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 →

You wouldn’t try to carve a roast chicken with a spoon, would you?

Of course not!

This same philosophy applies to gardening, as well. Having the right equipment to do the job at hand will save you countless hours and tons of frustration in the long run. Any experienced gardener will tell you how much easier it is to grow your own fruits and vegetables if you have the right tools and accessories in your arsenal.

The gardening tools and accessories you need will depend on the type and scale of gardening you plan to do. If you have a large garden with lots of ground-level beds, you will need an assortment of shovels for digging, edging and moving piles of material. You’ll also need a good hoe to keep weeds at bay and maybe a pick ax to break up tough soil. A durable wheelbarrow to haul mulch and other materials in and around your garden area is also important. Over time, this limited collection of tools and accessories will undoubtedly grow to suit your individual gardening style. Continue reading →