Innovating Organic Gardening

Grow Lettuce at Home – Seeding & Amazing Spring Varieties

🌱 Ready to dive into the world of homegrown lettuce? 🌿

As an organic gardener, you understand the importance of fresh, pesticide-free produce.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the art of seeding lettuce directly in your garden 🏡 and unveil some incredible spring varieties that will elevate your salads to new heights of flavor and nutrition.

Let’s empower ourselves to take control of our food supply and cultivate a vibrant, sustainable garden together! 💪

Three Ways to Grow Lettuce at Home

There are three ways to plant lettuce in spring and they all have their virtues and potential pitfalls.

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Starting Indoors

This is the best way to get a faster spring lettuce harvest. You have dozens of varieties to choose from – see below for suggestions 😀.

Depending on your planting zone, you may have already planted lettuces indoors like I have here in zone 7. Yet in zone 4, it is now time to start these tasty greens inside.

By starting indoors you get good sized transplants to put in your garden, so you get lettuce sooner than direct seeding.

Did you know that lettuce, once hardened off (see my last post on hardening off) can take temperatures down to 24F / -4C ? You will want to give your little lovelies a good straw mulch to keep them cozy.

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Direct Seeding – Succession Plant Lettuce

If you still want to have the huge selection of varieties you manifest from starting from seed, and missed the time to start indoors, or don’t have indoor seed starting set-up yet, then direct seeding works too!

You won’t get large lettuce head as fast, but you still get an expanded selection of varieties to choose from.

You can choose organic or biodynamic selections and guy from a variety of companies to create an amazing show-stopping display that is a feast for the eyes and well and yummy and nourishing.

Before you start seeding, consider how much space you have in total to grow lettuce. Then divine it in thirds – this does not have to be exact!

Plant one third of your lettuce growing area when the soil has warmed to 40F / 4C. Then two weeks later, plant the second third of your lettuce growing area. Two weeks after that, plant your last third. This is called succession planting.

By succession planting your lettuce you get a continual harvest over a longer more weeks, vs all of your seedlings being ready to harvest all at once.

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Buying Plants

You can look for transplants in your local garden center or big box store. This is my absolute last resort as if you can even find them, the selection tends to be very limited and tends to not be organic.

If you know a local organic grower, or small farm, you may be able to get seedlings from them. It is worth asking, plus you could be supporting a small local farm, either by purchasing plants from them, or perhaps getting a few starts in exchange for volunteering your time.

Debby’s Recommended Spring Lettuce Varieties

In the next section, I’ll unveil a small selection of my tried-and-true spring lettuce varieties that are perfect for your home garden. From crisp romaine to delicate butterhead, these varieties promise to add a burst of freshness to your salads. 🥗

Debby Ward, Professional Organic Gardener, Coach, Instructor, Speaker

To date, I have grown about 90 varieties of lettuce. This is why I am called, in some circles, the “Lettuce Lady”. Some have remained on my “grow list” 🌱 for decades, some are newer bred varieties that are wonderous.

Home grown Romaines, Leaf, Crispheads and Butterheads Varieties

Romaine Lettuce Varieties

Over the years I have become more of a romaine lettuce lover. As with other lettuce varieties, you can have a choice of different sizes and colors.

Valamaine

An amazing green variety from Territorial Seed Company that does well almost all year here in zone 7. It can get large if you want a large romaine head, although you can also enjoy it as a smaller head. Valamaine has become my favorite go-to green romaine.

Spotted Aleppo

I wish more folks carried this variety which far outshines Forellenschluse (also known as Freckles and Flashy Trout’s back) in terms of germination rate and taste. It is also a bit more heat tolerate which is great of you get a snap spring warm spell. Nice large green heads with light red specks. Seeds from Monticello.

Mayan Jaguar

Want even more wow in your garden, then grow Mayan Jaguar. This little beauty always turns heads in the garden with deeper green and deeper red speckles than Spotted Aleppo. It is also great if you like smaller sized romaine heads as it is a smaller variety, so can be planted closer together. Get it from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange.

Rouge d’Hiver

This pretty bi-color has stayed on my growing list for over three decades because it is a trusted French classic. It won’t like a warm spell as much as the other three on this list – which seems so short compared to what I grow. 😂 Botanical Interests has this one.

Leaf Lettuce Varieties

When I first started growing allot of lettuce, I tended to grow lots of leaf lettuce because I could pick the outer leaves, have the plant keep growing and get more lettuce per plant.

These days, with so much coming and going in the garden all year, and my love of head lettuce, I find I don’t grow as many types, but some lift the spirit with their varied leaf shapes.

Red Sails

This variety is like a comfy old friend in my garden. Perhaps the first leaf lettuce I ever grew. It’s classic frilly lightly pink ends over light green leaves seem timeless, yet always transform my lettuce bed into something lovely. Another one from Territorial Seeds.

Waldman’s Dark Green

My go-to cool spring green leaf lettuce for many years. Once the standard for taste for leave lettuce, large growers have turned to more recent hybrid creations. For us home growers, this one is a must for its juicy deep green leaves that simply dance with luscious lettuce flavor. Get it from High Mowing Organic Seeds.

Bijella – Photo of young seedlings

A new favorite from Adaptive Seeds. Only a couple of years ago I decided to try this one and wowza! 👍 So happy I did as it has become a must have in my leaf lettuce bed. A wavy red-bronze tipped oak leaf type, it is gorgeous and can handle a bit for heat of later spring. Tender leaves too.

Italienishcher

If you want allot of lettuce from one plant, then Italienischer is for you. Tall, upright with long pointy leaves that reach 18” high. You get allot of food from this one. Beautiful vibrant green leaves. Get it from Sow True Seed.

You may have noticed that I buy seeds from several different seed companies as an organic gardener.

I have developed 15 criteria I used to vet a seed company. Get it free below. Then get more lettuce varieties.

Crisp Head Lettuce Varieties

Iceberg lettuce is a crisp head lettuce type. Some people think “iceberg” lettuce has no nutrition or is boring, but folks, neither is the case with these cherished crisp heads.

What many folks don’t’ know is how many varieties of these crisp-head types there are, so allow me to introduce you to some, perhaps new-to-you ones.

Salade de Russie

Hands down my favorite crisphead lettuce, not only because it is downright stunning with its red specks, but it also grows in all but the hottest time of year (when all lettuces give up) and tastes fantastic. It has become a must have in my garden. Another from Adaptive Seeds.

Reine de Glace, or Ice Queen

This is another lettuce I have grown for decades because it is just so darn tasty. Classic French green iceberg type that is best grown in cool spring weather. You’ll get that refreshing crisp crunch that many crave. Get it from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.

Cardinale

Here is a beautiful bi-color that has hardy thick leaves. Several years ago I tried this on a lark as a new variety I was trying as I was testing a potential new seed company for my recommended seed company list. It turned out to fill a spot in my crisp head lettuce bed I didn’t know was missing. More heat tolerant and colorful. Now I get it from Fedco Seeds.

Butterhead Lettuce Varieties

Oh, the soft almost creamy tender leaves of the butter lettuces. Very hard to find commercially, and usually hydroponically grown in water laced with chemicals, I love growing these.

They don’t tend to handle heat well, so are spring and fall grown only. This is part of why they are my most cherished lettuces to grow. The other reason is they are just remarkable to eat.

Here are four for my spring lettuce list.

Buttercrunch

Years ago I grew this one and then it sort of faded away as I tried other varieties, then one year, I came across it again and remembered why is a variety grown by so many people. Soft, green and true to its class, buttery, yet with a little crunch too. Oh so good, from Botanical Interests.

Tom Thumb

Want a small single salad butterhead? Maybe one for small spaces, or close planting. They try Tom Thumb. This bright green mini butterhead like the cool weather, so better for cool spring times. Try it from Fedco Seeds.

Alkindus

I confess, that although I love the look of red lettuces, I don’t tend to prefer the flavor of many of them. They also have tended to succumb to heat and go bitter faster. When I tried Alkindus I was pleasantly surprised. It has the sweetness of green butter lettuces, but with gorgeous garnet outer leaves. High Mowing Organic Seeds is where I get it.

Pirat

I might have saved the best for last. If you want an outstanding butterhead, with excellent flavor, some heat tolerance – rare in a butter lettuce – and pretty in your garden sanctuary – go for Pirat. Is it my favorite lettuce – too many to choose just one, but this one is up there. From High Mowing Organic Seeds.

Ah, looking forward to my lettuce harvest.

Join my email list below to get more organic gardening tips and recommended varieties all year.

How to Harden off Seedlings for Spring Crops

Debby WardLeave a comment

As temperatures warm up, crocus and daffodils lift themselves toward the sun, for those who have started seedlings indoors, the question often comes, now what?

Lettuce and brassica seedlings hardening off on a cool spring morning

What does it mean to harden off before transplanting?

This question comes up often this time of year.

Hardening off is literally hardening your seedling up to be ready to be out in the big outside world of your garden.

Like human babies, they have been nurtured indoors and kept in safe, protected spaces. Also, like human babies, you don’t lay them out on a blanket in full sun without protection and leave them there to fend for themselves.

Hardening off seedling fosters your seedling so they are able to withstand…

Full sun, which is way stronger than your grow lights.
Heavy rains that could batter and destroy young leaves.
High winds that can rip tender leaves.

For us gardeners, hardening off a seedlings is a quicker process than raising children.

Can I Harden off seedlings quickly?

Generally, the process takes two weeks, or less.

My students have often heard me say it can be the most time-consuming part of starting seeds indoors yourself. But, don’t despair, it is not hard and you can do it around your work schedule.

You might ask, can I skip this step? Of course you can, but you are taking a risk of your seedlings dying, and why would you want to do that when you took the time to start them indoors?

Before you transplant the seedlings you started indoors, harden them off so they can thrive in your garden.

The hardening off process tends to take less time for spring crops than for summer ones. For this post, I am concentrating on spring crops, I can address, summer, fall and winter crops in later posts.

That said, the general idea is the same.

The first consideration is how different is it outside than inside. The bigger the temperature and light difference, the longer it takes to harden off your seedlings.

How long it takes depends on these differences or similarities.

How to Harden off Seedlings Before Planting

Seedlings on shelves protected from intense weather

Remember that outdoor full sun is very different from indoor lights of any kind. It is much stronger. Yet, in spring the sun is still lower in the sky, therefore the sun is not as intense as it is in the long hot days of summer.

Steps for hardening off spring crops:

Start by putting your spring seedlings; such as lettuce, kale, cabbage and broccoli 🥦, outdoors in shade, or on a cloudy day for four hours.

Gradually give your seedlings full sun. Start with one or two hours. The cooler the temps, the longs they can take full sun.

Over a week or two, allow them to have more full sun a couple of hours a day.

Top tips for hardening off your seedlings

💦Be sure they are watered well as they will take up more water as they acclimate to their new environment.

❄️Remember, spring crops like it cool, not hot, so tend to like cool spring nights. If you have nighttime temperatures in the 40s, you could leave them outside in a protected area.

🌧💨Don’t leave your seedlings exposed to heavy winds or rains. Keep them either inside on those days, or keep them outside protected.

🦌If you have critters around who might want to eat your plants, harden them off where critters can’t get to them.

⌛If you work off-site full time. Check the weather before you leave in the morning to decide where you can safely leave your seedlings while you are gone.

Tips to Overcome the Fear of Vegetable Garden Failures

Debby WardLeave a comment

🌿 Let’s talk about the one thing that’s universal in gardening: the fear of failures. Trust me, I’ve been there.

Every year, something in our gardens might not go as planned. But here’s the magical part: it’s all part of the journey toward organic success!

The thrill of watching those tiny seeds burst into life, the joy of nurturing them, and the anticipation of a bountiful harvest. 🌟 That’s the dream, right? But reality check: not everything will flourish equally, and that’s perfectly okay! 🌱

Why, you ask? Because each setback is a classroom, and each triumph is a celebration. The broccoli might be finicky this year, but oh boy, look at those tomatoes thrive! It’s a beautiful cycle of learning and growth.

I know it’s tough, with our climate throwing curveballs, it’s easy to worry about our garden’s fate.

But here’s a secret: those seeds? They want to grow. They crave the soil, the sunlight, and water. 🌞 And when you trust in their natural desire to thrive, suddenly, those fears start to fade away.

Marigolds, buckwheat and millet in a backyard garden

Begin to embrace the uncertainty, dear gardener! 🌿🌼 Think of it as a transformative adventure with nature, where surprises are blessings in disguise. Keep nurturing, keep learning, and watch your garden surprise you with its resilience.

Here are my top 5 ways to overcome vegetable garden failures:

💫Embrace Change: Every year is different these days and this is challenging for all us humans who like things to be more predictable. Thing is, nothing in life is really predictable – this is likely why we crave it sometimes.

If we shift our point-of-view from one of fear of what might happen this year, to lets experiment and see what awesome things happen, then we can lessen the stress.

Remember each year in your garden will likely be different, embrace it, and if you shift with those changes you’ll be a more resilient gardener.

🌿Replace for Rejuvenation: There are times when something we plant just does lousy. Instead of being bummed and trying to nurture what is beyond hope of rejuvenation, replace it with another plant.

Decide if the plant is salvageable. If it is diseased or has a bug predation, then nope, I’d ditch it.

If it simply is not in a good spot, not growing or producing, even if you add a bit of compost around it, then well, replacement is likely the best option.

With the plant that is not doing well, you can compost it, if isn’t diseased or full of bugs. If it is, ditch it.

Either way, when you replace a plant, you rejuvenate your garden, which in turn can rejuvenate you. 😀

🌱 Growth Gratitude: Life is full of lessons and they grow us as a person. When something doesn’t go the way you want it too, a plant doesn’t produce, an experiment you tried felt like a failure, instead of the sense of failure, transform it into a lesson of gratitude. It is one more lesson you can avoid in the future.

By practicing gratitude for our growth lessons, we evolve a way to nourish ourselves.

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😂 Remember to Laugh: Are you someone who laughs allot? I confess I don’t think I laugh enough sometimes, yet when I laugh at something I’ve done, bring humor into a situation, it just doesn’t seem to bad.

A story of how this works: I remember a day when I seeded tomatoes and forgot to label them.

I was distracted and I knew they were tomatoes, but which ones? Could have been one of 30 varieties.

It wasn’t until a couple weeks later when I was doing inventory of my seedlings that I discovered my mistake. It was a whole flat of healthy happy tomato seedlings of unknown variety.

All the varieties I had planned to start were accounted for, something got seeded more than once.

After an initial “oh crap!” I laughed and offered them as “Mystery tomatoes” and people thought it was fun.

It also gave me a story to pass on to my students on the importance of labeling your seedlings well.

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🔐 Unlock support: If you’re feeling the fear of some aspect of your organic garden’s journey, let’s chat! 📞 Book a free 15-minute organic garden discovery call with me, Debby Ward, your professional organic coach.

Let’s turn those uncertainties into opportunities for an awe-inspiring garden transformation! 🌿✨

Discover the Magic of Building Healthy Living Soil

Debby WardLeave a comment

Elevate Your Garden’s Potential.

Imagine stepping into your garden and witnessing a vibrant paradise of lush, thriving plants.

Vegetable Fruit and Flower Garden Landscape

The secret?

It all begins beneath the surface, in the rich vibrancy of your soil.

As a professional organic gardener, I’ve witnessed the transformational magic of healthy living soil time and time again. 🌿

Did you know there is more life in living soil than in a coral reef?

Your garden is a reflection of your connection with the earth. Healthy living soil isn’t just dirt; it’s a living ecosystem teeming with vitality and potential. 🌎 It’s the soul of your garden, nurturing every seedling and sustaining every bloom.

But why is healthy living garden soil so crucial?

When we build organic soil, we’re honoring the intricate balance of nature.

A garden reliant on chemicals becomes a cycle of dependency. You pour in more chemicals to compensate for depleted nutrients, only to further degrade the soil’s vitality. It’s a costly loop that leaves your soil lifeless and your plants struggling to thrive.

Chemical-laden alternatives might seem convenient at first, but they come with a hefty price tag—both financially and environmentally. 💸

In addition, there are questions about the health and safety of all those garden chemicals. They have been linked to various health issues.

Considering all these negative factors, using garden chemicals is not worth the risks. Especially because …

There’s a better way!

Building healthy living soil means cultivating an ecosystem that works for you. It’s about harnessing the power of nature’s brilliance to create a self-sustaining haven for your plants. 🌿

Imagine planting seeds that flourish effortlessly, blossoming into robust, resilient plants without constant interventions or added expenses.

I’ve seen this transformation firsthand in countless gardens.

In fact the number one reason I see why people’s gardens are not thriving is because they have not care for their soil.

By nurturing organic, living soil, gardeners unlock a bounty of benefits:

🌱 Enhanced plant resilience against pests and diseases.

🌿 Improved water retention, reducing the need for constant watering.

🌎 Boosted nutrient levels, fostering nutrient-dense produce.

💧 Reduced environmental impact, supporting a healthier ecosystem.

Do you know what makes up healthy living garden soil?

Quality soil needs air and water to be a home for your plants.

Your soil is the foundation of your garden. We want strong foundations for our homes, so lets give our gardens a healthy foundation too.

I’ve put together an exclusive, free PDF guide: “What Makes Healthy Living Soil,” 👇 with expert tips to nurture your soil into a thriving haven for your plants. 📚

🌟Get your free PDF now 🌟 and start to witness the transformative power of healthy living soil in your garden.👇

“Healthy living soil grow plants for you.” – Debby Ward Professional Organic Gardener

Let’s grow vibrant, sustainable gardens from the ground up—starting with our soil.

Garden Planning: A Quick Gardener’s Guide to Trusting Your Inner Wisdom

Debby WardLeave a comment

Seating in a garden to do your garden planning.

🌿 Are you ready to transform your garden into an organic paradise but feeling a bit lost on your next steps?

Tap into your senses!

Garden Planning

Seeing Beyond the Surface: 🌺

Imagine an organic garden that mirrors your aspirations—a sanctuary teeming with life, thriving with organic abundance. The secret lies in truly **seeing** your property. It’s not just about the soil and the plants; it’s about grasping the unique nuances, the energy, and the potential that your space holds.

Trust Your Instincts: 🌟

You possess an innate wisdom that can guide your gardening decisions. Embrace it! 🌻 Trusting yourself means recognizing your instincts and letting them lead you to the right choices for planning your organic garden.

Don’t underestimate the power of your intuition in nurturing your plants and making the right organic choices.

Dispelling Gardening Fears: 🍃

Apprehensions and doubts can hold you back from realizing your garden’s true potential. But fear not! 🌿 By learning to observe your property and prioritizing your dreams for your garden, you can dispel these worries. Take the first step in confronting your fears—acknowledge them and watch as they dissolve.

Trusting Yourself: A Quick Gardener’s Guide 📝

Observe Intently: 🧐

Take time to study your garden, noticing its quirks and unique characteristics. Go beyond the use of your eyes to see what is happening, with the light, the water, the critters. See with your heart as well.

These observations will allow you to better plan your garden and what you want to see where, and maybe see things you never noticed before.

Listen to Nature: 👂🏼

Nature communicates in its way. Tune in and understand what your garden is telling you. Sit quietly and hear the trees and plants. Hear the bird song, simply listen without expectation or judgment.

Experiment with Wonder: 💫

Don’t be afraid to try new methods or plants. Embrace the learning process. Enjoy the wonder of your organic garden’s transformation and your illuminated wisdom in the process.

Seek Support:😃

If you have garden planning questions, doubts or concerns, ask me! As an organic gardening expert, I’m here to support your journey. 🌿 Trust in my experience and knowledge to guide you through this process.

Ready to unlock your organic garden potential?

Take the Free Quiz and receive your Free Gardener Insight Packet that matches your gardening style.

It’s time to let your inner gardener shine and create the garden of your dreams! 🌿✨

Unlocking Abundance: The Power of Yearly Garden Planning

Debby WardLeave a comment

Are you looking forward to your spring and summer garden, with it’s bounty of yummy edibles and joyous blooms?

Do you want to see your garden teeming with vibrancy, brimming with succulent produce, and blossoming with colors that enrich both your soul and your dinner plate.

This is the promise of meaningful yearly garden planning. It’s more than a mere boring task, it’s a strategic roadmap that propels your garden toward greatness like an orchestra in harmony with you as the conductor.

By embracing yearly garden planning, you harness the power of foresight. You lay the groundwork in advance, aligning the stars to create a harmonious ecosystem where plants thrive in synergy.

Say goodbye to the days of haphazard planting that yield – well- ??? If you welcome a structured approach that optimizes resources, space, and time – whether you consider yourself an “organizer” or “planner” or not, you manifest more from your garden.

I realize some of you are “not into planning”, so for you, I have created steps to simplify and shorten the process and make it fun and create.

For those who like to plan, embrace my system and manifest abundance in your garden.

Below are some yearly garden planning ideas, carefully lifted from my full planning process to get you started.

If you want to quicken the process and get my professional support, start with booking a short call here, or go to my website and message me from the contact page.

Yearly Garden Planning Tips

Maximized harvests: Plan out all four seasons at once. Things can change, but it gives me a plan for those days when I need a bit of clarity. Strategically time your plantings to ensure a continuous yield throughout the seasons.

Ecosystem balance: Encourage beneficial insects, and discourage pests, by planning your garden to be a self-sustaining thriving ecosystem. Diversity is the key here, have as many different types of veggies, fruit, flowers, and herbs, as you can fit into your garden spaces.

Conscious time management: By planning all four seasons in advance, you can look at your calendar, and consider what else is going on in your life to make strategic decisions about when to start seedlings, when to direct seed, and when to do any soil amending with mycorrhiza or when to do your biodynamic preparation sprays.

Again, here is that link to book a short free call so we can illuminate the next best step to your garden planning.

I look forward to hearing about your amazing garden ideas, Debby

Unveiling the Secrets of Revolutionary Garden Bed Design

Debby WardLeave a comment

Hello, fellow cultivators of nature’s bounty! 🌱

Lets uncover five top considerations that are at the heart of organic garden bed design.

As a long time gardener myself, I’ve uncovered the missing links that streamlines your efforts, elevating your green spaces into thriving havens of vitality and abundance.

Imagine a canvas where every stroke of your trowel brings forth a symphony of life, where simplicity intertwines with efficiency, giving birth to an ecosystem teeming with vibrant flora.

That’s the essence of my unique garden bed layout system – a groundbreaking – pun intended 😂 approach that unravels the complexities of organic gardening, empowering you to cultivate with joy and ease.

The brilliance lies in the intricate dance between plant species, soil, and creatures, where each one contributes its unique strengths to the collective vitality of the entire garden.

Through this system, we transcend conventional gardening wisdom, harnessing the natural tendencies of plants to coexist harmoniously and thrive together, all while enhancing soil health and reducing maintenance efforts.

Here are my top considerations for garden bed design that go beyond ensuring you have the right amount of light for each variety:

Crop Rotation: Ensure your soil remains the healthy vibrant foundation to your garden. Rotate your crops not only from bed-to-bed, but also from season-to-season, year-to-year.

Companion planting: Plants helping plants means you work less! Use this wonderful method to enhance plant growth and critter protection.

Seed saving: If you are a seed saver, planning your garden beds, including proper isolation distances and/or techniques will all to nurture the plants you want to save seed from.

Ease of access: Consider harvest time for each of your yummy veggies and beautiful flowers.

Beauty: Every garden becomes a sanctuary when all your beds are beautiful. When I design veggie beds, and assist others to design theirs, insuring the be looks amazing brings joy because beauty is food too,

Now, you might be wondering, how does this transform your gardening journey?

Well, it’s simple – it’s about efficacy, harmony, and yield. By incorporating this innovative approach to your garden bed design, you unlock the true potential of your green space, fostering a sanctuary where nature’s balance flourishes effortlessly.

Lets embark on this transformative journey together!

Book a 15-minute free discovery call today to discover your next best steps and unveil the secrets behind this clarifying garden bed layout system.

Let’s nurture a garden that not only sustains but inspires, fostering a vibrant ecosystem that echoes the beauty and harmony of nature itself. 🌿

Garden Planning Motives: Your Garden’s Personalized Transformation!

Debby WardLeave a comment

Picture this: a garden that not only flourishes but becomes your personal haven, where nature’s symphony orchestrates a beautiful harmony, tailored to your unique strengths and aspirations.

To manifest this wonderful sanctuary you envision, some planning is necessary. I realize some of you are excited by planning, and some, well, not so much.

As a seasoned gardener, my journey has been interwoven with an illuminating understanding of the profoundly positive impact garden planning has on creating the garden of your dreams, be it a small veggie patch, flower bed or your whole yard.

Three Motives for Garden Planning

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You don’t miss opportunities by doing a bit of garden planning.

I remember a couple who bought a house and put a shed where they thought it *should* go. Then the following year, when they want to put in some veggies and summer flowers, they realized they had built the shed in the sunniest part of their yard, so they were coming to me to see how to grow tomatoes in the shade!

Actualize your garden goals and dreams – on time.

New gardeners don’t tend to think about gardening until it is past time for the spring garden, to build garden beds or start seeds. This means they start their learning curve late, if they start at all.

And, just because seasoned gardeners know the schedule, that doesn’t mean they always make it – plus – I have found they tend to get in a rut with their garden, which begins degrading their garden over time, and minimized their yield.

You save money.

In case you don’t know, you spend way more money buying plants than if you start from seed, even with an initial investment in seed starting equipment.

In addition, trying to build a garden quickly to get in a summer garden, means you spend money on inputs like soil, than if you planned ahead and let nature do the work for you.

Garden Planning Styles Vary

Gardeners approach planning their annual vegetable garden differently.

Some meticulous plan everything to the smallest detail, while some grab a few plants from a parking-lot seller as an afterthought on their way back to the car. Most are somewhere in between.

I love planning my garden, but I have gardened long enough to know that some crops will fail every year, that some ideas turn out to be brilliant, some unexpected and some a disaster, which makes for a good lesson I can pass on to you.

Over the decades I have gardened, I have honed my garden planning into systems to simplify garden planning processes.

For those who love to plan, it quickens their process.

For those who don’t dig planning, it allows them a short-cut to start planning to actualize their garden goals and dreams.

First Step to Garden Planning

The first step in garden planning is observation, because it is here where you set the stage for the bounty that is to come.

Observe:

How much sun and shade you have in each area of your potential growing area.
If you have critters. Look for both those who might be helpful for your garden, such as pollinators, or harmful ones such as deer. (Unless you are going for a wildlife garden)
What is it that grows in your climate that you and your household like to eat.
The amount of time you have to garden. This allows you to make wise choices on how much space to garden in what way – annuals vs. perennials – containers vs. in-ground.

Imagine embarking on a journey where your garden becomes an extension of your being—a canvas for your creativity and a haven for tranquility.

What truly distinguishes my system is the fusion of creativity and precision. I possess the uncanny ability to dance between these two realms effortlessly. For you, this means the opportunity to have support in manifesting a garden that transcends the mundane, while being grounded in simple, tested systems that ensures your garden flourishes organically.

My support isn’t just about planting seeds; it’s about nurturing your dreams and empowering you with the tools to watch them bloom into vibrant realities.

Why Choose My Garden Planning System?

Illuminating Guidance: Personalized support that aligns with your unique strengths.
Artistic Vision: Assist you in manifesting gardens that reflect your unique style and approach.
Simplified Systems: Streamlined processes that make organic gardening a joyous endeavor.

Let’s embark on this journey together, where your garden becomes a testament to your inner creativity and a sanctuary of natural harmony.

Uncover amazing collaboration and take the leap toward an organic garden that not only thrives but becomes a living, breathing masterpiece—a reflection of your unique spirit and my innovative approach to organic gardening.

Book a 15-minute Free Discovery Call today, and let’s unveil the true potential of your organic garden.

Together, we’ll transform it into the oasis you’ve always envisioned. I’m here to guide, inspire, and witness your garden flourish into a testament of your organic journey.

Book Your 15 Minute Call Now

Look forward to talking with you soon!

Debby

Maximizing Garden Abundance: The Rationality and Economics of Indoor Seed Starting

Debby WardLeave a comment

In the aspiration of an abundant and thriving garden, indoor seed starting emerges as a pragmatic and economically viable approach.

It offers a myriad of benefits that cater to discerning organic gardeners like you.

By germinating seeds indoors, we embrace a fun time-honored method rooted in science and efficiency, optimizing the growth cycle and enhancing our return on investment (ROI) for our gardening endeavors.

Scientifically, indoor seed starting capitalizes on the principles of germination, leveraging controlled environments to provide the optimal conditions for seedling development.

This method harnesses psychological insights, recognizing the impact of environmental cues on plant growth.

Studies in cognitive science underline the importance of consistent stimuli for fostering robust growth, a phenomenon parallel to the controlled settings of indoor seed starting.

Furthermore, the economic advantages of indoor seed starting are important for most gardeners. Through the reduction of external dependencies on store-bought seedlings, economies of scale manifest themselves, enabling gardeners to maximize their yield at a fraction of the cost. 💰

This practice aligns with the principles of sustainability and fiscal prudence, offering a means to harness resources efficiently and reduce unnecessary expenditures, a sentiment cherished by every organic gardener.

This all translates to our opportunities:

To provide seedlings with ideal environments from which to grow and
Allows us to grow the varieties we want so we have
More diversity in our garden, both for our food harvests and the beauty of our flowers and
Saves us money.

Contrary voices may raise concerns regarding the initial investments in indoor seed starting setups, positing that the costs may outweigh the benefits. However, a comprehensive analysis reveals the long-term gains eclipsing these initial expenses, especially if you build a seed starting rack yourself.

The ability to nurture and monitor seedlings from their inception enables precision gardening, empowering gardeners to select the healthiest seedling for transplantation, ultimately contributing to the garden’s overall vitality.

It also often gives us the opportunity to gift 🎁 others in our community with any extra plants, thus building positive cooperative relationships.

The rationale behind indoor seed starting stands fortified by the amalgamation of scientific understanding, economic prudence, and sustainability consciousness.

For the organic gardener seeking to optimize yields and foster a flourishing garden, embracing indoor seed starting proves not only logical but also economically astute.

Plus, folks, it is a fun activity 😀 in winter to nurture your seedlings as they bring you the renewing joy of spring.

By delving into the scientific principles and economic sensibilities underpinning indoor seed starting for your spring and summer garden, gardeners can manifest a bountiful and gratifying harvest, underscoring the inherent value of this meticulous, strategic and empowering approach.

Illuminate Your Seed Starting with my Free Seed Starting Checklist.

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Understanding the Impact of Seed Companies on Your Organic Garden

Debby WardLeave a comment

In the thriving landscape of organic gardening, the selection of seed companies stands as a pivotal decision that profoundly influences the quality, diversity, and sustainability of your garden.

Choosing your seed provider shapes the future of not only your garden but also what seeds we have available.

Many years ago I started to realize that there were seed companies beyond the one that was in my local big box store.

As I began to gain knowledge of seeds companies and their differences, I embarked on extensive research into them.

There are different kinds of seed companies, I didn’t know that 40 years ago.

Understanding the nuances of seed quality and the philosophies upheld by different companies became essential for me as a gardener.

Scientific studies in fields like psychology and cognitive science consistently illustrate the link between the quality of inputs—seeds in this case—and the outputs—the crops harvested.

Delving into various providers empowers gardeners to make informed decisions that resonate with their values.

Consumer spending on seeds for home gardens in the United States showcases a substantial investment, reflecting the significance of this choice.

We, as gardeners get to shape the future of gardening by our choices.

This financial commitment underscores the responsibility to conscientiously select seed companies that align with one’s principles and aspirations.

As you likely know, the market is reactive; our choices drive the offerings made available to us. When we support ethical and diverse seed providers, we contribute to a richer pool of options, promoting biodiversity and resilience in our gardens.

Beyond the economic dimension, the choice of seed companies profoundly impacts your food supply.

By opting for reputable organic seed sources, individuals assume control over their sustenance, safeguarding against potential health hazards associated with pesticides and genetically modified organisms.

This proactive awareness not only fosters a more wholesome diet for you and your family, but also serves as a substantial savings of time and money, circumventing potential health issues.

It’s imperative to acknowledge dissenting opinions that argue against the gravity of seed company selection. Some may contend that all seeds, regardless of the source, will yield similar results if cultivated under identical conditions. While this argument carries weight, evidence highlights the importance of the variance in genetic diversity and the potential long-term consequences of monoculture practices, emphasizing the relevance of diversified seed sources.

And dear gardeners, there are some incredible folks out there breeding new varieties specifically for organic growers and considering our changing climate.

Going back to my research on seed companies.

What I found out was remarkable, sometimes scary and disheartening, sometimes uplifting and inspirational.

I uncovered some companies grow all their own seed, while others buy seed and redistribute it. Those companies are seed distributors.

Some companies spend lots of money on genetic modification of seeds and pass on those costs to the consumer.

Yet others source their seeds from small family farms.

Some live the ethics of organic growing and some only use it to attract customers but don’t enact sustainability and preservation for anything other than their financial bottom line.

The result of all this research was the creation of my creating 15 criteria to vet seed companies. I have used and taught these criteria for over 10 years to hundreds of people.

Get my FREE 15 Criteria to Vet Seed Companies below.

For each criteria you’ll find out what it is and why it matters.

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