Check out my new garden blog and follow here at Garden and the City
Monday, June 20, 2011
Community Garden Feature: So. 7th Street
I was able to check out the community garden on So. 7th Street in Newark, NJ. This garden has been there for the past few years. It is overseen by a great friend of mine, Mrs. White. The Greater Newark Conservancy had helped develop this area as well. Within their garden they have grown kale, broccoli, lettuce, melon, strawberries, cherry peppers, mustard greens, and more. I did manage to get a few photos to share with you.
Entering the garden
Mrs. White holding up broccoli.
Kale and mustard greens
Cherry peppers
Jalapeno peppers
Cabbage
Lettuce
Melon
Strawberries
Petunias
Leaving the garden. They even planted little trees as well.
Check out my new garden blog and follow here at Garden and the City
Check out my new garden blog and follow here at Garden and the City
Friday, June 17, 2011
Garden Beauty: Decor
Whether it's windmills or pin wheels, birds or bugs there is no excuse for a plain garden. There are plenty of ways to add some personality to your garden. It also adds beauty to the simplest of spaces. Most of these items can be found in Walmart, Home Depot or your local dollar store. Which means very affordable. Here are just a few examples of lawn and garden ornaments that can make your garden look loved. My mom is definitely a fan of lawn and garden decor.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Garden Woes: Community Gardens
Even though having a community garden can have it's advantages and can bring a community together, there are some woes you may have to face. My street has a new community garden and it is quite cool to see as a new addition. It's a way to promote going green and healthy eating. During my five week journey so far, there have been numerous issues and I have weeks to go. Now there may be a possibility of more issues. But I'm sure this isn't the only garden that have these problems. Thanks for good neighbors and community workers of the Greater Newark Conservancy they don't last long here.
Pollution:I get upset seeing pollution in the streets, but when I see it over a fence in your garden it drives me up the wall. Why would anyone have the nerve to throw trash over the fence inside someone's gardening area. Then the trash not only makes it look bad but it can blow and harm your plants. I wouldn't even dare do that to someone and there is a garbage can on site.
Pest Control:I know as it gets closer to the summer more and more stray cats come out. The cats are advantage because they do kill any mice and rats they may stray out. But cats will go through your garden too. They may even start to eat plants and vegetables as they grow for food. They are great climbers and can jump fences pretty quickly. I know there is also a dog that goes in through an opening in the fence to wonder around which is not good either.
Too Much Access:There may be a rule in some gardens that only people who sign contracts are the only people allowed to start a plot and have a combination. This also makes it easier to keep track of who enters and exits in the event of vandalism. When too many people enter and exit, things become missing, damaged and stolen. This brings me too my next point.
Unlocked Fences:When there is a lock on the property to protect people's plots, only those who have a combination or key can get in. Yet some people may exit and not lock it back, so it is easy for people to get in and can possibly do damage. Unwelcome and disrespectful outsiders can steal as well.
Lack of Resources:There are ways people are supplied water for your garden, but sometimes that well runs dry. So you have to keep contacting people to give you a refill or you have to depend on rain. Since it's not your own yard garden, you don't want to use your own water risking a high water bill in the future.
Pollution:I get upset seeing pollution in the streets, but when I see it over a fence in your garden it drives me up the wall. Why would anyone have the nerve to throw trash over the fence inside someone's gardening area. Then the trash not only makes it look bad but it can blow and harm your plants. I wouldn't even dare do that to someone and there is a garbage can on site.
Pest Control:I know as it gets closer to the summer more and more stray cats come out. The cats are advantage because they do kill any mice and rats they may stray out. But cats will go through your garden too. They may even start to eat plants and vegetables as they grow for food. They are great climbers and can jump fences pretty quickly. I know there is also a dog that goes in through an opening in the fence to wonder around which is not good either.
Too Much Access:There may be a rule in some gardens that only people who sign contracts are the only people allowed to start a plot and have a combination. This also makes it easier to keep track of who enters and exits in the event of vandalism. When too many people enter and exit, things become missing, damaged and stolen. This brings me too my next point.
Unlocked Fences:When there is a lock on the property to protect people's plots, only those who have a combination or key can get in. Yet some people may exit and not lock it back, so it is easy for people to get in and can possibly do damage. Unwelcome and disrespectful outsiders can steal as well.
Lack of Resources:There are ways people are supplied water for your garden, but sometimes that well runs dry. So you have to keep contacting people to give you a refill or you have to depend on rain. Since it's not your own yard garden, you don't want to use your own water risking a high water bill in the future.
Meet Me In The Garden Pt. 5
June 14, 2011
This is week 5 guys and things are starting to blossom and bloom. A few days last week we had temperatures above 90 and close to 100 degrees. The heat did not stop my family and I from tending to the garden giving the plants water after sundown. Then after a thunderstorm, the plants got a good amount of water.
We also tried to find a natural pesticide to keep spiders and bugs away without harming them or the plants. I read that Marigolds, Petunias, Onion plants and more herbs keep bugs away. So on June 8th we planted some pretty yellow Marigolds from WalMart in the plots. I also read the spraying onion powder or garlic powder keeps them away too. We even sprinkled red pepper powder around the plots to keep cats and dogs away that may try to make their way to the garden.
Bugs like Ladybugs are beneficial because the kill other insects.
Wednesday June 8, 2011
Plot 1
Plot 2
Sunday June 12, 2011
Plot 1
Plot 2
Monday June 13, 2011
Plot 1
Plot 2
Tuesday June 14, 2011
Plot 1
Plot 2
Slowly but surely it's trying to come along
Good reading
This is week 5 guys and things are starting to blossom and bloom. A few days last week we had temperatures above 90 and close to 100 degrees. The heat did not stop my family and I from tending to the garden giving the plants water after sundown. Then after a thunderstorm, the plants got a good amount of water.
We also tried to find a natural pesticide to keep spiders and bugs away without harming them or the plants. I read that Marigolds, Petunias, Onion plants and more herbs keep bugs away. So on June 8th we planted some pretty yellow Marigolds from WalMart in the plots. I also read the spraying onion powder or garlic powder keeps them away too. We even sprinkled red pepper powder around the plots to keep cats and dogs away that may try to make their way to the garden.
Feature: Home Gardening in the US
Yesterday was week four for my family and I plots in the community garden and they have been growing pretty good so far. In plot 1, we're growing red cabbage, stringbeans, tomatoes, collards and sweet peppers. In plot 2, there are collards, cabbage, tomatoes, and an eggplant plant. According to the graphic below, tomato is the most popular vegetable being grown throughout the country. It is also a vegetable most of my neighbors are growing as well. There are a few people growing cucumbers but I feel like I should have grew them as well because I love them so much. I can just cut them and eat them plain. But it is so cool that people are beginning to grow their own vegetables and fruits these days. With the increasing use of pesticides and genetically engineered foods, it is safer to grow what you know on your own. Hopefully this infographic can be of assistance to those who are planning a garden of their own.
Infographic: Home gardening in the U.S. | MNN - Mother Nature Network
Infographic: Home gardening in the U.S. | MNN - Mother Nature Network
Meet Me In The Garden Pt. 4
June 7, 2011
So this is week four guys and I do see some changes in my vegetables. I do see them trying to grow stronger and fuller. Both plots are looking good. I'm more confident than I was when I first started. Everyone's garden is showing progress and before you know it they will be ready to harvest. Here are some photos and videos of my progress.
Wednesday June 1, 2011
Plot 1
Plot 2
Tuesday June 7, 2011
Plot 1
Some plant food my neighbor recommended for us to use. Put a tablespoon of it in a gallon of water and sprinkle it on plants. Today will mark my first day using it. I'll have to use more in two weeks.
Plot 1
Plot 2
Around the garden
My sister
My neighbors
Done for the day
So this is week four guys and I do see some changes in my vegetables. I do see them trying to grow stronger and fuller. Both plots are looking good. I'm more confident than I was when I first started. Everyone's garden is showing progress and before you know it they will be ready to harvest. Here are some photos and videos of my progress.
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