Lessons from an Urban Gardener Part 1

The best tips for growing vegetables come from other gardeners. Late last summer we visited a small vegetable garden here in Burlington tended by BGC staffer, Marty Baker. This tidy, small plot is well-designed to produce a lot in a small space. We asked Marty to share some tips to pass on to you. 

Marty's first tip is to put a fence around the garden to keep out the rabbits. Note that all these photos were taken on June 6, about 2 weeks ago. 

Plant broccoli early - as soon as it shows up at the garden center. Broccoli planted later in the spring tends to bolt sending up only small heads that quickly flower and go to seed. 

Our favorite tip she has to offer is to protect young plants from damaging winds and critters with black nursery pots with the bottoms cut out. She does this with tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, cucumbers, and squashes. What a great use for all those nursery pots!

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Marty leaves the black pots around the cucumbers and squash all season. This will help her know where to water, reducing the amount of water on the foliage that can lead to powdery mildew, plus the water goes directly to the roots. 

Even young marigolds get temporary protection until they grow big enough to protect the garden. 

Watch for more tips next week.