BLOG: Is it too Late to Start a Garden?

OK, so I’ve heard from a couple of friends that they WANT to have a garden, but they STILL haven’t gotten around to it.  They ask me if it’s too late to start.  Well yes . . . and no.  This is a good time to start a summer garden and start thinking about your fall plantings. For instance, this is the time to sow more bush green beans in your garden.  The nurseries still have quite a few transplants, so these are a good option now too.  I wouldn’t buy lettuce transplants though as it’s getting too hot and they will be bitter.

In places that you’ve already harvested, you can add a large trowelful of blended compost, mix it in that square and sow seeds of summer squash, carrots, fall cabbage and turnips.

It’s also a good time to sow more cilantro, beets, kohlrabi, chard and Chinese cabbage.  I think it’s just a bit early, but I’ve seen articles that suggest starting your fall lettuce from seed now.  I guess you could give it a try.

Lastly, don't forget flowers and herbs in your garden.  There are plenty of heat-loving flowers and herbs.

When I ask my friends why they’ve put off their garden, they come up with a variety of excuses.  Recently I was reading a list of excuses that Mel Bartholomew, inventor of the Square Foot Gardening method wrote and he’s given me permission to share this information with you:

Do You Make Any Of These Gardening Excuses?

Excuse 1 – “I have no room.  My yard is too small, I have no yard.”

Square Foot Gardening requires very little space; 80% less than conventional. Can be done in as little as 4 feet by 4 feet, or 2 feet by 2 feet. Can even be done in a planter box on the patio.

Excuse 2 – “I don’t have a tiller or other garden tools.”

Square Foot Gardening requires no tilling, not even a shovel is necessary. (Just think of the peace and quiet of not having to run a noisy tiller.)

Excuse 3 – “I’ve never been successful at gardening, or I’ve never gardened before.”

Square Foot Gardening is so simplified and easy that even 4^th graders in many schools are learning it in their science class.

Excuse 4 – “I don’t have time.”

Square Foot Gardening is so much easier and as it is done in a smaller space; it requires much less time. And, the time spent is positive, peaceful, and relaxing. The very thing that people who “don’t have time” need: to unwind, reflect and collect their thoughts.

Excuse 5 – “I hate the weeding and the work.  I can’t get any help.  It’s just not worth it!”

Square Foot Gardening has no weeding, no heavy digging, no tilling, Square Foot Gardening is so simplified that only the enjoyable aspects remain. So therefore, NO WORK!, Just enjoyment.

Excuse 6 – “It’s too late in the season to get started.”

Square Foot Gardening can be started any time.

Excuse 7 – “My soil is too poor to grow anything.”

Square Foot Gardening uses an easily prepared soil mixture that replaces your “bad soil”. It can even be done on gravel, concrete, or a patio deck.

Excuse 8 – “Gardens use too much water.”

Square Foot Gardening uses only about 20% of the water required for traditional gardens

Excuse 9 – “I’ll be moving and I won’t be around for harvest.”

Square Foot Gardening can be done even in a planter or a tub that is 6 inches deep.

Excuse 10 – “I just don’t want to.”

Square Foot Gardening can actually change your mind about that too. Just give it a try, plant the seed (pun), work at it a little (a little is all that is needed). You’ll be amazed at the results.

P.S. – Square Foot Gardening can be all organic and is self sustaining.

KIM’S NOTES:  So there’s still time to start a garden for the summer and especially for the fall.  I will be teaching an in-depth series of Square Foot Gardening classes at Anne Arundel Community College from June 5-26 if you’d like to join me.  Or my last regular class of the spring/summer will be June 16^th here in Glen Burnie.