Five S's for a Successful Garden |
Starting a Garden |
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Soil. Fertility, aeration, and drainage are all important factors in choosing or making the perfect soil. There needs to be the right mix of ingredients for plants to grow.
Site. Location in important. Take into consideration ease of access, amount of sun, water source and the kind of garden you would like to have. For limited outdoor availability, consider an indoor or window garden. Sun. Check the amount of shade and sun on your proposed site, and remember that it will change as the seasons change. Keep in mind that different plants need different amounts of sun. Size. If it's your first time, start small — a 10' by 10' garden (100 sq. ft.) is a manageable size. Get creative and consider using fences, trellises, containers, and hanging baskets to save space and get more production from your garden. Selection. Choosing the right plants for your needs is important. Grow crops you like to eat! Plant a variety of vegetables, flowers, and herbs. Select plants that match your experience level and hardiness zone. Also think about possible needs in the community. from the National Gardening Association |
Learning the basics of gardening by reviewing common mistakes with Tom Bartels at Growfoodwell.com
Impact
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Useful Links
"All gardens have problems. One year it may be insects and disease and the next year it may be a drought. Gardening does require work, but by learning a few basic skills and techniques, you can make your vegetable gardening experience a pleasant one." extension.illinois.edu
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"We have come up with an interactive version of the infographic that lets you choose your climate, what you want to plant and where you want to plant it. You can then create a personalised version of the cheat sheet to use at home!" anglianhome.co.uk
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Learn everything you need to know about school gardens through the Collective School Garden Network through the Western Growers Foundation. Their goal is to "plant and sustain a fruit and vegetable garden in every willing Arizona and California school." http://www.csgn.org
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"To provide accurate and timely information, provide educational opportunities and conduct research projects addressing the needs of Ohio's agronomic crop industry."
http://agcrops.osu.edu/ |
Words to Know |
Key Concepts |
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Climate
Hardiness Zone Pollination Soil Solar Exposure |
A region with particular prevailing weather conditions.
A geographically-defined zone in which a specific category of plant life is capable of growing, as defined by temperature hardiness, or ability to withstand the minimum temperatures of the zone. In flowering plants, pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther (male part) to the stigma (female part). Pollination is necessary for the flower to form seed and often, fruit. A layer of fine material on the crust of the earth composed of tiny pieces of minerals, living and non-living organisms, water and air. The amount of sun plants receive during the day. Download the full keyword list here. |
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Children's Literature