Composting Sites Galore!

Do you want to know about how to compost? Do you want to see a site that has tons of info. on how to start composting? Here's the link: http://beginningfarmers.org/information-about-composting/

Quite a lot of info here...going to have to set aside some time to look at this one...

Soil Testing Sites

If you're interested in testing your soil this year, before planting, check out this link which lists many in our area:
http://www.assabetriver.org/take-action/whatyoucando/lawn/garden-centers

Garden Preparation - things to think about for 2011 planting season

This may be old hat to many of you but there are some things to think about in January in preparation for planting in late April/Early May here in Massachusetts:

1. Know how much sun your garden gets. If you get less than 6 hours of sunlight a day, you need to plant accordingly.
2. Prepare your soil and test your soil if you can. There are local resources at UMass here. I'm sure there are others which Google will happily find for you. Testing the soil allows you to amend the soil and get it ready for your vegetables, herbs and flowers. Each plant has its own ph range and it does vary. 
3. Plant your tallest plants in your northerly part of your garden. This is so your plants get maximum sun exposure and the tallest plants won't shade out the other plants in your garden.
4. Give your plants enough space. Sometimes you don't need to plant as far apart as the seed packet says as you know that particular plants aren't going to compete for nutrients. You'll have to experiment with this and if you're not sure, you could always ask your neighbors!
5. Plan by the seasons. Here are some suggestions as to when to plant what:  Spring – sugar snap peas, lettuce, broccoli; Summer – tomatoes, peppers, eggplant; Fall – same as Spring; Winter – Kale, Garlic, Brussels Sprouts. If you're growing from seed it's usually suggested you start them indoors 3-6 weeks ahead of when you want to plant them.  Our planting date is usually end of April/beginning of May, fyi.
6. Crop rotation - if possible try not to plant the same plant families in the same places as last year. 

That's all I can think of for now. Feel free to list your comments about your experiences and suggestions

New Year, New Cousin's Garden Blog, New Seed Catalogs...

Welcome!

I created this blog today, January 1, 2011, to be a place where I, the current Garden Coordinator, can post information for Cousin's Field gardeners and where we can share gardening tips as well as discuss organic gardening techniques by entering comments in response to blog postings. 

For example, here are some of the topics I think would be good to bring up for discussion in the future: 

• Compost delivery?  From whom, how, when, ...
• Hoses
• Weeding

By the way...

...has anyone gotten their new seed catalogs yet? Johnny's Seeds arrived here yesterday and I plan to start looking now! What catalogs have you gotten so far? Do you recommend one over the other? Let us know!