excellent resource on northern vegetable gardening

There was a great series on northern vegetable gardening posted this January posted at the Minnesota State Horticultural Society webpage.  If you are thinking of starting a vegetable garden this year, or maybe growing more or different vegetables than you have done in the past, this is a great resource. 

Here is a quick reference guide to what I think will be the most useful posts for anyone planning a new vegetable garden:

Day 1: So you want a vegetable garden?  This intro post talks about some of the good reasons for starting a vegetable garden.

Day 2: Where to put your vegetable garden. If you are starting from scratch, this post talks about the most important considerations of soil, sun (at least 6 hours per day!), water, and convenience.

Day 3: Pots vs. Raised Beds vs. Traditional Beds  I agree with this post - if you have the space, raised beds are the way to go!! Also see my post about What you need to know for building raised bed vegetable gardens for more information.

Day 4: What to grow in your vegetable garden My best recommendation: grow what you like to eat!

Day 5: Seeds vs. starter plants  Some advantages and disadvantages of each are described.  I say, try seeds, you've got nothing but a couple of bucks to lose!

Day 7: Designing your vegetable garden  Practical as well as aesthetic considerations.

Day 8: Vegetables in the ornamental garden  Don't forget this possibility!  I grow herbs, rhubarb, edible flowers, fruiting shrubs, and more in my ornamental gardens.

There are lots of great tips for starting your own seeds, when to plant, winter sowing, succession planting, extending the season etc. as well, so anyone who already has a vegetable garden will find some useful posts for these more "advanced" strategies later in the month.

Comments

[Paula H.]

Thanks for the link! I'll be spending the weekend checking out veggies. This weather always makes me want to get out to garden-maybe a trip to the garden centre is in order. Well, all my house plants did die...:(

[Calgary Garden Coach]

Hi Paula,
Enjoy your weekend dreaming about veggies! Too bad about your house plants... but that sounds like an opportunity to me!
;-)
Cheers,
Janice

[youbee]

That's great if you are thinking of starting a vegetable garden this year or maybe growing more or different vegetables than you have done in the past, this is a great resource..

[littleton patios]

Awesome collaboration! Some of these can be a great design in garden. Thanks for sharing some ideas.