Lessons learned from my first vegetable garden

As we say goodbye to summer and usher in fall I wanted to share some of the lessons I learned about gardening. I planted my first vegetable container garden this year and it has been so much fun. Though no longer a novice I still have a lot to learn. Here are a few things I picked up.

1. PATIENCE, PATIENCE, PATIENCE(my word for the year)
2. Ask for advice from experienced gardeners. Forums and blog sites offer great advice and examples as well.
3. You don’t have to spend a lot of money. Home Depot five gallon buckets work just as well as expensive planters.
4. Don’t plant anything you don’t want to eat.
5. Make a list of things you want to plant and stick to it.
6. Cucumbers are carnivorous and will take over the garden.(I have my neighbor to thank for this lesson). I will not be planting them.
7. Follow mixing recommendations for the soil for each plant type. They aren’t uniform.
8. Make a written watering and fertilizing schedule. This will eliminate guessing.
9. Pay attention to the plant leaves. Much like human hair, leaves often show early signs of diseases.
10. Make the Farmer’s Almanac your friend.
11. PATIENCE, PATIENCE, PATIENCE

P.S. Check out my Gardening page with photos.