Gardening Made Simple No Matter Where You Live

carrot tops growing in water
seeds being planted in pots

Click on the Seed Starting Guide to Enlarge or Print out and Save!

Know When to Start 

  • Decide what you want to grow: vegetables, flowers, or herbs. Choose seeds suited for your region's climate and season.
  • Sketch a layout for your garden, considering space, sunlight, and soil type.
  • Check the seed packet for planting instructions, including spacing, depth, and germination time.

Starting Seeds Indoors (Optional)

  • Use seed trays or pots with seed-starting mix (light, well-draining soil).
  • Plant seeds at the recommended depth and cover lightly.
  • Water gently to keep the soil moist, but not soggy, and place the trays in a warm, well-lit area
  • Thin out seedlings if too many sprout in one container.

Prepping & Planting 

  • Clear weeds and debris from the planting area. Break up the soil with a hoe or tiller.
  • Test the soil to check pH and nutrient levels. Adjust with fertilizers or amendments if needed.
  • Add organic matter like compost to enrich the soil and improve drainage.
  • Wait until the soil temperature is suitable for planting (check seed packet).
  • Use a garden trowel or your finger to create shallow holes or furrows at the correct depth.
  • Place seeds in the holes, spaced according to packet guidelines, and cover with soil.
  • Gently pat the soil to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.

 

Watering:

  • Water gently after sowing to moisten the soil. Consistent moisture is key during germination.
  • Avoid overwatering—just keep the soil damp, not waterlogged.

 

Caring for Sprouts:

  • Thin plants after seedlings emerge to prevent overcrowding (choose the healthiest ones to keep).
hole in ground and a plant being planted

Maintenance & Harvesting

Supporting Growth:

  • Once plants are established, fertilize as needed to boost growth.
  • Stake tall plants or use cages for support if necessary.
  • Mulch around the plants to conserve moisture and reduce weeds

 

Harvesting:

  • Follow harvest guidelines based on the type of plant. Harvest vegetables and herbs when they’re at peak flavor and ripeness
  • Deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms and maintain a tidy garden

 

Gardening takes patience, but the effort pays off when you enjoy the fruits (or blooms) of your labor.

mother and child picking peppers off a plant

Patio Gardening

patio plants for gardening

Patio gardening is a wonderful way to grow vegetables in small spaces, making it perfect for urban living or for anyone without a backyard. Here's a detailed guide to help you get started:

 

Plan Your Patio Garden:

  • Assess Your Space: Measure your patio and evaluate how much sunlight it receives. Most vegetables require at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
  • Choose Containers: Opt. for pots, tubs, grow bags, or even repurposed items like old buckets. Ensure the containers have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.

 

Select Vegetables: Ideal choices for patio gardens include:

  • Leafy Greens (lettuce, spinach, kale).
  • Herbs (basil, thyme, cilantro).
  • Root Vegetables (carrots, radishes, beets).
  • Small Fruiting Vegetables (cherry tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers)
  • Beans or peas (compact bush varieties).

 

Prepare Your Containers:

Container Size: Match the size of the container to the plant type. For example:

  • Deep-rooted plants like carrots need deeper containers (12–18 inches deep).
  • Lettuce or herbs can thrive in shallower containers (6–8 inches deep).
  • Drainage: Place a layer of gravel or small stones at the bottom before adding soil to improve drainage.
  • Soil Mixture: Use high-quality potting soil mixed with compost or organic matter for proper nutrient content.

 

Plant Your Vegetables:

  • Start with Seeds or Transplants: If you're new to gardening, transplants (small plants) might be easier than starting from seeds.
  • Spacing: Follow seed packet or plant tag instructions to ensure proper spacing, especially in small containers.
  • Companion Planting: Plant complementary vegetables together to save space and improve growth. For instance, carrots pair well with tomatoes.

 

Watering and Fertilizing:

  • Water Regularly: Vegetables in containers dry out faster than in-ground plants. Water deeply but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
  • Fertilizer: Use a liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks,or add slow-release fertilizer to the soil. Organic options like fish emulsion or compost tea are great for edible plants.

 

Manage Light and Temperature:

  • If your patio has limited sunlight, consider using grow lights for additional support.
  • Protect plants from extreme weather:
  • Use shade cloth during scorching summers.
  • Move pots indoors or wrap containers in burlap during cold snaps.

 

Maintenance Tips:

  • Pruning: Remove yellowing leaves or dead stems to keep plants healthy.
  • Pest Control: Check leaves regularly for pests like aphids or caterpillars. Use natural remedies such as neem oil or hand-picking pests.
  • Support Structures: For climbing vegetables like beans or cucumbers, add trellises or stakes.

 

Harvesting:

  • Harvest vegetables as soon as they’re ripe to encourage further growth. Pick leafy greens and herbs frequently to prevent bolting (flowering)

 

Decorative Touches:

  • Mix flowers with vegetables for a vibrant look and to attract pollinators
  • Use colorful containers or organize pots creatively for aesthetic appeal.

Patio gardening allows you to create a mini vegetable oasis while making the most of your space! It’s environmentally friendly, rewarding, and delicious when you get to eat your fresh homegrown produce.  Preserve your produce or use it fresh in meals and extend your grocery budget all while teaching life skills to children.

Hydroponic Gardening 

Hydroponic gardening is a fascinating and efficient way to grow plants without soil, relying instead on a nutrient-rich water solution to deliver essential minerals directly to the roots. It's an excellent method for those with limited space or who want more control over the growing environment. 


Getting Started with Hydroponic Gardening

 

Choose a System Type:

  • Wick System: The simplest system that uses wicks to draw nutrients to plants.
  • Deep Water Culture (DWC): Plants are suspended with roots submerged in nutrient-rich water.
  • Nutrient Film Technique (NFT): A thin film of water flows over the plant roots.
  • Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain): Periodically floods the plant roots with a nutrient solution before draining.
  • Aeroponics: Roots are suspended in air and misted with nutrients.
  • Drip System: Nutrient solution is dripped onto the base of each plant.

 

Pick Your Plants:

  1. Start with plants that thrive in hydroponic systems like lettuce, spinach, kale, herbs (basil, mint, cilantro), and strawberries. For beginners, leafy greens are a great choice as they're forgiving and quick to grow.

 

Get the Right Equipment:

  1. Grow Tray: To hold the plants
  2. Reservoir: To store the nutrient solution.
  3. Submersible Pump: To circulate water (depending on your system).
  4. Air Pump and Stone: For aeration (especially in DWC systems).
  5. Grow Medium: Options include Rockwool, clay pellets, perlite, or coco coir
  6. Nutrient Solution: A mix of essential minerals tailored for plant growth.
  7. pH Meter and Adjusters: To maintain optimal water pH (between 5.5 and 6.5).
  8. Lighting: LED grow lights are energy-efficient and provide the necessary spectrum for photosynthesis.

 

Set Up the System:

  1. Assemble your chosen system.
  2. Position the grow lights to mimic sunlight.
  3. Add your grow medium to the plant containers or net pots.
  4. Mix the nutrient solution and fill the reservoir

 

vegetables growing in water instead of the ground

Maintaining Your Hydroponic Garden

 

Monitor pH and Nutrients:

  1. Check pH levels regularly to keep them in the ideal range (5.5–6.5).
  2. Replenish or replace the nutrient solution every 1–2 weeks

 

Maintain Water Levels and Quality:

  1. Ensure the reservoir water level is sufficient to keep plant roots hydrated
  2. Keep the water temperature between 65–75°F (18–24°C) to avoid root rot or algae growth.

 

Provide Proper Lighting:

  1. Most plants need 12–16 hours of light daily. Ensure your grow lights are positioned correctly to prevent overheating the plants.

 

Check for Pests and Diseases:

  1. Even without soil, pests like aphids or fungal diseases can occur. Inspect plants regularly and act quickly if you notice any problems.

 

Prune and Harvest:

  1. Trim dead or yellowing leaves to keep plants healthy.
  2. Harvest crops as they mature to encourage more growth.

 

Clean and Maintain the System:

  1. Regularly clean all parts of your hydroponic system to prevent buildup of algae, minerals, or harmful bacteria.

 

Advantages of Hydroponic Gardening:

  1. Faster plant growth due to direct nutrient access.
  2. Uses less water than traditional soil gardening.
  3. Can be done indoors, year-round.
  4. No need for soil, which eliminates many pests and weeds.

TIPS:

  • Start small and experiment with an easy system like Deep Water Culture or a Wick System
  • Choose resilient plants to gain confidence before tackling more challenging crops.
  • Be patient—like any gardening, hydroponics takes practice to master.

Hydroponics can be incredibly rewarding and sustainable once you get the hang of it & you can grow produce in small places!