GARDENING BASICS
 
Like everything else related to long-term survival after disasters, it’s best to have experience with gardening BEFORE things go wrong.
 
If you’re already a gardener you’re probably not going to read this section, I guess. But if you are, and you have advice to share, please comment at the end of this section!
 
WHAT DO YOU NEED?
Seeds

• Purchase at your local feed store, online or by catalog
• Have on hand: Non-GMO seeds stored in a vacuum-packed bag in the freezer
•  “Seed vaults” are available online containing a variety of fruit/veggie seeds

Tools

• Round-headed shovel
• Japanese gardener's knife (or “hori-hori”)
• Shears
• Hand pruner
• Transplant spade
• Gardening gloves (latex-coated cotton, heavy-duty leather)
• Leaf rake

Good location
Moist, well-drained soil
At least 6 hours of sunlight per day
Close to a water source

GETTING STARTED

Prepare your garden area

• Prepare the soil

• Till/loosen soil at least 6 inches deep – use a tiller or hand dig
• Add organic matter/compost if your soil is sandy, rocky, or contains a lot of clay

• Row cropping

• Decide how large an area you want to clear
• 10 x 10 foot garden with good soil can produce a lot of produce

• Raised beds

• Good for areas with poor drainage
• You can bring in good soil
• Easier to work (less bending over)

• Containers

• Can be used on rooftops, balconies, small yards

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​Plant your seeds & starts

• Follow directions on the seeds RE: depth, nighttime temperatures, spacing

• some can be started indoors, others should wait until all risk of frost has passed before being sown outdoors.

• Purchase plant starts

• These are more expensive, but will produce earlier than seeds sown directly

• Keep track of where you planted your seeds (keep a garden log)

 

Care for your garden

• Water regularly (usually every other day)
• You can fertilize OR you can apply organic compost once per growing season
• Weed and watch for pests
• * There are natural ways to treat for aphids, caterpillars, etc. (give examples)
• Support plants that need it (trellises for peas and beans, cages for tomatoes, stakes for sunflowers)

 
Harvest at the right time

• Too small/too green: bitter/tart/poor flavor
• Too big/too old: too much water, not enough flavor, over-ripe
• Try one before you pick them all!
• Some plants are ripe for a long time and keep producing
• * snap peas, green beans, strawberries, lettuce, kale, carrots, rhubarb
• Some plants ripen within a few weeks (cherries, plums, melons, tomatoes??)

 
Keep track of your harvest:

• How much (by weight)?
• When harvested?
• Any lessons to remember?

Please check out my blog post (Growing Food at Home - Anyone can do it!) for information about gardening in small spaces and recommended plants for areas with different amounts of sun exposure!