Vegetable Gardening: Part 2

You're back? Have you found the perfect spot for your garden and gotten sufficiently inspired over the past week? If not, check out Part 1 of my Gardening Series.

Now we need to determine the size of our garden. I wanted to make this project pretty straight-forward so I let the size of my wood determine the size of my garden:




I purchased 8 foot and 10 foot lengths of pressure treated lumber from Lowe's:



This determined that I would build an 8x10 foot garden.

Now, we need to begin to clear the grass. Measure the size of the garden and mark it with stakes or even spray paint.

We need to remove the sod. I wanted to use a chemical-free method since I would be growing food in this space and many friends and family members described the newspaper method. Simply spread several thick layers of newspaper over the desired area, holding them in place with rocks or boards, and keep them soaked. Soon the grass will die in that spot.

I'm pretty impatient. I think we all know by now I need immediate gratification when I begin a project. I layered the newspaper and kept a sprinkler on them several times the first day to really saturate the ground and hold the moisture in.



Then with brute force only a deranged-woman-in-need-of-an-instant-garden can muster...I yanked the sod out with my bare pretty pink gardening gloved hands. I used shovels and trowels and various other tools of torture to lift the edge of the sod and tore away chunks of it after a day of soaking. Waiting a week or so is much easier, but you have the week to decide.

Your mission this week is to clear the sod / kill the grass from spot where you intend to build your garden.



Meet me back here next week and will construct the box to surround your garden!

Come on back tomorrow to link up your own tutorial for Tutorial Tuesday...
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Vegetable Gardening - Part 1

The kids are back in school and you have a bit of time on your hands each day. The weather is still beautiful - much more comfortable than working outside in the heat of the summer - and you need a project. Let's work on our garden so we are all set for next spring!

We moved into our home 6 years ago. I have a huge backyard and I've always wanted a garden. I dipped my toe into the gardening world when we first moved and we dug a small garden...we called it "The Grave" since it was about 2x6 feet and looked like a freshly dug grave! It was small, but big enough for us to plant rows of peas in the early spring and a couple tomato plants later in the season:



I knew about 3 years into our gardening adventure that I wanted more space and launched into all sorts of plans each spring only to realize that if I began then, I would miss the planting season! So, I tucked my plans away, vowing to get a jump on things earlier next year.

Fast forward 3 more years and I've decided that fall is the way to go when you are planning a spring garden. For the next few weeks, we will pace ourselves and get this garden ready for the next planting season.

Let's begin...

Creating A Vegetable Garden: Part I

First, we must choose the proper spot for our garden. We must consider three things.

Convenience: Let's choose a spot that is close enough to catch your eye (so you remember to water and weed) and close enough to reach with the hose.

Sunlight: Find a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight a day.

Drainage: Locate a spot with well-drained soil, not a swampy or super dry spot.

Next, get inspired! BHG.com has a whole section of Vegetable Garden Plans you can browse or you can sit out on your patio leafing through gardening magazines (this is best done while sipping lemonade). I found my inspiration at A Soft Place to Land. Kimba's inspiration garden from This Old House magazine quickly became my own inspiration garden!



Take a little time this week to get inspired and choose a spot for your garden, we will meet back here next Monday to begin construction.

Don't forget to come back tomorrow to link up your own tutorials! If anyone would like to offer a prize for one lucky winner Contact Me.
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