According to a new survey The Impact of Home and Community Gardening in America, gardening is on the rise – big time. The survey, conducted by the National Gardening Association (NGA) notes that food gardening in the U.S. during 2009 has seen a 19% increase from last year. In fact, the survey notes that around seven million more households are planning on growing their own fruits, vegetables, herbs, or berries this year. This increase is fairly large when you consider that there was just a 10% growth in new gardeners between 2007-2008.

Many in the gardening and economics world assume the …read more

Around the Midwest and Northeast, Mother’s Day is traditionally viewed as the beginning of the summer growing season. In many places in these regions, the last threat of frost has passed and one can safely plant tender annuals and vegetables, such as tomatoes, peppers, impatiens, begonias, and geraniums.

As you’re planning your summer garden, make sure to plant a little extra to donate to hunger centers in your area. Food pantries are always in need of fresh produce. It doesn’t take a big investment of time or money to make a difference this Mother’s Day and throughout the year. In …read more

Spring is the best time to plant onion sets in the Midwest and Northeast. Look for these baby onions at garden centers and groceries in April. Choose marble-size onions that are firm, but haven’t yet sprouted.

Onion sets should be sown in direct sunlight (a place that gets at least six years of sun). Place the bulbs about 1 1/2″ to 2″ below the soil line and about 6″ to 12″ apart. Water well.
Onions are ready to harvest when at least 1/2 of the tops have fallen over. Mature onions can be stored in a cool, …read more

Your garden can truly be a “moveable feast” when you grow vegetables in containers. And, one of the easiest and most suitable plants for container growing is lettuce. These seeds have a very shallow root system and taste best when harvested young, thus they don’t need more room than a large tub, planter, or crock has to offer.

For best results, plant your lettuce seeds early in the season, just when the soil is able to be tilled. Wait too late and the hot weather will cause the plant to “bolt,” or send a bitter stalk up from …read more

Are you dying to start your vegetable garden? I know I am. While it’s a little early in the Midwest and Northeast to be planting tomatoes outdoors, you can still get in the gardening mood by taking advantage of the free organic, heirloom tomato seed offer from Tomato Heirlooms.com.

To order your seeds, you just have to visit their Web site and create a (free) account with them and sign up for their newsletter. Your seeds will come in the mail just in time for planting.
(photo credit: stock xchng)

This year, approximately seven million more households will turn to gardening than in 2008, according to a 2009 report from the National Gardening Association. The report cites that monetary savings has been what has encouraged most people to start gardening, including the Obamas. In late March, Michelle Obama broke ground on the South Lawn of the White House with two dozen local elementary school students to create a 1,100-square-foot garden with 55 types of vegetables.

Most households do not need a garden that large to realize the savings of homegrown vegetables; any size garden will yield a reduction in your grocery …read more

Michelle Obama broke ground on the South Lawn of the White House with two dozen local elementary school students in late March to create a 1100-square-foot garden with 55 types of vegetables.

Below are just a few of the vegetables she planted, how early to plant them, and the days to maturity:
Carrots — 2-3 weeks before — 50-80
Broccoli — …read more

According to a new survey by the National Gardening Association’s (NGA), food gardening in the United States is on the rise as 7 million more households plan to grow their own fruits, vegetables, herbs or berries in 2009, up 19 percent from 2008. This anticipated increase is nearly double the 10 percent growth in vegetable gardening activity from 2007 to 2008 as more food gardeners emerge this year.

More Americans are recognizing the benefits of growing their own produce, including improved quality, taste and cost savings. In 2008, gardeners spent a total of $2.5 billion to purchase seeds, plants, fertilizer, tools …read more

In the Midwest and Northeast, the urge to get into the dirt and plant things is almost irresistible as the weather starts to warm. Unfortunately, most plants require a little warmer soil in order to thrive. However, there are a few plants that enjoy the crisp April weather. Below are just a few things that you can safely plant in April:

Asparagus
Rhubarb
Horseradish
Spinach
Peas
Carrots
Beets
Parsnips
Radishes
Cabbage
Cauliflower
April is also a good month to make sure that all of your gardening equipment is clean and in working order. You can also prune rose bushes and other summer-flowering bushes in April. Of course, there are also …read more