Let's talk dirty!

     One of the most important things...let's begin again...The most important thing in your garden is the sun second, is the soil. After spending years in apartments with pots and arranging them to catch the best sun having a  real garden plot surprised me. I now have an honest to goodness garden. One that someone started for me. Now I have to add my personality to it I am stunned! So I went to the books and PC to study. Things that worked for me at the apartment died in the garden. So I went back to basics:
*Pick a sunny spot on the gets good long term sunlight. Most plants can squeak by with 6 hours of sun during the summer. If you are growing most plants that's what you need for a healthy plant. Look at the seed packets they will have a  bright yellow sun symbol. Those are full sun. If it has a sun with half of it blacked out...those are shade plants. Pay attention to the seed packets they will tell you what the seeds need...
     * Soil: I suggest you get your soil tested. Most states offer soil testing for a small fee but you can buy a test kit anywhere including Wal-Mart. Good dirt is like gold! Rich dark loamy soil that gives your plants what it needs. Well most people are not that lucky. You will either have sandy soil which will dry your plants out leeches away the minerals fast or clay soil which will cling to the roots and smother them to death. What you want is loose dark soil not too acid no too base. Sometimes nature does not give you a choice and you have to work with it.
    * Preparing the earth:...you can buy organic composted soil or you can cheap out like I do and make it. I save all the vegetable matter leaves grass clippings, carrot ends, soggy gross lettuce bits. I actually have a waste bowl that I drop the bits and pieces in and that goes into my compost. Do you brew your own coffee in the morning? Add the grounds to the waste bowl! Coffee keeps the odor down by end of week you have a large coffee can full! Now take them outside preferably where you want to plant your garden you have your first compost! Flip the can over and empty it's contents.  You can buy a composter but where's the fun in that?! There are several great links for building them. Now if your not happy with just your own waste steal your neighbors that they are so nice to bag up and leave for the trashmen!  I am dropping the links for several good videos on gardening! Here you go get inspired!!!
http://youtu.be/FWFUxeCaX0U#aid=P-6XPksMRPU


http://youtu.be/zkwTsDMH8dI