This gardening season is a complete trial and error. I chose to go with an non-traditional method of gardening, called the Tower Garden. I have been SO happy with my Tower and thought I may add some raised beds for next season, however, I realized that my Tower is producing just what we need and it is so easy that I will just stick with it for now. I am not saying never, but it is a perfect fit for now. I have been learning along the way and a few things I have come across and wanted to share:
Powdery Mildew
Yucky white powder on my squash plant leaves called Powdery Mildew. I had NO idea what to do and Lindsay from our sister site, Crunchy Savings, gave me some tips since she has tons of experience with her Crunchy Garden! First, you can plant at least 3 seeds into one hole and this can help with that issue. I only had one plant so I went to her second suggestion, Dr. Bronners chemical free insecticidal spray. It is all natural, keeping your garden organic and safe enough to let the kids spray!! I sprayed twice a week and after a heavy rain and it worked!! I still have an issue with one of my cucumber plants, but the spray has helped overall. Quick and easy to make, effective and minimal cost!
What to do with all that Basil
My goal for this garden is to supply my family with enough produce to eat and then get what I want to can at Farmers Markets. I have been getting a constant and steady amount of cucumbers, squash, herbs, greens for salads and smoothies and now I have a ton of tomatoes and peppers. One thing that I have been getting too much of is basil. I don’t mind pesto, but you can only make so much pesto so I decided to use my dehydrator and dry all the basil I was getting daily!! It was super easy and now I can just crush it up for cooking!
1. Pull all your basil leaves off and put it on your dehydrator trays.
2. Plug in your dehydrator and dry all day and/or overnight if needed. Your leaves will turn brown and that is normal!
3. Put your dried leaves in a ziploc and you are good to go!
Cilantro Overload
My cilantro was out of control and so I found that you freeze your cilantro!
1. Chop the cilantro. Put them into the ice-cube trays and cover them with OIL!
2. Freeze until solid and then throw them in a ziploc.
3. Now you can take a cube or two out for cooking and you already have your oil and chopped herb ready to go!!
4. I didn’t do this with my basil because I read that it is a softer herb and may not taste as well.
Sorry, I thought I took pics of this, but couldn’t find them to post! :)
Overall, I have been so happy with my garden. I have a little love affair with it, and the kids love it too! Regardless of you space or time commitment, if you want to garden you can make it happen! There are SO many ways to garden. Do your research, take the plunge and JUST DO IT! :)
Here is my Tower Garden just a few weeks ago. My vine plants were getting a little crazy so I attached some tomato cages to the outside of my Tower Garden tomato cage.
I then fished my vine plants through them. It has been working and helping to keep things under control :)
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I wish to admit the fact that through your blog I became a good gardener as you have blogged here many informative stuffs that is related to gardening .I am very much refreshed to read this in your blog.
nice
The tower garden looks excellent (it is almost a tree garden). It seems that you have a very green thumb.
Thanks it is a very cool invention!Sent from my iPhone