START GARDENING NOW! Repurpose your old "STUFF!"

You can use various items you have laying around your house to create raised garden beds. For instance, metal buckets, wooden boxes, bricks, or even siding from an old barn can be repurposed for building garden beds. Also, consider using fence pickets, sides of a barn, or any upcycled items that you can transform into plant beds.

Kim found growing in the ground difficult because the wood chips she used absorbed too much nitrogen and she was not patient enough with the process, leading to poor soil conditions. Her only success was with growing potatoes. She prefers gardening with traditional wooden box raised beds because it’s easier on her back and requires less work.

The pH level of the soil is crucial for growing healthy vegetables. Soil that is too acidic or too alkaline can hinder the growth of plants. It's essential to ensure that the soil has the right pH level and is nutrient-rich, which can involve adding topsoil or amendments like cow manure.

Kim suggests planting crops that you and your family enjoy eating. Emphasize growing more of the vegetables you often eat, and avoid planting items that you do not consume regularly. This ensures you get the most out of your garden without wasting time and resources on produce that won’t be used.

Vertical structures like cow panels, stick arches, or trellises allow you to grow more produce in the same amount of ground space. This can be especially valuable for vining crops like squash, peas, and cucumbers, which can climb up these structures, making for easier harvesting and a more efficient use of space.

You can create shade for certain plants by using structures like trellises, arches, or even pallets to cast shadows, allowing you to plant shade-tolerant crops like lettuce beneath taller or sun-loving plants. This can enable you to grow cool-weather crops even during hotter months.