Vertical Interior Garden

Winter Vegetable Garden

Vegetable Gardening - Reward Yourself With Fresh Vegetables

Many people enjoy gardening. It gets you outdoors, lets you commune with nature, give you time to think things through, and gives you a chance to create something beautiful. Gardening flowers is fun, but vegetable gardening has special rewards beyond fragrant flowers. You and your family can eat your harvest of vegetables.

Juicy ripe tomatoes, crisp snap beans, crisp green lettuce, and fresh squash are just a sample of the many food products that you can take straight to your table from your vegetable garden. Just rinse and serve. What better fast food could you want? You can also select your vegetables at their peak. No sifting through under- and over-ripe tomatoes at the grocery store. No questions about whether chemical pesticides or additives hide on and in your supposedly healthy vegetables. That means you know your family is getting healthy, nutritious food when you serve the "fruits" of your vegetable gardening.

Like other types of gardening and yard work, vegetable gardening gets you some good exercise and healthy living. You're out in the fresh air, not trapped inside a dark stale room in your house. Vegetable gardening assures you get plenty of sunshine and the vitamin D you need to have healthy skin and bones. Not only that, but vegetable gardening is an excellent and effective way to work off the stress of modern life. No hassling with traffic or shopping mall crowds.

Vegetable gardening is a wonderful family activity, too. Preparing the bed, cultivating the soil, thinning seedlings and weeds, and harvesting ripe vegetables bring your family together with a sense of true accomplishment. Everyone at the table can be proud when your family sits down to an abundant table of home-grown vegetables they've all worked to produce. Not only that, your family can earn the friendship and gratitude of neighbors when your family shares the harvest.

The rewards of vegetable gardening last well after you've harvested the last winter crop. You can make a family game of freezing, canning, and preserving your vegetable harvest. That way, you'll enjoy the rewards of vegetable gardening throughout the year. You'll bring some of that summer sun to your table in the dead of a gloomy winter.

You'll also save a pretty penny when you replace those expensive frozen vegetables with your own. And you can create your own custom preserving recipes for unique, delicious dishes.

You don't have to own an acre of land for productive vegetable gardening. Any small plot of ground can provide abundant healthy vegetables. Vegetable gardening in containers, window boxes, even indoors, is a worthy pursuit as long as you have the proper soil, sun, and water. You can even extend your growing season indoors with artificial sunlight and warmth.

Give it a try. Buy some seeds, start a test plot indoors or out, and begin to enjoy the rewards of vegetable gardening for you and your family. Before you know it, you'll be placing a steaming bowl of fresh squash, a beautiful salad, or a big plate of condiments - the greatest rewards of home vegetable gardening.

Are ashes from a wood burner good for a vegetable garden?

I've been throwing the ashes from my fire on the garden all winter and was wondering if it was actually good for the garden or not

It's OK, but it will raise the alkalinity (pH) of your soil over time as well as add Potassium to the soil.

Additional details (FYI):

The benefits derived from ashes depend on your soil and the rate at which the ashes are applied. Generally, ashes contain potassium, a major plant nutrient plus a number of minor nutrients. Wood ashes contain all the mineral elements that were in the wood, except for nitrogen and sulfur which are lost through the burning process. Potassium, calcium and magnesium carbonate or oxide are present in comparatively large amounts giving the ashes a strongly alkaline reaction which can neutralize acid soils. However in soils that are already alkaline, high application rates can be harmful. A further compounding problem is that about 80 to 90 percent of the minerals in wood ashes are water-soluble, so that high application rates can cause salts to build up in soils, resulting in plant injury.

As a plant food, ashes contain 5 to 7 percent potassium and 11/2 to 2 percent phosphorous. They also have 25 to 50 percent calcium compounds. Hardwood (e.g. oak) ashes contain more potassium than those from softwoods (e.g. pine). If left out in the rain, because these nutrients are water-soluble, the ashes will lose their nutritive value. The less soluble carbonates which cause alkalinity will remain longer.

So how to use ashes? An average application is 5 to 10 pounds per 100 square feet, scattered on a freshly tilled soil and raked in. For a pre-plant treatment, it is best to apply ashes 3 or 4 weeks in advance of planting. They also can be sidedressed around growing plants or used as a mulch. A ring of ashes around a plant may ward off snails and slugs because the ashes are irritating to them.

In order to avoid problems of excess salinity or alkalinity, the applications should be limited to once per year. Avoid contact between freshly spread ashes and germinating seeds or new plant roots by spreading ashes a few inches away from plants. Ashes that settle on foliage can cause burning. Prevent this by thoroughly rinsing plants after applying ashes. Because they are alkaline, avoid using ashes around azaleas, camellias and other acid-loving plants.

Remember that ashes contain very little nitrogen, so your plant's need for this element must be met by other sources in a regular fertilizer schedule.

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Vegetable Spaghetti Winter Squash Seeds - Cucurbita Pepo - 4 Grams - Approx 24 Gardening Seeds - Vegetable Garden Seed List Price: $6.69 Sale Price: $4.49 You save: $2.20 (33%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description The Vegetable Spaghetti squash is a large yellow squash with unique flesh. The inside flesh is stringy and can be boiled or baked inside the shell and eaten with a fork similar to spaghetti. The Vegetable spaghetti squash is also tolerant of cooler climates. Features Cucurbita pepo 4 Grams: Approx 24 Seeds Germination Rate: 95% - Purity: 99% - Country of Origin: USA Days Until Harvest: 70 Generic Seeds: The Same High Quality Seeds Made By Mother Nature Just in Cheaper Packaging

Pink Banana Jumbo Winter Squash Seeds - Cucurbita Maxima - 6 Grams - Approx 20 Gardening Seeds - Vegetable Garden Seed List Price: $4.25 Sale Price: $2.89 You save: $1.36 (32%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description The Pink Banana Jumbo in an enormous squash with pink-orange skin. It can grow up to 4 feet long and weigh up to 70 pounds. It has a sweet and fine-grained flesh. Features Cucurbita maxima 6 Grams: Approx 20 Seeds Germination Rate: 85% - Purity: 99% - Country of Origin: USA Days Until Harvest: 115 Generic Seeds: The Same High Quality Seeds Made By Mother Nature Just in Cheaper Packaging

Strawberry Garden Hanging Basket Kit- Great Gift Idea- Grow Everbearing Strawberries Indoors / Outdoors All Year - No Seeds! Includes 8 Dormant Straw Berry Plants List Price: $44.95 Sale Price: $34.95 You save: $10.00 (22%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description NO SEEDS! SHIPS WITH DORMANT PLANTS READY TO GROW!Nothing could be simpler, faster or eaiser. The complete strawberry basket ships with 8 dormant everbearing strawberry plants that are ready to transplant and begin growing immediately. Enjoy big, lucious, tasty strawberries all year long, indoors or outdoors. An easy and complete solution to growing fresh strawberries anywhere. Just transplant the dormant plants into the basket (soil and fertilizer included). You can keep the planters indoors all year round or outdoors during the spring and summer. Buy several and harvest in rotation to have a continual supply of fresh strawberries.FAQQ- What are dormant plants? A- A plant that has been in a frozen storage for a period of time and is just waking up, or warming up. When planted it will spring to life and grow normally.Q- When do I plant my strawberry hanging basket? A- You should plant it as soon as you receive it. The dormant plants need to be planted as soon as possible to insure their success.Q- How long after I plant can I expect to harvest strawberries? A- After you plant the plants, you should see new leaves beginning to grow in about 1-2 weeks. It generally takes 6-8 weeks before you can pick your first strawberries. After that, youll be able to enjoy berries almost every day during your growing season.Q- How many strawberries can I expect? A- Each basket contains 8 plants. Each plant should produce up to 2-3 pounds of berries throughout your growing season (this could be affected adversely by poor watering and not following the recommendations for fertilizing your basket).Q- When do I need to put my Strawberry Hanging Basket to bed for the winter? A- When it starts to get cold, you can bring them indoors, or put them back in a dormant state. Instructions for winterzing your plants are included. Features Everbearing Strawberry Seascape Indoor /Outdoor Growing Kit- 8 Dormant Plants, Hanging Basket, Fertilizer & Soil Included Easy & Fun Growing Instructions Grow Everbearing Strawberries Indoors or Outdoors Year Round Plants begin Growing Almost Immediately. Great Hobby or Gift Idea - Buy Several for Strawberries For The Whole Family

Garden Patch Grow Box Terra Cotta Sale Price: $34.95   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Gardening should be fun - not a weekend chore. Finally, a NEW planter that grows vegetables for you! The Grow Box automatically adds the right amount of water and fertilizer so you never have to guess. You'll grow bushels of truly vine ripened produce without any digging or pulling weeds.No Gardening Experience? The Grow Box grows 'em For You! Simple step-by-step instructions let you grow like a pro. There's no daily schedules and nothing to learn. Just plant 'em and watch 'em thrive. All the gardening skills are built-in You'll pick fresh tomatoes, salads, peppers - as you need them, right from your deck.Enjoy A Productive Garden Anywhere you have Sunlight. Ideal for patios, decks, condos. Don't fret over poor soil or varmints eating your crop. The Grow Box works in any climate. Plants grow much faster and far more productive than growing in the ground - even without the work!Save Money, Live Healthier! Great for busy homemakers, Seniors, health & budget-conscious people who want to save money on safe, fresh produce. The Grow Box works for anyone, anywhere, year after year - no matter what your gardening skills.Imagine a planter that knows exactly what your plants need. The Grow Box was developed from 40 years of University and USDA research into what makes plants flourish. Our innovative design is the easiest and most productive growing method ever developed. You'll be amazed at what you'll grow - even beginners.Brown Thumb? It's Easy being green! The Grow Box works the way nature intended. Simple potting mix, fertilizer, rainwater and sunshine. 100% natural. Order today, grow and enjoy perfect tomatoes, peppers, cukes, salads - whatever you desire - for an entire year. Take until 2010 to decide you want to keep them. If you don't, we will refund your entire purchase price - even the initial shipping. We couldn't make this offer if we weren't confident the Grow Box will work perfectly for you. You have nothing to lose. Features No Weeding - No Digging - No Guessing! Automatically adds the right amount of water and fertilizer for you! Free Premium Blend Fertilizer included - an $8.95 value. Less watering for you. Holds days more water than others - 47% Toll Free Gardening Help Line - www.aGardenPatch.com

Red Winter Kale Certified Organic Heirloom Seeds 250 Seeds Sale Price: $1.89   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description You want to have most Kales finishing when you get your first frost for the sweetest flavor but this variety is sweet even before your frosts. Features This heirloom is know for its sweet and tender leaves. Plant them so they will mature in cool, not hot weather. Kale has twice as much vitamin C as orange juice. As with most salad greens they are quite high in calcium. Brassica oleracea Acephaha

Compact Winter Squash Seeds - Early Butternut & Delicata Sale Price: $3.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days See Reviews For This Product Description "All-America" winning duo of the best space-saving varieties: super productive Early Butternut Bush with creamy-orange flesh and Bush Delicata with striped rinds and delicious flavor. Features Plant In: April - June Sun/Shade: Full Sun Plant Depth: 1" / Space Seeds: 4" Days to Germinate: 7-10 Days Days to Harvest: 70 - 8 Days

Renee's Greens Crispy Winter Seeds 900 Seeds Sale Price: $2.79   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description This mixture of curly endive, radicchio and escarole is especially tolerant of cold weather. In fact the flavors are at their best when grown in cool seasons but without hard frosts. You can keep your hands in the dirt most of the year. Features These salad greens are especially happy in the cold. Mild and nutty curly endive. Crunchy rosettes of escarole. Red and tart radicchio add taste and interest. Grow them early spring or fall.

Bloomsdale Long-Standing Spinach - 700+ Seeds-PLUS PACK Sale Price: $6.17   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Heavy, continuous yield of thick-textured, crinkled, glossy, dark green leaves. Popeye's favorite heirloom variety! Heavy, continuous yield of thick-textured, crinkled, glossy, dark green leaves. Matures quickly. For first crop, sow in spring. Plant again in late summer. In mild winter areas, fall plantings yield in early spring. Sun/Partial Shade. Ready in just 48 days. 700+ Seeds, 10 Grams Features Heavy, continuous yield of thick-textured, crinkled, glossy, dark green leaves Popeye's favorite heirloom variety! Ready in just 48 days Sun/Partial Shade

Green Hubbard Winter Squash Seeds - Cucurbita Maxima - 5 Grams - Approx 20 Gardening Seeds - Vegetable Garden Seed List Price: $6.69 Sale Price: $4.49 You save: $2.20 (33%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description The Green Hubbard winter squash is a teardrop shaped fruit with a very stiff green rind and warty skin. The 8-12 pound fruits have sweet orange flesh and a dry texture. Features Cucurbita maxima 5 Grams: Approx 20 Seeds Germination Rate: 91% - Purity: 99% - Country of Origin: USA Days Until Harvest: 105 Generic Seeds: The Same High Quality Seeds Made By Mother Nature Just in Cheaper Packaging

Burgess Buttercup Winter Squash Seeds - Cucurbita Maxima - 4 Grams - Approx 24 Gardening Seeds - Vegetable Garden Seed List Price: $6.69 Sale Price: $4.49 You save: $2.20 (33%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description The Burgess Buttercup winter squash has orange flesh with a taste similar to sweet potatoes. The dark green fruits are some what flattened and cake shaped. The fruits grow to about 4.5" tall and 6" across. Features Cucurbita maxima 4 Grams: Approx 24 Seeds Germination Rate: 90% - Purity: 99% - Country of Origin: USA Days Until Harvest: 100 Generic Seeds: The Same High Quality Seeds Made By Mother Nature Just in Cheaper Packaging