| Imagine finding a way to save money, get some | | | | 2) Prepare: Head out into the yard and see what |
| fresh air and eat healthier- all at the same time. | | | | areas receive the most amount of sun during the |
| The easy way to slash your grocery bill this | | | | day- Vegetable gardens need full sun! Now |
| summer is to grow a kitchen garden. A simple | | | | you’ll need to decide how much space you |
| garden, that’s easy to tend to and maintain | | | | want to devote to your new garden. If you want |
| will supply you with an abundance of healthy | | | | to keep it simple, something as small as a 4 x 4 |
| vegetables and herbs all summer. Even a small | | | | foot space would be enough. You could even get |
| investment of $50 in some basic supplies and | | | | started with pots on a deck- the point it to just |
| seeds can result over $1200 in produce! | | | | get growing! Next you need to dig up the soil and |
| That’s a huge return- plus you know it will all | | | | remove any sod (grass) from the area. Digging |
| taste better than anything that’s been | | | | down about 6 inches to loosen up the dirt will |
| shipped to your local grocery store. | | | | suffice. Remove any roots, rocks and debris you |
| There are three basic steps to get started. Plan, | | | | unearth. To make sure you new plants are happy, |
| Prepare and Plant, it’s that simple. | | | | you should amend the soil with some peat moss |
| 1) Planning: It can be overwhelming to stand in | | | | and compost. Compost is available for purchase, |
| front of a display of seeds and try to decide | | | | but starting your own compost pile is easy! |
| what to grab. First start with what you enjoy | | | | 3) Plant: You know what you want to grow and |
| eating. There’s no sense in growing peppers if | | | | you’ve got your seeds started, or purchased |
| you won’t be enjoying them on your salad. | | | | seedlings at your local greenhouse. Following |
| You are in charge here and there is no obligation | | | | directions for each to ensure proper spacing. |
| to grow certain things just because you think you | | | | Some plants will need some vertical support if |
| should, or your neighbor is growing it. Sit down | | | | they’re vining plants (i.e. green beans). You |
| and really be honest about what you eat and | | | | can string up trellis netting, or build a simple |
| enjoy. Start simple, maybe just go with two | | | | three-leg pyramid out of long branches. And keep |
| types of tomatoes, snap peas and green beans. | | | | up with the watering. Long hot stretches of dry |
| Don’t go crazy and try to start with a dozen | | | | weather will keep you plant too busy growing |
| different vegetables, you’ll just get | | | | roots to find water, instead of growing up and |
| overwhelmed and not tend to the plants, or | | | | producing! Put out some clean buckets and start |
| throw away excess. | | | | catching free rainwater. |