KITCHEN CALENDAR- GARDEN

PLAN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN!
I am looking forward to planning my vegetable garden. My garden space is pretty small so I try to squeeze in as much as possible. I'm still learning and have made a few mistakes such as planting a smaller plant next to tomatoes which grew so large that it blocked out the sun for those plants. Oh well- live and learn!!

HEIGHT AND SPACE- WHICH PLANTS GROW TALL AND WHICH STAY SMALL CAN DETERMINE PART OF THE DESIGN FOR A GARDEN. HOW MUCH SPACE EACH PLANT WILL NEED SHOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED.

COMPANION GARDENING- WHICH PLANTS GROW WELL TOGETHER AND ALSO PROTECT EACH OTHER FROM INSECTS. FRENCH MARIGOLDS WILL HELP PROTECT A VEGETABLE GARDEN, ALSO PEAS AND CARROTS MIXED WITH CHIVES CAN ENHANCE EACH OTHERS GROWTH. SPINACH PLANTED NEAR STRAWBERRIES GROW WELL AS THEY BOTH NEED A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF WATER.

TIMING- WHEN THE PLANTS WILL BE HARVESTED CAN ALSO DETERMINE THE DESIGN, AS THOSE THAT COME TO MATURITY FIRST CAN BE PLACED IN AN EASY TO ACCESS AREA.

MENU- I LOVE TO GRILL DURING THE SUMMER AND FALL, SO IT'S REALLY COOL WHEN I CAN JUST PLUCK SOMETHING FROM THE GARDEN THAT CAN GO WITH A GREAT STEAK, CHICKEN OR FISH. I KEEP IN MIND WHAT MY MENUS WILL LOOK LIKE DURING THESE SEASONS AND TRY TO PLAN MY GARDEN ACCORDINGLY.

MONEY- JUST AS WITH ANYTHING ELSE, THE FINANCIAL PART IS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION. WHAT IS ON MY GARDEN WISH LIST AND WHAT MAY ACTUALLY HELP OUT MY POCKET BOOK MAY BE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS!

****Check out the "Google for Gardeners" feature located on the sidebar for any gardening questions!