks dry, it may be time to give them some water.
Finding a carrier to haul your most frequently used garden tools can be another great way to help cut down on that back and forth between your plants and the shed and/or garage. Our versatile Under Sink Storage Caddy can be a great option. With its durable plastic construction which is easy to clean, it can hold up to 15 lbs. (6.8 kgs) allowing for organized and accessible storage of all your gardening rakes, shovels, and more. Its wide base and adjustable divider is perfect for helping to transport new seedlings to the garden. And with a well-balanced handle, you’ll never have to worry about anything falling out of place!
SOIL
Once you decide on the perfect place, it’s time to get your soil ready! In order to get the most out of your summer garden, you’ll need quality soil that is rich in nutrients. And before you spend hundreds on premium brand-named packages of gardening soil, consider what you may already have around the house! Yes, we’re talking about all those kitchen scraps that get tossed out with the rest of the trash. Why spend that extra money when you can just harness the energy of apple peels, eggshells, or even coffee grounds?
With the help of our Kitchen Composter, it’s never been easier to turn that trash into nutrients for your garden! Simply begin collecting appropriate scraps in the silicone bucket, and once full, its lightweight and portable design will allow you to easily transport the compost to your garden. Just invert the flexible silicone and empty the scraps into a small ditch between crops and cover them up. As they break down underground, the nutrients will be added to the soil providing your crops with the supplements they need to thrive.
HARVEST
As your crops begin to grow with the help of your nutrient-rich compost, you’ll need to start thinking about the long anticipated harvesting steps. That’s right, it’s almost time to eat your fresh fruits and veggies! But, before you get too excited, it's important to keep in mind that patience is key. Avoid picking until they become ripe and firm in order to enjoy their full flavor.
Once it's finally time to pick, make sure you are being gentle with the produce. It's common for fruits and vegetables to get bruised during harvest, which can not only lead to unwanted appearance, but also rotting and shorter lifespans after gathering. Using a basket or caddy, such as our Household Cleaning Caddy, can help you to avoid dropping crops and bruising produce. With its three split compartments, you can easily separate fruits from vegetables and prevent any rolling/shifting during transport.
For harder to reach produce, such as apples or blueberries, we recommend getting a lift with the help of our Easy-Close 2-Step Stool. Climbing on branches or pulling off fruits from above can cause damage to trees and stunt their growth. Having a portable, lightweight step stool handy helps to ensure trees stay looking and feeling their healthiest.
EAT/ENJOY
According to the Food Drug Administration, it is always a good idea to wash all your fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consumption. This means giving your homegrown produce a scrub before cutting, peeling, or cooking to reduce the risk of harmful bacteria. This may mean cleaning off firm produce with a kitchen brush, such as our Soap Dispensing Palm Brush, or rinsing more delicate crops with the help of our Expandable Sink Strainer.
Once this is done, it’s finally time to dig into those tasty homegrown harvests and enjoy your hard work!