Mike the Gardener Enterprises, LLC

How to Make Your Own Soil Block

2013-05-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

Soil blocks are an excellent way to keep your plants from experiencing any type of shock during transplant and are recommended by many gardening experts from around the globe.

You could go out and buy a soil block maker for $20 to $50, or, with some basic skills and household items, you could put together one for under $5.

Here are the Step by Step instructions

Build Your Own "Peek-A-Bucket" Gardening Planter

2013-05-13T21:00:00.000-07:00

I came across this project while perusing some Facebook pages, and had to take a closer look. After reading the step by step instructions I just had to share with our gardening community.

I had to share because I think it is a very creative idea and twist to container gardening, and I know many of you out there love to grow a lot things in containers (me included).

Here are the Step by Step instructions

Make a Seed Starting Tray from Cardboard and Coffee Filters

2013-05-10T21:00:00.000-07:00

I am always looking for new and creative ways to start seeds. And just as importantly, ways that are inexpensive as well.

Buying supplies from the store can add up over time. However, this method, is virtually free. Free because you more than likely have all the supplies needed to build it.

If you have about 20 minutes and basic (and I mean real basic) arts & crafts skills, then you have just about everything you need to create this seed starting tray.

Here are the Step by Step instructions

4 Reasons Why You Need to Start your Garden from Seed

2013-05-09T21:00:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't get excited when the seed catalogs start arriving in the mail or when you browse the web looking at the many different things you can grow from seed? I know I do. So you can imagine how anxious I get as a seed retailer, with thousands of vegetable seeds staring at me, when vegetable gardening season is so close at hand.

Like you, I am ready to get my tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and basil all going, even if the weather tells me otherwise, and in 2013, the weather has been saying all kinds of crazy things. One day it's 80 degrees, the next 50. Those types of temperature swings make it tough to pinpoint when you can move your young seedlings outdoors. I will save that for a future article.

Today, I wanted to concentrate of why you need to start your vegetable, fruits and herbs from seed. Specifically, let's talk about four benefits.

Control
I won't say that I am a control freak, but when it comes to my garden, I sort of am. When planting from seeds, you are in complete control from beginning to end of that plant and your garden. You know where your seeds come from, what is in your soil to make your vegetable seeds grow and so on.

Cost
Buying seeds is much cheaper than buying the equivalent number in plants. So, for example, in a typical tomato seed packet, you will receive a couple hundred seeds. If you were to buy that number of plants, one, you probably would not have enough room for all of them, and two, that cost would be astronomical.

Time
When stored properly, your vegetable seeds can last you for many years. Proper storage simply means a cool, dry location. I have onion seeds that are 9 years old and I am still getting those onion seeds to germinate. This means you won't have to plant all of your seeds from your packet. You can plant the seeds that you need and save the rest of your seeds for subsequent years.

Space Saver
I like to start a bunch of seeds of the same variety in a single planting pot, then thin the seeds out as the seeds germinate and get bigger. This comes in handy when indoor space is limited, such as is the case for what I have available on my window sill. I can have 7 different varieties going at once on one window sill, and when the time comes, I will thin the seedlings out.

I am sure if I were to post the question on our Facebook page, "What are your benefits for starting your veggies, fruits and herbs from seed?", I would get hundreds of different reasons. These are 4 that I believe are good reasons to start your garden from seeds.

Make a Countertop Greenhouse for $20

2013-05-08T21:00:00.000-07:00

If you have always wanted to get a jump on your vegetable gardening season, but lacked the space (or funds) for a greenhouse, then here is a solution that is sure to solve both of those problems.

This is a counter top greenhouse that you can build with some simple tools, basic woodworking skills and for less than $20. Heck, you may be able to find these supplies for free if you look hard enough.

Here are the Step by Step instructions

Can Your Own Rhubarb and Strawberry Preserve

2013-05-06T21:00:00.000-07:00

Holy Rhubarb Batman! I found this awesome Rhubarb and Strawberry preserve canning recipe on the blog Pink Cookies with Sprinkles and had to share it.

If you have basic canning skills and the desire to turn those home grown strawberries and your Rhubarb into something awesome, then you need to give this recipe a try.

There is also a bonus recipe here for Rhubarb Strawberry Crisp.

Here are the Step by Step instructions

Grow Your Own Mosquito Repellent

2013-05-04T21:00:00.000-07:00

Mosquitoes can be a pain in the "you know what". You certainly can put on some repellent such as Off! or burn a citronella candle. Both will work.

However, wouldn't you like some natural insect repellent for your entire yard? Well look no further.

The five plants shown in the picture each give off their own unique scent which can throw off the sensory perception of mosquitoes ... i.e. they can't find you.

Sure this isn't 100% fail proof, but it will help, and you will also get a really nice looking landscape in the process.

Make Your Own Cherry Salsa with this Canning Recipe

2013-05-02T21:00:00.000-07:00

Do you have a cherry tree or access to the boat loads of cherries that a cherry tree will produce?

If so, then here is a great canning recipe for you.

All you need are some basic supplies, ingredients (many of which you can grow yourself), and some basic canning skills. Put these altogether and you will be all set to make your very own cherry salsa.

Here are the Step by Step instructions

Dehydrate Your Food Using the Sun

2013-04-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

Dehydrating food is a great way to preserve many fruits and veggies from your harvest for a very long time. It is also a great way to taste some things that you have been eating your whole life, a bit differently.

Here is a great solar dehydrating project from the blog The Sifford Journal that outlines how you can utilize the sun by building your very own dehydrator with some simple materials found at any home center.

Here are the Step by Step instructions

Here are the printable plans

How to Water Your Tomatoes at the Roots

2013-04-26T21:00:00.000-07:00

We have been posting a number of features on tomatoes lately. And why not! Tomatoes are the king of the garden. More people grow tomatoes in home vegetable gardens then any other fruit or vegetable.

Check out this tutorial of getting more water to your tomato roots for better growth that we found on "A Sonoma Garden".

This is as about as simple as it is going to get when it comes to watering the roots of your tomatoes. With some simple supplies and a few minutes of your time, you can create this set up in no time.

Here are the Step by Step instructions

Grow Your Best Tomatoes Yet!

2013-04-22T21:00:00.000-07:00

Tomatoes are without a doubt the king of the home vegetable garden. Tomatoes, depending on which survey you read, are about 4 to 1 favorites over the next in line, cucumbers or peppers, as to which fruits and vegetables are grown most at home.

Who can argue about this tomato fact? Tomatoes are easy to grow in almost every climate, and with over 2,000 tomato varieties to choose from, you are bound to find some tomatoes that you will enjoy eating.

Not only are tomatoes easy and great to grow at home, the health benefits of tomatoes are wonderful as well. Packed with the healthy carotenoid, Lycopene, which, in a recent study, has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke and cancer, the tomato should be a staple in your garden, if it is not already.

To grow your best tomatoes ever, let’s talk about what you will need in order to accomplish this fairly easy task.

Of course, just like with any other fruit or veggie, tomatoes need a great foundation. In this case the foundation is your soil. Be sure to work in compost, seasoned manure etc. throughout your offseason. If you are new to gardening and you are growing tomatoes for your first time, you can always pick up some great seasoned manure at your local home or garden center for about two dollars a bag.

Mix these ingredients thoroughly into the soil as they contain all of the nutrients your tomatoes will need to grow and produce wonderful tasting fruits.

Tomatoes love the sun. Choose a spot that receives a minimum of 8 hours per day, more if possible. The more sun your tomato plant receives, the better your tomato plants will produce.

Keep the soil your tomato plants are planted in moist but not saturated. Do not overwater your tomato plants. Too much water around the tomato plants’ roots may cause root rot. Be sure that the garden beds, pots or containers you use, drain properly. To increase drainage, mix in some peat or coir with your soil. Either of these products will make your soil friable, allowing excess water to drain, but keeping enough for your tomato plants’ needs. If you are growing tomatoes in containers, make sure there are enough drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.

If your growing season is short, and you are growing your tomatoes from seeds, then you will need to start indoors. Visit the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, type in your zip code and you will be able to obtain your area’s frost information. Knowing when the potential last frost date in your area occurs will go a long way as to when you can start your seeds indoors.

Tomatoes grow well spaced out in as little as twelve inches apart, however, if you have more room to spare, then by all means spread them out.

Most tomato varieties need some kind of vertical support so that they are not flopping over onto the ground which could cause other issues you’d rather not have to deal with. While there are a wide variety of methods, the two easiest ones are tomato cages and tomato stakes. Cages are available for a few bucks a piece at your local home or garden center. Tomato stakes can be anything from long pieces of wood, to fancy stakes from the store. The choice is yours. I use tomato cages. I always have. To me, they are just easier to maintain.

Your tomato is ready for harvest when it has reached its full color. Since tomato varieties come in all kinds of color from red, orange and yellow, up through, purple, black and brown, you really should know which variety that you have, so you know when to pick.

On a final note from my own experience. When growing smaller varieties such as cherry, grape and pear, one or two plants can produce enough tomatoes to feed a family of four, so plan accordingly. One year I planted six, yes that is six, grape tomato plants, and ended up with so many I literally could not keep up with picking all of them, or know enough people to give them away to, have enough canning recipes (or jars for that matter) to use all of them.

DIY A-Frame Veggie Trellis

2013-04-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a sturdy trellis that can be used for all kinds of vining fruits and veggies. One of the best parts of this DIY trellis is that, because of the hinges at the top, it is adjustable to your garden bed size.

So regardless of whether you have a 4 foot by 4 foot raised bed square foot garden, or something larger, you can easily adjust this for the size you need.

Because, it is made out of some basic supplies, you may already have some of the items needed to build this sitting in your shed, basement or garage. I know I do.

Here are the Step by Step instructions

How to Make a Removable Rabbit Proof Fencing

2013-04-12T21:00:00.000-07:00

If you live in an area like I do where the rabbits (and other pests) are a plenty, then you already know the pain of trying to keep them from eating your garden.

Normally you would put up some poultry (or other type) fencing to keep them out, attaching the fencing to posts. What happens is, over time, that fencing will break down and have to be replaced, which could be a pain.

Here is a great project where you can section off your fencing, and over time, only replace the sections that are worn down, as opposed to having to replace the whole thing, or doing any fancy fence mending.

Here are the Step by Step instructions

How to Make a Slanted Shelf for Canned Food Rotation

2013-04-09T22:00:00.000-07:00

Do you like to can the food you grow? If so, then you probably already know about your storage needs and of course rotating your food so that you are consuming the varieties that have been around the longest.

Here is a great idea from LDS Intelligent Living!. A slanted storage shelf that you can build yourself with some supplies found out any home or garden center for just a few bucks.

There is plenty of room to store all of your items and the best part, because it is slanted, as you remove jars from your shelves, the remaining items will slowly move their way down to the front. You simply add the new supplies to the back!

Here are the Step by Step instructions

How to Grow Your Garden in a Bag

2013-04-08T22:00:00.000-07:00

You have gardening in the bag! Literally, you can grow your garden in a bag. If you are short on space, time and money, then try this great idea from Mother Earth News Magazine and grow your fruits and veggies in a bag!

Here are the Step by Step instructions

Build this Easy DIY Pea Trellis

2013-04-03T22:00:00.000-07:00

I have had a few different sources tell me that when you trellis certain items, that their yields will be greater. Peas are one of those items.

If you are not sure how to build a trellis for your peas, then look no further.

Here is an easy one for you to tackle if you have a few pieces of would, a ball of string and some basic skills. An excellent trellis for the peas you are going to grow.

Click here to view the steps to build this template

How to Make a DIY Square Foot Garden Planting Template

2013-04-02T21:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a great planting template that you can make out of some wood, dowels, a few screws and about an hour of your time.

Compliments of Greg Holdsworth, this template will even space out those seeds or other items you will plant.

Click here to view the steps to build this template

How to Make an Organic Pesiticide Spray for Your Garden

2013-04-01T21:00:00.000-07:00

There are a number of safe methods you can use to keep pests and disease from destroying your home vegetable garden.

Here are 12 really good ones from Hope Gardens.

In a few minutes, with some basic low cost items, you can be on your way to having the best vegetable garden you ever thought possible.

Click here to view 12 Organic Garden Remedies

How to Build a PVC Sprinkler for your Vegetable Garden

2013-03-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

There are a variety of options when it comes to making sure your garden is properly hydrated.

Here is a cool idea from Home Spun Threads using nothing more than PVC and a little creativity to water your vegetable garden beds.

The best part of using PVC to create a sprinkler system for your vegetable garden, is that you can really customize it anyway you want.

Click here to view the plans

How to Build a Food Storage Shelf

2013-03-26T21:00:00.000-07:00

Your root crop production is through the roof this year and now you need a place to store them all.

Or you took our advice and built the Potato Tower we posted.

Whatever the reason, you need storage for those items.

Here is a great project for you to build. A food storage shelf.

A few supplies and hours later, and you will be all set.

Click here to view the plans

3 Reasons Why You Need to Add Manure to Your Garden

2013-03-20T21:00:00.000-07:00

When I say manure, I am specifically referring to animal manure. In other words, the feces of horses, cows, chickens, or rabbits. This does not include that from your dog, cat or your neighbor with bad hygiene habits.

Manure, and more specifically, composted or seasoned manure has a tremendous amount of benefits for your home vegetable garden. There are plenty of great reasons as to why you would add manure to your garden, here are 3 to get you going.

1] Nutrients, Nutrients, Nutrients – This in my opinion is tops on the list. Manure has a tremendous amount of nutrients in it. As the manure breaks down it releases those nutrients into your soil giving your vegetable plants just about everything they need to grow, thrive and produce.

2] Slow Release – The nutrients in manure are slow releasing. This means your plants will benefit over a longer period of time as those nutrients slowly work their way through the soil. This also makes manure, composted manure that is, great to be used as a top layer of mulch for your vegetable plants.

3] Reduces Soil Erosion – Recent data published shows that manure helps coat the surface of soil which reduces the impact of rain.

As a side note, if you have fresh manure, be sure to mix it in with your soil at the end of your gardening season and at least 6 months prior to the start of the next season. You have to give the manure the necessary time to season otherwise it could fry your plants.

How to Build an Easy Cold Frame

2013-03-18T03:00:00.000-07:00

A cold frame is a great way to extend your gardening season or get a jump on the season.

A cold frame will protect your young seedlings and plants from the elements.

Here is a great step by step project to build this cold frame. All you will need is some simple skills, basic material, and a few hours.

Click here for the cold frame plans

4 Things You Can Grow in Containers Right Now

2013-03-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

Home gardeners that are limited on space know all too well the importance of container gardening and making the most out of the space they do have.

Even though I would not consider my space limited, I still love growing vegetables and herbs in containers. I usually do this with certain vegetables and herbs that I do not need a lot of, or new vegetable or herb varieties that I want to try.

If you were looking for some vegetables or herbs to grow in containers, here are 5 that are perfect.

1] Basil – Ok pretty much any herb fits this bill, but basil does great for me. Growing basil and other herbs in containers is a great way to add these to your garden, without taking up space that may be needed for other fruits and veggies that the space would be better suited for.

2] Leafy Greens – Spinach, kale, lettuce and many other leafy greens are excellent choices for growing in a container. You can snip off what you need and let them continue to grow.

3] Tomatoes – Yes the king of the vegetable garden, the tomato, makes for a great addition to containers. Ever notice more and more people are using those upside down hanging tomato planters? That is because they do work, do not require a lot of room, and since many varieties of tomatoes produce in an abundance, they are great for their limited space needs. Cherry & grape tomatoes are perfect for container gardening as they are high producers and most families will only need one or two plants for their needs.

4] Zucchini – I had a neighbor who once said you can watch the zucchini grow right before your eyes. That is because, if you have ever grown zucchini, you know that one second it is about 2 to 3 inches and what seems like a few minutes later and they are about a foot. Zucchini is great for containers (larger sized) for this reason. You can set up a few containers with zucchini and still grow quite a bit.

If you have not considered adding container gardening to your repertoire, you really should. It is a great way to “test” some items out before you make them part of your raised beds or gardening plots.

How to Make a Pot Out of Newspaper

2013-03-05T21:00:00.000-08:00

How to Grow 100 Pounds of Potatoes

2013-03-01T03:00:00.000-08:00

I already have this particular project on my "to-do" gardening list for this season as I have made a commitment to grow 7 different varieties of potatoes. This vertical, "build as you go", potato tower will work great in the limited space that I have.

Take a look at the detailed instructions on how to build this potato tower and how you can grow 100 pounds of potatoes this season.

Of course results may vary, but still worth a try.

Click here for the Step by Step instructions