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Gardening runs in my family, I think. From the time our ancestors set up the first homestead in what was then western Virginia, large gardens have been planted, and enough produce was secured to last through the winter...and usually beyond. Some of the success had to do with technique, but I think a lot of it came because we have something more than a green thumb...maybe a green arm? My husband winces when I buy plants now. There are reasons for it, I'll admit. I bought a tree labeled naval orange only to discover (the hard way) that it was lemon tree. I didn't mind, especially as the fruit was the size of a grapefruit and sweet enough to use without sugar in lemonade (well, for me). I bought a dwarf avocado tree, too. It is now taller than my two story house. Either it was mislabeled, or... Some of the things I learned about (most of them I have never done) were...interesting. I can see how they worked, but I'd rather just file them under oddities and go to the nursery for pre-sterilized fertilizer. Others I have used to my advantage in my own gardens. Here are a few. Companion Planting: Planting garlic, onions or other members of that family around your garden can help ward off some insects. The Cherokee tradition of planting beans with corn adds nutrients to the soil along with providing a convenient place for the vines to climb. There are a lot of companion plants, so if you have a specific problem, try looking it up to pick the best plant for your situation. Making Dirt: The soil in WV is mostly red clay, which can suffocate the roots of delicate seedlings. Mixing peat moss and steer manure into it in equal parts makes an ideal soil for the seedlings and other plants that need a bit more growing room. I do this here, though it's more because the soil is poor from the walnut trees that used to grow in the area. Manure Tea: If you want to thoroughly gross someone out, describe this process. My great aunt Ellen swore by it. She would put sterilized manure in a barrel and fill it with water. When she wanted to hand water her plants, she dipped into this barrel and use it on them. She had a prosperous garden, but that isn't enough to convince me to replicate the process. Greenhouses: Grandma owned and operated a greenhouse for many years, which is where we always got our plant starts. I have a greenhouse window, which can do the same thing...in the Spring. It's far to hot in the summer, it fries the plants. If you have the opportunity, it is worth the investment, both for your garden and for later salability. Sterilizing Fertilizer: Thankfully, we can go to the nursery and buy this without the following procedure. Gather up the fertilizer you wish to use. Place combustible substances (straw, kindling,
small chunks of wood) around it and light it up. The fire kills bacteria, but the smell is very difficult to stand. Trimming: Some plants do better with a bit of trimming. Grapes and tomatoes are two of them. What you want to do is have the plant focus on the fruit rather than on the leaves. In the case of my grapes, trimming also prevents them from taking over the neighborhood. Right now they're due as they are in the backyards of two neighbors who may not appreciate their presence. Gardening is fun, good exercise and can help provide you with healthy, fresh foods. Even if you only have a small yard, you can probably manage a few plants. With these tips, you may find yourself with more than a green thumb...
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