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Simple Gardening Starts

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  • Sheryl Simons
    The Simple Life By Sheryl Simons To someone who is starting out for the first time as a beginner in the garden, here are some very necessary rules to plant in
    Message 1 of 1 , Mar 31, 2009
      The Simple Life
      By Sheryl Simons


      1. The best gardener you know once looked out into a plot of ground and felt just as overwhelmed as you might just now. You will make mistakes, right up until your last day of gardening. So do they. The one thing they learned  never give up! A garden can be as simple as one tomato plant.

      2. Start Simple. Decide on one or two areas of your yard you'd like to plop in a few flowers or veggies. Truth be told, you want your yard to look like a beautiful garden  yesterday. Unless there is a gardening magic wand I don't know about, just keep it simple. Take the front door. That is where you want people to see some color. Look through some gardening books or magazines and imagine your front door looking something like that. Remember, gardening is about the fun of the process, and the learning, as much as it is the end result.

      3. Use your imagination! Don't just dig up a row along the front of the house! Gardening is a way of using your imagination. Flowers and plants of all shapes and colors scream to be planted  but none of them want to be in a row. That's why they are called beds. Let the edges curve. Let the walkways curve. Let the flowers tumble over the edges of your patio. Think wild and bright! Also go for scent. Many flowers have wonderful smells. Scrap lumber can be used for raised beds by putting good soil in.

      4. Start small! Rome wasn't built in a day, and your yard will likely take years to grow and develop. Don't dig up more than you can handle. Think about how much time you want to invest. Container gardening usually takes more time with watering, because plants can dry out faster. Hanging baskets often need to be watered twice daily. Will you be able to keep up with that? If you work full time, or have small children, don't bite off more than your hoe can chew!

      So this week, just get some ideas and make some decisions. Do you want veggies, or flowers, or a little of both? Just look for ideas for your yard and next week we will explore more gardening ideas.

      Great Idea from Sue:
      Used carpet makes great weed guards and is also good for paths in the garden or putting under rocks. Carpeting can be found hanging out on curbs waiting for the trash (so it's free) you're keeping it out of landfills by reusing it (so it's "green"). Carpet is fibrous so water can get through but weeds have a hard time coming up through it.

      This really works great in the vegetable and flower garden! We got some carpet from friends who were moving into a new (to them) home and were taking out the old carpet Start looking for some now. You might have a friend or neighbor who is getting new carpet, or ask at a carpet store for remnants.

      * * *
      Inexpensive Body Cream

      1 jar petroleum jelly (8 0z)
      2 bottles baby lotion (15 oz)
      2 jars Vitamin E cream
      several drops of your favorite oil or cologne

      Wisk all ingredients together in a large bowl. Soak various jars in water to remove labels and store cream in jars, or even plastic containers. Any pretty container with a top will do  even baby food jars, etc. You will have plenty for gifts. This cream smells wonderful from the baby lotion. Experiment using other fragrant lotions, as well. For dry cracked feet, rub on feet and sleep with socks on, for a wonderful deep softening treatment.
      * * *
      Automatic Sock Sorter!

      Save the rings from milk jugs. Keep socks together in the wash by pushing a pair through the ring before washing!

      * * *

      You cannot truly listen to anyone and do anything else at the same time. ~~ M. Scott Peck
      When you talk, you repeat what you already know; when you listen, you often learn something.~~Jared Sparks
      Keeping it Simple,
      Sheryl Email: thesimple_life@...