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

Each year is a new experience in gardening and garden planning is one area that helps shape and define you garden and backyard. In 2010 The Gardener’s Rake will emphasis more Do It Yourself ideas for gardening and backyards. Garden businesses and money saving gardening ideas are also top considerations for this site.

photo credit: Joshua Kaufman
How to start a perennial gardening business has been covered before but a more detailed plan and blogging results will follow. With times being tough for many the added income of growing your own plants, trees and shrubs will be helpful plus you may be able to add a little additional income from selling plants to friends or the neighborhood.

An herb garden or herb business is rather easy and easy to start with only a few plants. You may be able to trade herbs with someone else for a larger plant variety plus the benefits of herbs for cooking, crafting and your health are invaluable.

Fast and easy hand built greenhouse plans will be covered. I know they are easy. I put one up myself and it’s still standing. It’s made of old recycled windows and heated by solar heat. I picked up most of the windows for free so my main cost was for a fan and a door.

Plans and sharing ideas for a recession or community garden will also be covered more in-depth. By studying victory gardens from the past you can learn secrets from experienced gardeners.

Information on indoor plants, outdoor plants, fruits and vegetables will be covered. The information will either be covered here or links will be provided for the information you need to plant and harvest a successful garden.

There will be the addition of a forum to ask your gardening questions.

Gardening makes a great hobby, provides fresh air and exercise, it’s a time families can spend together and most importantly, its save money and at the same time provides healthy fresh food.

Technorati Tags: handmade greenhouse, money saving garden ideas, perennial gardening business, recession garden, the gardeners rake

Every year I promise myself not to have too many gardens and every year I push that promise. There is no doubt I am garden addicted. This year I have three gardens and I know there will be containers scattered about the yard. But over all this is not a bad number of gardens, for me.
photo credit: 【╠╣♥ŃEҰ】

My largest garden is 25 foot by 30 foot and is set up to be as easy of a garden to maintain as possible. This is my Lasagna Garden/Straw bale garden combination. I have combined the two garden techniques to simplify my gardens and improve the soil in this older garden bed.

This area is also fenced, which in my backyard has become a necessity in the last few years with rabbits and groundhogs.

To start my garden I have put down cardboard over the entire garden area that I picked up free at a local store. I chose cardboard over newspaper to make sure I had all the sod covered well enough to stop its growth.

My next step was to pick up old sawdust and leaves. The sawdust came from a local bat mill and the leaves were picked up on a weekend cleaning the township offered. I layered the leaves down first in a 8 inch layered and then added the older sawdust in a 6 inch layer. I topped the layers off with sheep manure and watered lightly.

Later today I will top the mixture off with fresh grass clippings and straw.

My next step will be to plan the straw bale garden areas. I plan on making 3 square bale garden areas for the gourds and melons. I will also have a moss covered flower tier from straw bales to make the garden area fun and my last straw bales garden will actually be for vegetables and herbs.

After I have decided where to place the straw bales, I will begin to treat them for planting. Also at that time I will decide where I want my other lasagna garden area in my fenced garden area and slay out the plans for them. I will raise this area with more composting materials to create my lasagna garden growing areas in a raised bed fashion.

More plans and photos will follow for my lasagna garden/straw bale garden as the garden takes shape.

My other gardens include the small space $20 dollar recession garden and my perennial gardening bed for new perennial flowers and herbs.

If you are using the straw bale gardening method or lasagna gardening method let me know how your garden is doing.

Technorati Tags: 20 dollar recession garden plan, creative gardening, lasagna garden, lasagna garden/straw bale garden method, recession garden, small space garden, Straw Bale Garden, straw bale gardening