Asbury Church Garden
by Julie Z. Russo
For the novice gardener planting a vegetable and fruit garden can be simplified by following a plan, even in small spaces.
Dr. Jeanna Myers, a Wake County horticulture extension agent, is a soil scientist who offers advice on how to reap rewards in the garden year round. As a former Peace Corps extension agent in Africa, Dr. Myers interest in helping develop Raleigh farms and gardens dates back to the ‘80s. When food prices started to increase at the time, she became involved in developing the local food community. “To eat healthy, eat local,” she said. “Why not make it joyful, and grow your own (food) if possible.”
Healthy soil is the basis for growing good food. As a first step in educating the public on how to get started growing a garden, Dr. Myers recommends growing herbs in a pot such as chives, parsley, and basil that “awaken the senses.” The next step is to determine whether plants are getting enough sunlight since they require between five and ten hours of it a day. A winter sun that is more level to the horizon versus a summer sun that is more arched provides plants with different degrees and hours of seasonal sunlight.
Other keys to nurturing healthy plants are making sure they receive enough water so the roots stay nourished, and determining and maintaining the right type of soil for the plants to grow in. Different types of container gardens include raised beds or earth boxes, fish tanks and baby pools that can be installed within the earth to hold a variety of vegetables. Creating holes at the bottom of the container for proper drainage is also essential.
Commercial potting mix is a requisite for healthy container gardens. To determine the natural Ph balance of garden soil and how to modify its acidity or alkalinity for better results, take a soil sample to the local Wake County extension branch. Healthy soil also requires a compost (pine bark-leaf), and organic fertilizers like nitrogen (from feather/blood meal), and potassium (bone meal) to boost microorganisms in soil, which plants depend for their nourishment, Dr. Myers said. In her own garden, she uses only organic fertilizers (with the rare exception of small amounts of the pesticide BT used on vegetables that could not grow otherwise.)
Some of the most gratifying garden experiences include growing carrots in a pot and harvesting basil that can be stored in the freezer all winter long. A variety of herbs can be grown throughout the year. Learn what grows nicely in different seasons, such as basil, mint, dill, and fennel during summer, and oregano, parsley, chives, lavender, thyme, sage, and rosemary in the spring and fall, Dr. Myers said. During the cool season there are winter vegetables like lettuce, spinach, kale and cabbage. In the warm season bush beans, cucumber, peppers, squash, tomatoes, eggplant, and zucchini flourish.
“A plant sends out signals when it is distressed,” said Dr. Myers, referring to the pheromones released by the plant to attract pollinators. Stress factors include whether it has enough sun, water, air-flow and soil health. For example, a bean plant responds well to being supported by a stake. The bamboo stakes holding up stalks at the Asbury Church Garden in Raleigh are a nice example, Dr. Myers said. Other tips for protecting plants include row covers to protect against hard freezes, and fencing to keep animals out. Regional fruit trees, while short-lived, provide a bounty of plums, blueberries, and pomegranates.
Dr. Myers presented a lecture on this subject at the Natural Learning Initative’s 11th Annual Design Institute Oct 4. An article by Dr. Myers on fruits in the home landscape can also be found in Triangle Gardener this month.