Lord bless these hands with strength I pray
that they may be able to toil day by day
bless the soil in which I plant
To bring forth fruit Lord please us grant.
Bless the lettuce, beets and potatoes please
Let them grow and produce with ease
allow the carrots, beans and kale
onions and radish come without fail
Bless the corn that it may rise
to reach the clouds in your blue sky
Its golden nuggets so ripe and sweet
give hearty meals to us who reap
Grant us much sunshine dear Lord we pray
so that our gardens will grow each day
It’s not just for our family or for greed
But to help feed others that are in need
Bless the fruits of our labor dear Lord we pray
and give us strength to plant another day.
Author: Gary Brill
Simple Gardens Exposed
Please feel free to copy The Gardeners Prayer if you so desire. I would only ask that the authors name be included. Thank you!
Read more!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Simple Seed Germination
One of my favorite tunes from Elton John is the song entitled "The Circle of Life". Although germinating a seed has nothing to do with the movie...the concept of a life full circle remains the same. It is magnificent to watch something so small and trivial as a seed perfect itself into a sustainer of life.It is that full circle that perpetuates a seed to grow into a life that will draw from the soil its needed sustainment and then grow into a plant that will take carbon dioxide and filter it and produce oxygen. It is also pure amazement to me that a seed so insignificant can grow into a fir tree that will reach 90' tall. And from that same tree, we will heat our homes, build our house, create furniture and paper.
We understand that the whole perpetuation of the vegetable life is dependant upon one small seed being able to germinate so that it can reproduce itself by many fold. It seems; at times, a contradiction of life itself that a seed must produce a plant, and then that same plant be required to die in order to reproduce.
It seems that most all life is based upon this very same principle and as much as I am awe-struck of this concept...I am glad that it is so.
It is for this reason why that one or two plants can virtually turn into millions of plants that will either produce a flower, grain or a fruit that will virtually help feed millions and billions of people. Every time we sit down to eat; we as humans minimize the fact that something has given its life, so that we may be nourished in order to grow.
Therefore, it is for this reason that gardening for me is such a pleasure. I get to help return the favor to nature and its abundance to my well being by spreading and propagating the seeds in order for them to continue their mission of life sustainment to me and mine. And one of the ways that I perform this task is to simply give the seeds and opportunity to germinate. And this; of course, is the reason for this writing.
I would like to share with you a quick and simple way in which I germinate a lot of my seeds-if I am for some reason...way behind in getting my seeds started. This method is fast and I don't recommend it for all seeds, but it works for many of them.
I first take a piece of aluminum foil that's about 24" in length. You can make it any length you choose, but I very seldom plant more than a row of any one item longer than that.
Then I will take paper towel and lay it down on top of the foil about the same length. Then I will lay out my seed in the desired spacing on top of the paper towel.
For lettuce...I don't worry to much about spacing, but for radish's; I will space them about 1" apart. You can look on a package of seed and it will usually tell you about how far to space them.
Then I will take another strip of paper towel and lay over top of the seeds. (I don't use the full width of the towel. I use just enough width to adequately cover the seeds.)
I then take a misting bottle full of non-chlorinated water and spray the paper towels until wet.
Take your fingers and press the paper towel down over top of the seed until the towel does a good job of folding around the seeds. Then I place the whole thing on top of my fridge or in some other warm place.
I mist the paper towel every day so that the towel stays moist. Do not over-spray. You just want the towel staying moist. The area that you place the seed in or on should be at least 72 degrees. This could be on top of the VCR, refrigerator or a stove of some sort. Just make sure the top of the stove don't get to warm.
You don't need light. At this point...light is not necessary.
Somewhere in the vicinity of 5-6 days; your plants should be sprouting and on their way to growth. You can check them and you will see when they have germinated and are on their way to growth. This is the time when I take them out to the garden for planting.
Planting this way is also very simple and easy.
Take the seeds to the garden while still on the foil...this will give you a little stability in handling.
Make a very shallow trough in your garden row the same length as your paper towel.
Lay the foil and seed on top of the trough, then slide the foil out from underneath the paper towel. Now the paper towel should be lying on the soil.
Then cover the entire paper towel and the seed with about 1/2" of soil. (Don't pat the soil down.) Take your spray bottle and soak the soil. As the water is sprayed on the soil, you will see it compress as the air in the soil is replaced by water.
And this completes the germination and planting process. There is no pots that you have to deal with, no potting mix preparation and no root shock. The paper towel will act as somewhat of an insulator from chilly nights and it will decompose in the soil.
I don't try to impress on anyone that this is the best way to start seeds, but it is certainly simple and fast. I don't do this with every seed that I put in the garden, but I do love it for lettuce, radish, carrot, and greens.
You will find that with small seed such as those mentioned above...it will make life a whole lot simpler and you don't have to go back later and thin out.
Just another simple idea to ponder!
Read more!
Friday, March 20, 2009
For large quanities of Heirloom Seeds at bulk prices Luscombe Affiliates is a site to visit. Luscomb Affiliates offers many articles with more of a survivalist attitude, but the good intention is there. They offer high quality seeds at a discounted bulk price. You may feel like they are a little apocolyptic; however, if you can overlook the "end of the world outlook"; they offer some good insight of things to ponder.Read more!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Integrated/Companion Planting
Many plants have natural substances in their roots, flower and leaves that can repel or attract insects. The trick; of course, is to know which plants will do the attracting and which ones will do the repelling. This is a science that Herbalist and Horticulturist have been studying for centuries and in my opinion...they have only just scratched the surface.
Probably the best study of this is nature itself. It appears that when God sits things in order, they seem to work in perfect harmony. However, when man steps in and thinks he can do a better job is when that harmony seems to blow up in our face.
Therefore, in my opinion, what we need to do is copy or duplicate nature and they way she sits things in order. Our ecosystem works on the process of integration where ever we go. So what we need to do is to incorporate this same philosophy into our own gardens.
It is not for me or even a horticulturists to say what is best for your little plot of land that you call your garden. The main reason is because of the fact that your garden is not like mine, nor is my garden like my neighbors. I would assume that in order for a Horticulturist to make the best decision for companion planting in your garden would be for them to design the garden from the very beginning.
And I will also offer you this small peice of information...it doesn't matter who designs your garden or what type of a degree they have...you're going to have bugs in your garden. It's nature for heavens sake.
Therefore, my suggestion is to first prepare and maintain your garden site as I have outlined in my book Simple Gardens Exposed. This process alone will cut the bad bugs and disease in your garden by at least 50%. Then I would suggest Integrated or companion planting. However, I don't feel that making a science out of the project is that important. The most important aspect of Integrated planting is to just MIX IT UP!
One tip that I will give you is to plant Garlic. Plant lots of Garlic everywhere. Plant it among your lettuce, cabbage, beets, corn etc. Don't be shy about it. If you don't the stuff, then give it to your neighbors and friends, but grow it. Garlic is a very strong smelling plant and their aren't many critters that like it. And the ones that do usually are under the soil. Garlic is not so much of a bug repellant as it is a cover-up. It's odor is so strong and far reaching that the bugs receptors will smell only Garlic instead of your lettuce. So plant lots of Garlic and send the bugs over to your neighbors garden.
I could spend probably two or three pages telling you which plants to plant next to your carrots and beans, and another two or three pages telling you what I don't know about what to plant next to where. Much of what scientist tell us is factuall, but the rest of it...I think the jury is still out.
I am all about simplicity in the garden. That's why I wrote my books. Why complicate what nature does so easily. Therefore, here is my very simple suggestion to companion planting. JUST MIX IT UP! Don't just plant a single row of anything. Start with some lettuce, then plant some carrots and then Garlic, then plant some herbs and so on and so on.
Plant lots of flowers in you gardens. Plant them every where. Don't go just helter scelter and throw the seeds in your garden like your feeding the chickens. You want a neat and organized garden, but inter-plant the flower among all the fruits and veggies. Just a few of the flower I like to plant in my garden is Coneflower,asylum,daisy,goldenrod and cosmos. These are anuals that attract butterflys and bees. Just make sure that they are anuals.
So naturalize your garden. Create an ecosystem that more closely immitates nature. If you have ever gone into an area that is relatively untouched by man; you will see that there is a few trees, some grasses, some flowers, bushes and etc. Nature just mixes it up.
You know that your garden is going to attract some bad bugs, but some of those flowers are going to attract some of the good bugs. And; of course, some of the good bugs eat the bad bugs and then your going to attract some birds also, and they are going to eat a few of the good bugs. What have you created?...harmony. Nothing seems to get out of control.
Plant lots of herbs. It doesn't matter if you like them or not...plant them and let some of them go to flower. This will attract a tremendous amount of good bugs. Bugs that will help pollinate your garden.
Don't get all tied up in knots about what to plant where, or what to plant next to what. In mixing up your garden in this manner, you will have a much healthier garden and you will have created a patch of ground that well resemble a miniature eden that you will love to work in.Read more!
Many plants have natural substances in their roots, flower and leaves that can repel or attract insects. The trick; of course, is to know which plants will do the attracting and which ones will do the repelling. This is a science that Herbalist and Horticulturist have been studying for centuries and in my opinion...they have only just scratched the surface.Probably the best study of this is nature itself. It appears that when God sits things in order, they seem to work in perfect harmony. However, when man steps in and thinks he can do a better job is when that harmony seems to blow up in our face.
Therefore, in my opinion, what we need to do is copy or duplicate nature and they way she sits things in order. Our ecosystem works on the process of integration where ever we go. So what we need to do is to incorporate this same philosophy into our own gardens.
It is not for me or even a horticulturists to say what is best for your little plot of land that you call your garden. The main reason is because of the fact that your garden is not like mine, nor is my garden like my neighbors. I would assume that in order for a Horticulturist to make the best decision for companion planting in your garden would be for them to design the garden from the very beginning.
And I will also offer you this small peice of information...it doesn't matter who designs your garden or what type of a degree they have...you're going to have bugs in your garden. It's nature for heavens sake.
Therefore, my suggestion is to first prepare and maintain your garden site as I have outlined in my book Simple Gardens Exposed. This process alone will cut the bad bugs and disease in your garden by at least 50%. Then I would suggest Integrated or companion planting. However, I don't feel that making a science out of the project is that important. The most important aspect of Integrated planting is to just MIX IT UP!
One tip that I will give you is to plant Garlic. Plant lots of Garlic everywhere. Plant it among your lettuce, cabbage, beets, corn etc. Don't be shy about it. If you don't the stuff, then give it to your neighbors and friends, but grow it. Garlic is a very strong smelling plant and their aren't many critters that like it. And the ones that do usually are under the soil. Garlic is not so much of a bug repellant as it is a cover-up. It's odor is so strong and far reaching that the bugs receptors will smell only Garlic instead of your lettuce. So plant lots of Garlic and send the bugs over to your neighbors garden.
I could spend probably two or three pages telling you which plants to plant next to your carrots and beans, and another two or three pages telling you what I don't know about what to plant next to where. Much of what scientist tell us is factuall, but the rest of it...I think the jury is still out.
I am all about simplicity in the garden. That's why I wrote my books. Why complicate what nature does so easily. Therefore, here is my very simple suggestion to companion planting. JUST MIX IT UP! Don't just plant a single row of anything. Start with some lettuce, then plant some carrots and then Garlic, then plant some herbs and so on and so on.
Plant lots of flowers in you gardens. Plant them every where. Don't go just helter scelter and throw the seeds in your garden like your feeding the chickens. You want a neat and organized garden, but inter-plant the flower among all the fruits and veggies. Just a few of the flower I like to plant in my garden is Coneflower,asylum,daisy,goldenrod and cosmos. These are anuals that attract butterflys and bees. Just make sure that they are anuals.
So naturalize your garden. Create an ecosystem that more closely immitates nature. If you have ever gone into an area that is relatively untouched by man; you will see that there is a few trees, some grasses, some flowers, bushes and etc. Nature just mixes it up.
You know that your garden is going to attract some bad bugs, but some of those flowers are going to attract some of the good bugs. And; of course, some of the good bugs eat the bad bugs and then your going to attract some birds also, and they are going to eat a few of the good bugs. What have you created?...harmony. Nothing seems to get out of control.
Plant lots of herbs. It doesn't matter if you like them or not...plant them and let some of them go to flower. This will attract a tremendous amount of good bugs. Bugs that will help pollinate your garden.
Don't get all tied up in knots about what to plant where, or what to plant next to what. In mixing up your garden in this manner, you will have a much healthier garden and you will have created a patch of ground that well resemble a miniature eden that you will love to work in.Read more!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy for http://www.simplegardensexposed.blogspot.com
If you require any more information or have any questions about our privacy policy, please feel free to contact us by email at simplegardens121@gmail.com.
At http://www.simplegardensexposed.blogspot.com, the privacy of our visitors is of extreme importance to us. This privacy policy document outlines the types of personal information is received and collected by http://www.simplegardensexposed.blogspot.com and how it is used.
Log Files
Like many other Web sites, http://www.simplegardensexposed.blogspot.com makes use of log files. The information inside the log files includes internet protocol ( IP ) addresses, type of browser, Internet Service Provider ( ISP ), date/time stamp, referring/exit pages, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer the site, track user’s movement around the site, and gather demographic information. IP addresses, and other such information are not linked to any information that is personally identifiable.
Cookies and Web Beacons
http://www.simplegardensexposed.blogspot.com does use cookies to store information about visitors preferences, record user-specific information on which pages the user access or visit, customize Web page content based on visitors browser type or other information that the visitor sends via their browser.
DoubleClick DART Cookie
.:: Google, as a third party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on http://www.simplegardensexposed.blogspot.com.
.:: Google's use of the DART cookie enables it to serve ads to users based on their visit to http://www.simplegardensexposed.blogspot.com and other sites on the Internet.
.:: Users may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google ad and content network privacy policy at the following URL - http://www.google.com/privacy_ads.html
Some of our advertising partners may use cookies and web beacons on our site. Our advertising partners include ....
Google Adsense
These third-party ad servers or ad networks use technology to the advertisements and links that appear on http://www.simplegardensexposed.blogspot.com send directly to your browsers. They automatically receive your IP address when this occurs. Other technologies ( such as cookies, JavaScript, or Web Beacons ) may also be used by the third-party ad networks to measure the effectiveness of their advertisements and / or to personalize the advertising content that you see.
http://www.simplegardensexposed.blogspot.com has no access to or control over these cookies that are used by third-party advertisers.
You should consult the respective privacy policies of these third-party ad servers for more detailed information on their practices as well as for instructions about how to opt-out of certain practices. http://www.simplegardensexposed.blogspot.com's privacy policy does not apply to, and we cannot control the activities of, such other advertisers or web sites.
If you wish to disable cookies, you may do so through your individual browser options. More detailed information about cookie management with specific web browsers can be found at the browsers' respective websites.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read more!
Privacy Policy for http://www.simplegardensexposed.blogspot.com
If you require any more information or have any questions about our privacy policy, please feel free to contact us by email at simplegardens121@gmail.com.
At http://www.simplegardensexposed.blogspot.com, the privacy of our visitors is of extreme importance to us. This privacy policy document outlines the types of personal information is received and collected by http://www.simplegardensexposed.blogspot.com and how it is used.
Log Files
Like many other Web sites, http://www.simplegardensexposed.blogspot.com makes use of log files. The information inside the log files includes internet protocol ( IP ) addresses, type of browser, Internet Service Provider ( ISP ), date/time stamp, referring/exit pages, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer the site, track user’s movement around the site, and gather demographic information. IP addresses, and other such information are not linked to any information that is personally identifiable.
Cookies and Web Beacons
http://www.simplegardensexposed.blogspot.com does use cookies to store information about visitors preferences, record user-specific information on which pages the user access or visit, customize Web page content based on visitors browser type or other information that the visitor sends via their browser.
DoubleClick DART Cookie
.:: Google, as a third party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on http://www.simplegardensexposed.blogspot.com.
.:: Google's use of the DART cookie enables it to serve ads to users based on their visit to http://www.simplegardensexposed.blogspot.com and other sites on the Internet.
.:: Users may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google ad and content network privacy policy at the following URL - http://www.google.com/privacy_ads.html
Some of our advertising partners may use cookies and web beacons on our site. Our advertising partners include ....
Google Adsense
These third-party ad servers or ad networks use technology to the advertisements and links that appear on http://www.simplegardensexposed.blogspot.com send directly to your browsers. They automatically receive your IP address when this occurs. Other technologies ( such as cookies, JavaScript, or Web Beacons ) may also be used by the third-party ad networks to measure the effectiveness of their advertisements and / or to personalize the advertising content that you see.
http://www.simplegardensexposed.blogspot.com has no access to or control over these cookies that are used by third-party advertisers.
You should consult the respective privacy policies of these third-party ad servers for more detailed information on their practices as well as for instructions about how to opt-out of certain practices. http://www.simplegardensexposed.blogspot.com's privacy policy does not apply to, and we cannot control the activities of, such other advertisers or web sites.
If you wish to disable cookies, you may do so through your individual browser options. More detailed information about cookie management with specific web browsers can be found at the browsers' respective websites.
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Read more!
Produce Tips:
I know that this is a gardening blog; however, I don't think it would be quite fair to keep 30 years as a produce man and what I've learned about fruits and veggies a secret.
We live in a time where science seems to be more to the forefront than common sense.
Not that science is so bad...it's just not great when it comes to our food.
In this day and age, most of the Produce we eat from our local markets is what I call "Forced Grown". Scientist say that our top soil has been depleted and now we face a situation where products can't receive the necessary nutrients they need to produce on their own. You can read a very interesting story on this fact at : http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/348200_dirt22.html?source=mypi I won't get into all the science of soil, but just know that we need it in agriculture. My point on the subject is that the nutrition that we would normally receive from the market fruits and vegetables is being depleted in our foods along with the soil. Therefore in order for the large crop growers to continue to grow our food on the same ground year after year...it has to be fed chemical fertilizers in order to produce. Many folks think that the chemicals can be washed off and that it's alright to consume. And I am here to report that some of it can be. But remember that the chemicals are placed in the soil as well as on the Produce, so getting rid of all the chemicals in your food you might say is "fruitless".
However, I do offer you this one tip in purchasing Produce at your local grocery store. Bring it home and wash it before you put it away or consume it. You don't have to buy those expensive Produce Wash products either. Just run a sink full of very luke -warm water and a small amount of dish soap. This will work every bit as well as some of those expensive products on the market. Don't take for granted that everything has been washed at the packers. Just think of how many people has touched that Red Delicious Apple before you picked it up for purchase. If even only five people handled it before you purchased it...you also have purchased their little germs. And the added benefit is that your veggies will last a little longer in the fridge because you have re-hydrated them. Have a nice day!
Read more!
Simply Growing Garlic for the Home
As a Farmer raising Garlic on a commercial basis for years...I had to develope ways in which to cut time and labor. Simply Growing Garlic is a guide that will simplify your preparation of the soil, Garlic planting and a special tip on how to maximize the size of your Garlic. You can find it at http://www.simplegardensexposed.com
Read more!
Drip Irrigation Made Simple
A fully illustrated step-by-step guide that will enable you to build your own Drip Irrigation System for less than half the cost of similar systems. Utilizing Drip Irrigation in your garden will save hundreds of gallons of water, save you hundreds of dollars in water bills and cut weed growth and disease by more than 50%. Read about it here:
Read more!
In answer to Linda's request for books
This is the guide for the gardener who wishes to cut the labor in his garden by more than half.
If you want to greatly reduce or eliminate weeding, fertilizing and fighting so much disease, then read Simple Gardens Exposed.
http://www.simplegardensexposed.com/Read more!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
The Simple Way to Grow the Potato
Now is the time to think about planting Potatoes. It would be a good idea to look into your region and see when is the best time to plant. However, the emphasis here is not when to plant, but to be ready when it is time to plant.
What you will want to concentrate on right now is making sure that you have the starts. You can either wait and pick up the starts at a nursery or feed store, or you can buy up some Potatoes' from your local grocery store and put them away in the garage or basement until it's time to plant. Just leave them alone and let them sprout. This could take a while, so buy them NOW and be ready. Now for the simple way to grow the Potatoe. Find some old straw. It really doesn't matter what kind...just make sure it's older.
When it's time to plant; take that straw out to the garden and lay down a bed of straw about 4" deep where your intended Potatoe row or rows are going to be in the garden. Next step is to cut your sprouted Potatoes into 2-4 peices and then place them on top of the straw with spacing of about 10-12" apart. After you have laid down all of your starts, then cover them up with about 6" of that same old straw. Don't forget to use Drip Irrigation for watering.
Now just walk away until it's time for havesting. It won't be long before you will see the plants start to push up through that straw. When you are ready to harvest; just pull back the straw and most of the Potatoes will be laying on the surface of the straw that you planted them on and they will be nice and clean and easy to pickup. You don't have to dig them up. HOW SIMPLE IS THATRead more!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Inspire to Garden
Inspire to Garden
Inspiration comes to us in many forms. A pastor might inspire you to live closer to God. Someone who is trying to sell you a diet pill will show you before pictures of a woman when she was over-weight and then an after pictures of when she lost the weight. We get inspired in many different ways. We see our food being contaminated with Ecoli, salmonella, botulism or any other type of disease and feel the government should be doing a better job of protecting our food. And I will certainly agree that protecting our food should be a priority. So if I could offer a little bit of inspiration to you.
Grow your own garden and you will have control of those diseases'. Grow your own garden and save yourself lots of money. Grow your own garden and get more nutrition from the foods you eat. Inspire your entire family to get involved. Your children will learn more responsibility; they will be better nourished and if you grow a little extra...help feed a community in need. Grow a garden and feel better because of it.
Read this article: http://www.no-dig-vegetablegarden.com/vegetable-nutrition.html
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