People who are new to gardening tend to overlook the importance of time and seasonal transitions. Failure to notice these will result in despair and frustration. Knowing the best time of the year to plant crops and plants is essential to a garden’s success. Without this knowledge, you won’t go far, even if you have all the tools and equipment.

The Farmer’s Almanac

There is more to planting than meets the eye. Farmers use a special calendar-method system for planting called the Farmer’s Almanac. This mystical calendar was unearthed from an old Mayan village. The almanac is based on the moon’s phase and position, which is consistent across all time zones. Using this “guide”, farmers determine the best time to plant.

Finding the Farmer’s Almanac is relatively easy. You also don’t need to be a farmer to obtain this. A quick internet search will give you different sources to download. Mobile applications based on the method were already developed – and most of them are impressively accurate. Continue reading →

Few things in life compare to the simple pleasure of biting into a freshly picked tomato while it is still warm from the summer sun. When you grow your own vegetable garden, you can experience this little piece of heaven all season long.

However, growing an abundant supply of fresh vegetables year after year takes some practice. For most people, becoming a consistently successful vegetable gardener comes after years of hands-on experience. However, you can lessen your own learning curve by adopting some tried-and-true vegetable gardening tips from the pros.

Here are three vegetable gardening tips you need to know:

1 – Amend Your Soil

Few gardeners are blessed with an abundant supply of beautiful, rich topsoil. Depending on where you live, you may find yourself struggling with heavy clay, rocky, sandy or other less-than-ideal soil conditions. Continue reading →