In a few weeks, I'm giving a talk to a class of beginning Master Gardeners on vegetable gardening. Rather than going over the basics, which are easily found in books and on the web, I thought I'd share information based on my experience, things that might not be obvious to a beginning gardener. Some of these topics I've used in past talks and they were well received. Does anyone have any "Pearls of Wisdom" they would like to share, based on your experience. So, far I'm considering:
-the importance of compost; easy ways to make, such as sheet composting, etc.
-the benefits of raised beds (no till, permanent mulching, drainage, etc.)
-using wide rows instead of traditional rows (including inter-planting)
-planting for successive crops (radishes & lettuce, followed by green beans, followed by late plantings of cool-weather crops, etc.)
-new fertilizers such as alfalfa pellets & molasses
-vertical plantings to save space: cucumbers on trellises, etc. and pole beans vs. bush beans
-the importance of crop rotation in any garden to avoid pests and diseases
-unusual or different growing practices: potatoes under straw, grow boxes, etc.
Any suggestions or ideas are much appreciated! Thanks!
John
Any Words of Wisdom for including in a vegetable garden talk
I'd think about saying something about effort and reward, enjoyment, motivation, etc, in addition to technical content.
All About eBuckets! The new container gardening wave!
Thanks to DG, I'm enjoying winter sowing. I had good success last year as a beginner and have high hopes for this year.
If it hasn't already been covered for them in a previous MG section, the importance of pH. I'm always suprised how few folks don't know their pH and which veggies prefer what. With a few exceptions pH over 7.0 can reduce yields. Worse yet are those folks who THINK they know their pH, either from local lore or a neighbor and automatically add lime. I watched a neighbor lime the heck out his soil year after year after year and watched his garden struggle. Somebody, years ago, told him the soil was too acid. In fact it was pH 6.8. Didn't need any adjusting at all.
Looks like you have a good list of topics there. You're right; they probably already know the basics if they've decided to take the master gardener program.
If you have the time, you might mention things like companion planting, attracting beneficials, crop diversity, thinking of the garden as an ecosystem . . . that sort of thing.
Maybe even include some info on seed saving, if you think that would be appropriate for that group.
I'd recommend having them visit DG!!!!
All good suggestions! I do have to recommend joining us on DG for sure!
Any more suggestions are welcome. Thanks.
Extending on dividedsky, planting herbs with vegetables to attract beneficial bugs/repel pests; gardening to compliment the rhythm of nature. also many gardeners are tossing out the chemicals and going organic.
Planting and gardening with the phases of the moon and/or biodynamic gardening.
Seed germination techniques, scarify, stratify, soaking, using hydrogen peroxide...or other special tricks.
Another different growing practice would be straw bale gardening.
Oboy, Planting by the Moon.
This is so basic. There's a forum here on DG.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/lunarmania/all/
Hoosier - please send me a copy of your notes! I need to know more about a lot of that! M
Skywatch: I'd be glad to. The talk is on the 16th. If you don't hear from me later that week, d-mail to remind me.
perhaps you could publish your lecture as an article - or series of article here in DG..
I think many of us would enjoy the read..
-joe-
I will second that!
Thanks for the suggestion (compliment). I'll see how it works out! :)
Yeah. A DG Article!!!