If you are thinking about planning for your first Spring backyard garden...consider Raised Garden Beds.

 Don’t dig up your backyard; all you will be doing is bringing up the dormant weed seeds.  Also, the existing soil may be great for your lawn, but NOT necessarily good for starting an organic garden.

Consider using an above-ground container, such as a raised garden bed.  Just place it on top of your lawn.

SET IT, FILL IT, FEED IT AND HARVEST IT. 

There are many raised garden beds available in different shapes and sizes.  The materials used for the raised beds are also quite varied, such as composite materials, pressure treated lumber, railroad ties, rocks, bricks, used tires, and if you’re bold enough, commodes and so on…each have their advantages and disadvantages. 

Personally, if I were considering a raised garden bed, I would probably look for one that is portable.  It can be moved from one location to another without too much trouble.  Another consideration would be the material used in the raised bed.  If you are anticipating growing organic vegetables, most of the materials will be ruled out.  Best choice would be an organic, sustainable and environmentally friendly material, such as western red cedar.  It will last for years and the tannic acid in the cedar is not a friend to termites or other wood eating insects. 

 I would also want the raised garden bed to be visually appealing, not only will I be looking at it every day – so will my friends and neighbors.  Is it easy and quick to assemble?  I for one don’t want to spend too much time trying to figure out where bolt A, nail B and nut C are supposed to fit.  And I certainly don’t want any of the hardware to rust.  Oh, price!  Well, I have purchased many products in the past that were inexpensive (cheap), and it didn’t take me long to figure out that “You get what you pay for.”  

I have to take a break now to BUILD IT and SET IT.  I’ll share more later about the FILL IT and FEED IT.  Meanwhile, check out our website – http://www.carolinagardensystems.com – and please pass it on!    

Fertilizers...What do the numbers mean?

I for one, have always been perplexed about the numbers listed on the front of a bag of fertilizer.  I have tried to read the tiny print on the back of the bag and all it did was confuse me more...I felt like telling the bag "Hey, I don't have a degree in chemistry".

After some research, I found that it is not as complicated as it seems - it's quite simple.
The three numbers stand for N-P-K and that is Nitrogen, Phosophorous and Potassium, sometimes called Potash.  On a bag, these are represented by numbers, for example, 4-4-2, 10-10-10 or 12-15-20.
The numbers vary based on the proportions of N-P-K in a bag of fertilizer.

The N - Nitrogen
Stimulates top growth, stems, leaves and plant stalks.  It makes a plant greener, providing more foliage, color and density.  Nitrogen leaches from the soil quite rapidly, therefore it is necessary to apply it more frequently than the P or K.
The P - Phosophorous
Stimulates cell building and root growth.  It also helps seedlings develop and is beneficial in flower and fruit production.  Phosophorous is retained in the soil for a longer period, so it is not necessay to apply it as frequently as the N or K. 
The K - Potassium (Potash)
Assists plants in forming starches and proteins which promotes plant hardiness, disease resistance and a higher tolerance to drought and cold conditions.  Promotes general overall health for the plant.  The Potassium also leaches from the soil quickly.
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