How much mix do I need for the size of my bed?
A 4×4-foot bed that is 8 inches deep has a volume of 9.5 cubic feet. Here is how the 50/30/20 ratio works for that size bed:
50% COMPOST
The average small bag of compost is about 1.5 cubic feet, so you need 3.25 cubic feet of compost or about 3 bags.
30% PEAT MOSS
It comes in bales that expand when damp; a small bale yields about 3 cubic feet.
20% PERLITE
It comes in small or large bags, the smaller ones being about 1.5 cubic feet.
| 50% compost / 3.25 cu ft. | 1.5 cu ft. per bag | 3 bags |
| 30% peat moss / 3 cu ft. | 3 cu ft. per bale | 1 small bale |
| 20% perlite / 1.9 cu ft. | 1.5 cu ft. per bag | 1 small bag |
Tools to Make Things Easier
Not all gardeners are the same size or have the same mobility. For instance, women generally have smaller hands compared to men, but a lot of things can affect the ability of a gardener to grip well or bend over. Just as small children need special tools to help them work comfortably in the garden, so do seniors and those with medical issues that reduce the strength of a person’s grip. As the population overall has matured, the industry has started to address these issues and come out with ergonomic tools to make tilling and planting a little easier for us all.
Tools for kids: If you are going to spend time messing with plants, it is only natural that your children will want to help. This can be a healthy activity for them and using the right tools will help them feel productive. Look for small-radius hand tools, and if possible, check the grip while still in the store. Metal tools are better than plastic. A basic child’s set of tools will consist of a metal trowel to plant and a pair of clippers to harvest peppers or other produce that cannot be easily picked from the vine.
Tools for adults: For making a new raised bed, you will need to have a full-sized digging fork to turn over the soil in the bed each year. Also, be sure to have a spade for adding new compost and a rake to smooth out the garden before sowing seeds or planting out your seedlings. Before you purchase the spade at the store, make sure its size works for you. Check to see if your arms are at a comfortable height to be able to dig down into the soil. Although there are not too many options in sizes, there are some slightly smaller-handled spades, particularly useful if you are petite. And finally, you will need a trowel and clippers to plant seedlings and harvest.
Tools with grip adaptions: There are great tools available now for those who have wrist issues and/or poor grips or who want to avoid getting those problems. Ergonomically curved hand tools relieve stress on the wrist by allowing a straighter angle for digging. Right-angled hand tools make for easier holding as you dig or rake.
Care of tools: Unless you are digging in heavy clay soil on a wet day, your tools will likely not get too dirty, but you should keep them dirt-free. A quick wipe down with a damp cloth or lightly oiled cloth will keep them in order. At the end of the season, some 3-in-1-type machine oil will keep them clean for storage, particularly those with moving parts like clippers. Diseases are easily spread from one area of the garden to another, so always wipe the tools with rubbing alcohol when dealing with diseased plants.
Container Basics
Containers can add beauty and flexibility to your garden space. They can be decorative focal points to accent your home or an area of the garden, or they can be purely utilitarian where the primary consideration is for a vessel to grow vegetables. Most containers fall somewhere in the middle, and cost can certainly be a major element in deciding which type to use. Remember that the plants really don’t care what the container is so long as it drains well! (For a review of the many types of containers available today, their advantages and drawbacks, see page 161.)
A Little History
Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.
Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».
Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.
Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.
