Last year I ripped up my front lawn. The neighbors were appalled. The kids
were jubilant. During the summer months, I didn't spend a penny on produce, but
we had a fresh, organically grown salad every day. That's what I call dividends.
Most people are afraid to try to garden, or have had some unsuccessful
attempts in the past. But gardening is basically following some simple rules,
standing back and shouting,— "Man, oh man! Where did all that zucchini come
from?!"
The most important thing (and I'm not kidding). Find a place in your
yard that faces South. It should get 7 or more hours of direct sunlight each
day. If you can't find a good place, try gardening on your roof.
Dump out a big bag (or 2! or 3!) of compost (about $1-$5 a bag) on the place
you picked out. Take a shovel and act like Old McDonald. Mix that stuff into
the dirt, like you'd mix flour into a cake batter.
Plant the plants, or sow the seeds. DO read the directions. (My only
disaster last year was planting the cucumbers too early. I didn't read the
directions!)
Give each plant about a cup of water when necessary. Different climates have
different needs. Pray for rain.
Fertilize those mamas! (Fertilizer costs about $2 for a small box and it'll
last you all season). Do this at least once a month. Your veggies will jump out
of the ground and kiss you!
Here are my favorite veggies. They produce heaps, taste like wow, and don't
suddenly die on you.
`Northeaster' pole beans:
Plant at the bottom of your chain link fence (or some sort of trellis).
`Aria' cucumber:
Israeli-type. I got over 200 from one vine! If you try to grow one thing,
this should be it! Plant at the bottom of your chain link fence (or again
trellis).
`Arlesa' baby zucchini and `Sunburst' baby scallop squash
Pick them when really tiny, steam them, add a dab of butter. Perfect!
Any cherry tomato variety, but especially `Yellow Peas', `Sweet 100 Plus,' or
`Sugar Snack'
Most garden centers carry at least one of these in early spring.
It's a short list, but these are really fool-proof (I grew them, didn't I?!).
If you're really nervous, start with one, and see how much fun it really is and
how much money it saves you over the season. Better yet, let one of your
children (age 7 or older) be in charge.
One last tip: You really do have to pull out the weeds, but if you lay down
some plastic around the plants, the weeds will be unable to come up. Black
garbage bags are fine. Use some rocks to hold them down. And enjoy!
LOGIN
ASK THE RABBI
