a few more tips

People always ask me, well, some people ask me, and really only a few, but what the heck, it sounds better is i say "people always ask me..." doesn't it?

They say to me, "I don't have a green thumb, but I want a veggie garden, what do you suggest I grow that's easy."

This is an easy one.

The easiest things to grow is tomatoes,peppers, onions, zucchini squash, beets, and rutabaga.

But be careful, living in New England, the weather is a big part of weather if our garden will succeed.

I always forgot this part when the warm weather comes. I cant wait till I get my hands in that soil with the munchkins.

As New Engenders know, the weather is fickle. It could be 90 degrees one day, then
the next day we are wearing turtle necks.

Basically, if you get frost, it could wipe out your whole garden. So Plant by the date the last frost is expected instead of when the warm weather comes. Trust me on this one, as I have learned this lesson first hand.

The other thing that is a sure sign if your garden isn't going to work, is, uh, how can I say this without insulting people...OK, kids. That's right, those little munchkins you let out to play. They cant help themselves to play in the dirt or even pick those green tomatoes for you because for some reason they are under the assumption you forgot and was doing you a favor. The thought that they are suppose to be red, doesnt really cross their minds. (again, first hand experience with that one)

Plus, ever have a bouquet of yellow flowers from your munchkin and wonder where they got them from? well, if I were you, I'd check the veggie garden. Sometimes those yellow flowers are just right for picking and they look great in a vase. but the down side is you wont be getting any veggies this year.

Let's not forgot about the rabbits, deers, and all those wonderful critters that just love a good picnic now and then,a who can blame them? Though as much as you chase them away, they do have an issue with long term memory. Or, they just don't care, they love a nice picnic just like you.

One of the best ways to keep those critters out is to use a wire mesh and surround your garden. (pending on size of course) This will discourage most critters and some munchkins out of the garden. Oh, how could I forget your neighbors, who feel that your growing vegges for the whole neighborhood and feel they can just help themselves. What's odd is they think that harvesting them when the sun goes down is the best time to do that, but that's a whole other story. These mesh fences will keep the critters out and hopefully people will get the message that they are not welcome to help themselves.

What we did, because I am not a fan of a fence around my garden (but I might have to pending on the critters) is a raised bed. I used those landscaping timbers and raised them up and put top soil in it. It has kept the critters out, but not so much the munchkins.

ok, the raised bed is not so much for the critters, it was for my acking back, truth be told, its much easier to be one with the earth, when the earth is a little higher.

SO there you go folks, a few tips for you gardeners. Hope you could use it.