Gardening Education

In-ground Gardening

A typical in-ground garden starts by removing the existing vegetation where the garden will be created. This can be done organically through mechanical implements such as tillage or heavy mulching. It can also be done conventionally via the use of herbicides. After the vegetation is removed, the soil must be amended to make it suitable for plant growth. To reduce soil compaction and allow for plant root growth, the soil must be tilled to a depth of approximately eight to ten inches. Alternatively, top soil can be placed on top of the ground to the same depth. In areas where the soil is poor, this is usually the best alternative.

Planting may either be done directly into the soil, or the soil can be shaped to create better conditions for plant growth. In areas where the soil is prone to flooding, creating raised mounds for planting will prevent plants from becoming over-watered during the wet season.

The soil must then be amended through the application and incorporation of compost at a depth of one to two inches helps to prevent the soil from becoming compact. A starter must then be applied to the whole field to promote initial plant growth. This is then followed by additional fertilizer once the plant is close to maturity.

Raised Bed Gardening

A raised bed garden is a set of raised wooden boxes that are filled with a mixture of potting soil and compost. The raised beds are rectangular or square-shaped structures that elevate the planting area above the ground level. They are typically constructed using wood, concrete blocks, or recycled materials.

Building raised beds can be more expensive than traditional in-ground gardens, especially if using materials like treated lumber or stone. Some plants, especially those with deep root systems, may face limitations in raised beds with shallow soil depth. This can restrict the selection of certain vegetables or plants and may contribute to reduced yields. Raised beds tend to dry out more quickly than in-ground gardens, especially during hot and dry periods.

Birdhouses

Birdhouses provide habitat for native birds to live in close proximity to the garden space. They reduce the number of insects, provide opportunities to learn about birds, and improve the look of the garden.

Mason Bee Houses

Mason bees are stingless bees that are beneficial pollinators. Their houses are constructed from blocks of wood with small holes drilled into the side. Although they do not make honey, they are much better at pollinating flowers than honeybees.

Greenhouses

Greenhouses provide temperature controlled spaces for seedlings to germinate, young plants to grow to maturity, and a place for tender perennials to survive the winter. Greenhouses may be constructed in many different ways, however all greenhouses include a frame which is covered in a transparent material such as plastic or glass which allows light to pass through, ventilation, and a heating element. The floor of a greenhouse is generally paved with cement or gravel.

Cold Frames

Cold frames are similar to greenhouses but they do not have a heating element. They are used to extend the growing season of annual plants before they can be planted outside. In some cases, the ground is unpaved and plants which require high heat and humidity for growth such as tomatoes and peppers are planted inside the cold frame.

Compost Bins

Compost is a mixture of brown woody material (sources of carbon) and green organic material (sources of nitrogen) which is broken down via microorganisms, bacteria and insects. Compost is used to improve the fertility and texture of the soil. Compost must be monitored for temperature and moisture throughout the process to ensure that the organic material breaks down into a safe and usable product.

Compost must be aerated occasionally by turning the pile to speed up decomposition. Small scale compost in suburban and urban settings must be enclosed to prevent access by scavenging animals. Compost bins typically include multiple sections which segregate new compost from finished compost. This allows for the finished compost to be applied to the garden while the unfinished compost continues to decompose.

Seed Libraries

Seed libraries are communal seed trading spaces which are similar to little free libraries that can be found around the greater Seattle area. Seed libraries allow better access to seeds for beginning gardeners. Seed libraries may contain repackaged seed from commercial growers which was purchased in bulk, or seeds saved from a previous harvest. Seed libraries allow gardeners to try new varieties without the expense of purchasing many different seed varieties.

No-till Gardening

No-till is a gardening method that involves growing plants while minimally disturbing the soil through a reduction of traditional tilling or digging practices. In a no-till garden, the soil is left mostly undisturbed. In a conventional garden, sod (aka well-established grass) is killed by plowing the ground. This breaks up the soil structure and temporarily loosens the soil which makes planting easier. Over time, repeatedly plowing a field leads to increased soil compaction, reduced biologic activity in the soil, reduced organic matter, and fewer nutrients.

No-till kills sod and makes the ground suitable for planting using methods other than tillage. Once the ground is cleared of vegetation, seeds can be sown into the ground either through no-till planters which use heavy disks to cut open furrows in the ground and place seed or transplants, or with a walk behind rototiller which only disturbs the first few inches of dirt to make it suitable for planting.

Vermiculture Habitat

Vermiculture habitat, also called worm buckets are three tiered buckets that breed worms and produce compost. Worms reduce soil compaction in gardens and speed up breakdown of organic matter. They also produce worm castings and worm tea which are beneficial organic nutrients for gardens.