The Rusted Garden Journal : December 2015

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Test Germinating/Sprouting Tomato Seeds & Other Seeds in the Winter

Test Germinating/Sprouting Tomato Seeds & Other Seeds in the Winter

Tomato seeds can last years if taken care of properly. Other seed can last a long time too. However, you want to test germinate them every once and while to make sure they are still viable. This will save you both money and time. You won't need to buy seed if your old seed are good and you won't sit around waiting for bad seeds to germinate.

You can do these for any older seeds you want to check.

Good Luck with Your Garden,
Gary (The Rusted Garden)

Join My New YouTube Channel Just for NEW Gardeners: My First Vegetable Garden

Join My FB Page - :The Rusted Garden FB Videos

Join My FB Group - :The Rusted Garden: All About Vegetable Gardening

Monday, December 14, 2015

My Community Plot 2016 E-1: Building & Filling Raised Beds Using Layers: Wood Chips, Compost & More

My Community Plot 2016 E-1: Building & Filling Raised Beds Using Layers:

Wood Chips, Compost & More

I am starting the 2016 Community Plot Series off with building beds. I show you how to build and fill a 4 x 4 raised bed. I talk about the benefits of raised beds and why I choose them for that part of the garden. I also use principles in 'Back to Eden Gardening' which included using fresh wood chips and layers of compost and manure. Basically following Nature's direction.

Sunday, December 6, 2015

How to Collect Seeds from Flowers and Herbs: A Simple Way to Save Money!

How to Collect Seeds from Flowers and Herbs:

A Simple Way to Save Money!

Basically just go and get them! I use Snapdrgaons and Chives as examples for collecting flower and herb seeds. It is easy to do and it saves money. Simply collect the dried flower heads. Save the seeds in envelopes or small containers and they can last for years. Just keep them in call dark place. Fall is a great time for seed collecting. You can use them next spring as I will, in my seed starting trays.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Planting Fall Garlic Quickly and Easily - Plant a Few Cloves! - TRG 2016

Planting Fall Garlic Quickly and Easily - Plant a Few Cloves!

Garlic can take the cold and is often planted in the Fall in many areas. It will over-winter freezes and snow nicely. I show you how I plant common store bought garlic in Maryland Zone 7. Typically I get it in the ground in mid October. However, if the ground can be worked and you can plant it below your freeze level... you can still plant it.

Organically Preparing a Fall Garden Bed for Spring: Newspaper Weed-Block! - TRG 2016

Organically Preparing a Fall Garden Bed for Spring:

Newspaper Weed-Block!

There are many ways to prepare your vegetable garden beds in the fall so they are ready for the spring. This is how I prepares some of my beds, so come fall, I just turn the ground and plant. I prepared this with organic fertilizers and I use a newspaper layer for weed block. Like I said, come spring I just turn it and plant it.

How to Use Hardwood Ash as Fertilizer: Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium - TRG 2016

How to Use Hardwood Ash as Fertilizer:

Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium

I am starting the 2016 gardening season off with this video. This is how you can use hardwood ash in your garden. My approach is very limited use of hardwood ash in the fall. This gives your garden or more specifically the soil organisms time to break the ash down. Hardwood ash provides potassium, calcium, magnesium and trace elements to your vegetable gardens.