What is your gardening space like? If you are starting from bare soil,a patch of lawn or a slope,there are quite a few things that must be considered. The plot needs to be evaluated for sun,wind exposure,moisture,drainage,soil pH and elemental content and pests.
Gardens need a sunny spot. The angle of the sun in the summer months will be different than it is in the fall. Monitor for a few weeks to determine where the sun hits your property. Most gardens prefer morning sun – it is less intense,which basically means watering needs are decreased.
Once the space is properly assessed,it is time to determine what type of garden best suits your situation. If it is determined that your soil is not suitable,you still have options. On a small scale,container gardening can be rewarding. A cherry tomato,for example,well-watered,can do well in a large pot on a patio or in the yard.
Recycling old tires and turning them into a garden container base is a great way to help the environment and create a useful container garden at the same time. It has been proven that sun-loving vegetables grow well in tires.
Box gardens or raised beds are also recommended,if your soil is poor and in some instances,no soil only concrete. This option will require an initial investment for the soil to fill them and construction materials. Box gardens provide better drainage,warmer soil temperatures in the spring,earlier crops and reduced weeding. Avoid selecting pressure-treated lumber for construction of the wood framed boxes because there is some evidence that the toxic chemicals leak into the soil. The box can also be framed using masonry blocks.
In the Virgin Islands,there are two types of traditional gardens,flat and terraced. Once the designated site is flat,it must be cleared and leveled. However,if your property contains a very steep slope,it is recommended that you use terracing. On steep slopes,terracing can make planting a garden possible. Terraces reduce erosion by shortening the long slope into a series of shorter,more level steps. This allows heavy rains to soak into the soil rather than run off and cause erosion.
Gardening takes time and Commitment
Most gardens,even sizable ones,can be maintained with thirty minutes of work per day. Remove weeds while they are small,water wisely and be timely about harvesting. But if you let the garden tasks slip for a week or two,you may face a daunting task of huge weeds,spoiled crops or everything dead from lack of water. Gardening requires a time commitment if you want to reap the benefits. We will do our best to provide you with the advice that you need in order to be successful.
