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Today is day one of my Winter Recession Garden.

photo credit: thebittenword.com

I have left over seeds from summer, which are still viable so I will not be buying any seeds at this time. Fresh seeds also do not hit the stores until later February or March in my zone 5 climate.

Tip: Order your seeds from catalogs as soon as possible. I always enjoy ordering seeds when he snow is falling and is too cold to want to be outdoors

Today I am organizing my seeds and cleaning my potting containers and raised bed containers.

I clean my pots in a mild bleach and warm water then I also use dish soap for one more cleaning. I let the pots air dry. If there is any staining on the pots I use either red cider vinegar or baking soda to remove it. I want to make sure any dirt or bacteria is not on the pots.

I will also be building indoor raised beds for starting seeds this year. I am using old drawers from vintage dressers that were about to be tossed. I will need to line the drawers to make sure hat if the wood was treated any chemicals will not affect the soil. The drawers do not looked treated and are very old, but I will take the added precaution anyways.

I will need to drill drainage holes in the drawers and make sure the soil drains well. Directions will follow for this project in a few days.

Next I will check my soil. I use a mix of compost and sterilized soil mix but you may want to use just a soilless potting mix. If I feel I might have a soil mildew problem or if I am concerned about my lighting I use a soilless potting mix.

This year I have a strong natural lighting and will use a few watering tricks that have halted any mildew or soggy soil problems.

Once my soil and pots are prepared I will take stalk of my planting area. Its still cold here in NW PA and if I heat the greenhouse it will cost a lot. So this year I am using the basement apartment to grow my garden. The basement was severely damaged in flooding this summer so it’s the perfect place to use this winter as its just sitting there waiting to be redone.

I have two wonderful windows with natural lighting that I will sit my seedling by. And believe it or not, I have a small portable mini greenhouse that I plan to set up by the one window that has a draft to protect the plants and add more heat to the area. This area will be for plants that want more heat like tomatoes and peppers. Leafy greens will do just fine by the other window.

And to make better use of my lighting, my plants will be placed vertically by the windows. The dresser drawer raised beds will be used in the mini greenhouse and pots will be placed on glass shelves I am making for the windows or in hanging pots and baskets.

photo credit: WaveBreaker

So now that I have a plan in place and my seeds set aside, its time to get busy.

And as expected, greens can be easily grown in the winter along with herbs, a few edible flowers, onions and garlic. But I am also growing tomatoes, a few bean plants, peppers, and I am trying a few cucumber plants. A few of these plans will need hand pollinated but its winter and I am trying to distract myself from the snow that is falling and covering the ground.

My next post will tell how to create the dresser drawer raised beds and how to make a warmer climate area in your home, particularly if you have limited space

Technorati Tags: indoor gardening, portable greenhouse, raised beds, winter recession garden, winter recession gardening planning

As 2009 ends and 2010 begins, I look more to garden planning for the next year. In my Zone 5 climate gardening is usually in the planning only stage in December and January.  But this year will be different.

photo credit: Hair Squared

For 2010 recession gardening and perennial gardening will become a more important part of my garden plans.

Community gardening has always been an interest to me and recently Recession Gardens their benefits for our health, environment and economy have become a focus of my garden plans for the future.

This year I plan to document my recession garden plans and start early. As a matter of fact I have a winter recession garden ready to start. It’s amazing what you can plant in the winter in the house or a small hoop house or greenhouse. I plan to push the limits of what can be grown and see if I can get more than salad greens, mini tomatoes, herbs and strawberries to produce.

Last years Recession Garden.

Last year I planned a 20-dollar Recession Garden. My goal was to start a garden using only $20 for any seeds or garden tools. I grew 20 plus vegetables, most from seed but some vegetable do better from transplants so I bought a few plants. I easily managed to stay within $20.00, using a few frugal gardening techniques.

Overall the garden was successful. I saved over $2000.00 in grocery bills and still have some of the garden harvest frozen or canned. And I know what chemicals were used on my produce – none!

My biggest changes in gardening last year were the use of small space gardening techniques, more use of container gardening and growing more crops under cover. Our summer was so wet and cold at night I moved most of the garden under cover and plan to garden this way from now on.

photo credit: Gardener_24

Why garden under cover?

• Less insects
• it solved the small animal destruction I have had for years
• more control over climate and moisture issues
• tomato blight can be controlled easier
• it leads to time and back saving ideas.
• extended gardening season
• your garden location is usually closer to you home, or attached.

But gardening under cover meant I had to learn to water differently, control the climate if I had hot days and make and recycle soil and planters. It was a learning experience and I must admit I lost a few plants.

So this next week is “order any seeds I want” and start my winter recession garden.

Technorati Tags: 20 dollar recession garden, garden planning, recession garden, small space gardening, winter recession garden

Potting tables also called potting benches have many uses. I know that my potting bench is an invaluable asset to my garden and backyard work area. My potting bench is one of the most useful garden tools I have – I would be lost without it.

photo credit: SuperFantastic

There are two main concerns to consider when adding a potting table to your garden area, location and if it’s sturdy enough for how you intend to use it. Ideal potting tables will also have enough shelves and trays to store gloves and tools with sufficient workspace left for potting and planting.

Potting tables are also used for sorting seeds, mixing soil, and fertilizers.  When working with soils its best to have storage nearby and water for cleaning.

Another advantage of a potting table is for weather related problems. You can still plants and use the table in the winter, with additional heat and lighting. And if you have a cold and wet summer like my last summer you can have the table under cover and play in soil to you hearts content.

And if you want to interest children in gardening and plants, a potting table will give them a place to plants and play under supervision.

Types of potting table and potting benches

Cedar and Teak potting tables are lightweight and unlikely to crack.  They are also resistant to weather and insect attack.  Normally these potting tables are three feet high with strong storage compartments.  Cedar and teak have a look that will fit into a patio or balcony area and add to the atmosphere.

Aluminum potting tables are favored by many horticultural enthusiasts because they clean up well and being aluminum do not seem to have as many cleaning or disinfecting problems. Just spray and wipe down and its ready to go.  These tables are available with two sections or three sections. My potting bench is wood but the sinks, which are located under a worktop, are aluminum.

Tip: Sinks in a potting table speed up cleaning garden vegetable, watering plants and cleaning garden pots.

There are also plastic potting tables. These tend to be the most reasonably priced. I can honestly say I know very little about them.

Wood potting tables are also widely used. My potting bench is handmade from rustic wood and sealed for water. It has aluminum sinks and a water source that is two foot away. It is very durable and cleans up well. And being made from rustic wood it matches my patio area. Its also has wheels on the legs so that it can be used indoors in the winter or outdoors.

My potting bench is my gardener’s play station where I can spend hours enjoying my plants and planning my garden areas.

Technorati Tags: potting bench, potting table, types of potting tables