Gardening Archives - Imperfectly Happy Homesteading

How to Have an Amazing Backyard Vegetable Garden

April 30, 2018 by Tiffany Davis 1 Comment

An amazing backyard vegetable garden may be easier than you think! No matter the space you have available, you can be growing your own food and supplement (or replacing) your produce shopping. Whether you have a few pots on an apartment porch or a 1/4 acres available, it is time to grow a backyard vegetable garden.

So whether you’re hoping to be completely self-sufficient or just grow your own tomatoes, I have tips you can use today!

How to Have an Amazing Backyard Vegetable Garden

Soil – The Foundation of an Amazing Backyard Vegetable Garden

Soil really is the foundation of a great garden. If you are not sure where to start, that’s ok, I have you covered. You can make your own compost, amend the soil you have or even create awesome potting soil.

DIY Soil Mix – great for pots, raised beds and containers
Awesome Soil Amendments – What you can add to your organic garden for a superior soil.
How to Compost 101 – listen to this podcast from a master composter.
How to Use Orange Peels for a Better Garden – Don’t toss those orange peels!
Recycling Coffee Grounds in the Garden – You don’t need to toss those used grounds.
Kitchen Composting – Tips for your counter top compost.
Troubleshooting Your Compost Problems – Figure out what’s causing the problem and how to fix it.
10 Things You NEVER Want to Compost – A good list to follow.
How to Use Rabbit Poop as Fertilizer – let me give you the scoop and poop.
Improve Soil Without a Compost Pile – No room to compost? Check out these tips for improving your soil without a compost pile.
Cheap & Easy DIY Compost Bin – Make it yourself for a fraction of the store bought one.

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Everything You Need to Know About Growing Corn in Your Backyard

April 7, 2018 by Tiffany Davis 3 Comments

Growing corn is great and it doesn’t have to be complicated. You can start growing corn in your backyard garden this year! Today I’m going to give you the tips and information you need so you’ll have an amazing corn harvest from your garden.

Growing Corn in Your Backyard Everything You Need to Know.

Everything You Need to Know About Growing Corn

I’ve been asked a lot about growing corn and I’m not really sure what this vegetable seems to intimidate some gardeners. Growing corn isn’t complicated, you jut need a bit of knowledge and space to start your rows of corn goodness!…

Garden in January How to Get Ready for Spring

January 11, 2018 by Tiffany Davis 1 Comment

Garden in January and you’ll be ready for an awesome spring garden. I know many of you are covered in snow and/or ice right now; so the last thing you’re thinking about is gardening. But there is a lot you can do, indoors, to prepare for the best spring garden ever!

Garden in January with these 7 tips; do them all or focus on one or two to get you ahead of the game for spring. I know that a winter garden isn’t possible for everyone and you may be really missing your time outdoors. I hope these activities and tips make you feel a little more connected to your garden while you wait for warmer temps to come again. Happy Gardening!

Garden in January How to Get Ready for Spring…

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How to Build a Cold Frame

October 12, 2017 by Tiffany Davis 2 Comments

Do you want to continue growing your herbs and vegetables through winter? I do and I use a cold frame to protect plants from winter. Cold frames provide my plants with shelter from cold temperatures, ice, snow and even strong winds.

A cold frame is a simple bottomless box with windows facing the sky. It is a smaller version of a greenhouse. Cold frames are built about a foot or two from the ground and are set over a group of plants. A transparent window or roof is on its top to allow light to get to the plants.

You can buy a cold frame but you can build your own from leftover wooden pallets, bricks or salvaged window frames. Let me show you how to build a cold frame using wood for the frame and an old window frame for the roof.

How to Build a Cold Frame

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14 Vegetables You Can Grow Indoors in the Fall and Winter

September 21, 2017 by Tiffany Davis 2 Comments

If you love gardening but your weather doesn’t allow for it in the fall or winter you’re going to love this list. Even if you’re an apartment dweller looking to grow a few fresh veggies; these are vegetables you can grow indoors in the fall and winter. You can also grow herbs indoors, see How to Grow 8 Awesome Herbs Indoors All Year Long.

Requirements for growing indoors. You’ll need a window that offers 4 – 6 hours of consistent sunlight. If that isn’t possible then you can invest in some grow lights to make sure your vegetables get enough light for growth.

Vegetables You Can Grow Indoors