My Garden Is In, I'm Finished Planting...Not

20 May, 2008

No you can't sit down and relax, because you are not finished planting.

Remember when growing a garden you want to keep harvesting as long as your growing season will allow. After the first planting of your garden, don't forget to come back in a week or even a few weeks (whatever your growing season will allow) and plant some more plants. Do this as many times as you can. There is no such thing as growing too much food. Staggered planting is the only way you will extend your havest time and of course have more fresh off-the-vine goodies to eat and can.

If by chance you get lucky and grow too much to eat or can yourself, you can trade food with other gardeners and I am sure the local food banks would be happy to take some of it off your hands. Unless government regulations say otherwise. Nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to their meddling in people's lives. If you are one of those over-achiever types in the garden, you might want to call first and see if they can accept it. If all else fails, just ask around if anyone knows of a needy family. I'm sure with the prices soaring at the grocery stores, you will not have a bit of trouble finding plenty of takers. I really hate to see good food go to waste, hence these suggestions for you.

I'm getting ready to start my second round of seed sprouting and will be ready to put them in the ground in a couple of weeks, or sooner. I'm using heirloom seeds so that they can be saved for next year. You can buy heirloom seeds at many internet websites. Using heirlooms is important because they are not terminator seeds. They can be dried and saved for your next food crop. Save as many seeds as you can, they are like gold these days. Seeds are also great for bartering, especially if the economy collapses completely as many are predicting.

I can't stress to you how important it is to get back to basics and to do it right now. Teach your children how to grow their own food. Gardening is a great way to spend quality time together. It's not only good for the mind, it's good for the body and soul.

Have you ever wondered why, after spending twelve long years in public school and then maybe another four in college, you left there and no one bothered to show you how to grow a garden or do anything that might actually prepare you for the reality of life after school? We were indoctinated to the system of the New World Government, not taught self sufficiency. In my school, we were not taught how to balance a checkbook or how to pay utility bills. Talk about going out into the world unprepared and things are even worse today. Take it upon yourself to teach your children skills important for these times. Public schools are not going to do this for you.

Believe me, I do not have a green thumb and each day I go outside wondering if my plants are going to survive. With the advent of the internet and all the information on how to--do just about anything you want to learn, even you can grow a garden.

I think visiting your garden daily helps the plants grow. You can even talk to them or play some music for them. Whether or not that works, I'm not sure, but it will go a long way to having your neighbors confirm that you are certifiable. It might even make them feel better next time they call you a wild eyed conspriracy theorist.

Now, get out there and get your hands dirty. It's good for you!