Lima beans and baby lima beans, which are the small seeded variety call butter beans, belong to the healthy legume family. Besides for the fact that they are good for you, they have a nutlike flavor and are fairly easy to grow in your vegetable garden. Nevertheless, they do especially need a long, warm summer in order to mature and this is the reason they are mainly grown in warmer regions. You may want to try growing fava, or broad beans, if the climate in your area not right for limas. The fava, or broad beans need a long cool growing season plus they have the advantage of producing well with very little care.

Lima beans can be grown as either bush plants or pole plants. Pole beans take longer to ripen, even though they will have a larger yield from a smaller space, than the bush beans. Pole lima beans will mature in about three months; this is roughly two weeks after the bush varieties will begin to yield.

When you prepare your garden soil for lima beans, you will need to fertilize it with a 5-10-10 mixtue. Plant your seeds at about the same time that you set out such garden vegetables as cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes. Your bush lima seed should be planted from 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep, and the spacing should be 2-3 inches apart with your rows about 2 feet apart. Bush beans will require roughly 4 inches between plants; so unless every seed germinates, you don’t need to do any thinning.

The supports for lima beans can be done several ways. If you have a double row, you can set stakes on both sides; wire netting is a good method; or a pole that you have attached string to and leading down to pegs set in a tepee shape. The supports need to be built before you sow the seeds. Lima bean plants are heavier than snap beans; therefore the supports for limas should be sturdier. They will also grow taller, that is 8 feet as opposed to 6 feet for snap beans.

If you decide to plant your pole beans along a fence, you will want to sow single seeds 3-5 inches apart. Thin the seedlings to a spacing of roughly 6-10 inches. In order to grow plants on poles, you need to stake out the supports 2 feet apart in rows that are 3 feet apart. You can plant about six seeds around each pole, and then thin out to three or four seedlings.

You want to cultivate your lima beans shallowly and only during dry spells because they are especially sensitive to mildew and other diseases. You will need to water them at the soil level, but never from above, and always in the morning so the sun has a chance to dry off any moisture that has fallen on the plants. You want to mulch to conserve moisture in the soil and this also helps to keep weeds to a minimum. Fertilize this part of your vegetable garden sparingly.

If your lima beans blossom when it is extremely hot they may not set. If you live in the South, the lima-bean pod borer may polish off the seeds inside the pods. Early plantings are less susceptible to this insect and cleaning up leaves will remove their nesting places.

When the pods are round and firm and you can see the shape of the beans inside, it is time to harvest. Pick as often as the beans ripen, because the mature beans will discourage new growth on the plant.

Near the end of the season you can let the remaining beans dry before you pick them. You will then want to sterilize them in a very low oven, close to an hour, and then seal them in jars. Home-dried lima beans can be stored for several months.

More farmers are getting into organic vegetable gardening because it is cost effective and they are able to produce almost the same yield of crops. You to can do this at home but first, you have to understand the principles of organic vegetable gardening.

First, organic vegetable gardening does not use any fertilizers, nutrients or pesticides. Nature is your partner here because you will be using two things to make it all work namely sunlight and water. We don’t produce these ourselves but you have to find the ideal area and provide adequate drainage.

Aside from sunlight and water, you can help the crops grow by using compost heap from leftover food, chipped bark, garden compost, leaf moulds and manure. You can mix these all together and then spread this throughout your garden.

A lot of people are grossed about by manure. You don’t have to scoop this from the toilet because this is sold in stores. If you have a dog, put on some gloves and put it there. Chickens are also great to have. Just let them roam around in the garden.

Some people use dead animals or meat products. You don’t put these in the soil but leave it for a couple of weeks in the bin because maggots will soon appear and this is what you use to help fertilize your garden.

Another helpful creature is the earthworm because it digs deep into the ground and aerates the soil bringing various minerals to the surface which also provides better drainage. This long pink colored creature also leaves casting behind that experts say is five times as rich in nitrogen phosphorous and potassium. Again, this can be purchased from the gardening store.

Organic garden is challenging since you have to deal with unwanted guests. Some of these pests include armyworms, crickets, gypsy moth caterpillars, slugs and squash bugs. Before, people used fertilizer to kill them but in an organic setting, the best weapon is the toad that is known to eat more almost every type of insect. If you have caterpillars or spiders lurking in the garden, get a bird because this is not in the toad’s diet.

In some cases, you don’t have to buy a toad or a bird from the pet store. They may come in to your home as long as you set the ideal environment for them. You can put up a bird house or a small pond. Within days, you will have some new occupants protecting your garden.

Other insect killers which you can get to do the job include the preying mantis and the ladybug because they mark their territory and eat anything that dares enter their domain.

Plants can also be used to protect your vegetables. For example, the rosemary, sage or thyme is an effective deterrent against butterflies. Marigolds on the other hand are effective against nematodes.

But despite all the flowers and creatures that nature has to offer, crop rotation is seen as the best way to keep the soil fertile. If you planted this kind of vegetable for this season, change it with another and the return to the first after this one is harvested.

The principles behind organic gardening are very simple. You just have to be practice it so you can harvest the vegetables you have planted weeks ago.

A vegetable garden is becoming a long lost art as land continues to diminish in the wake of growing and connecting communities. But it still remains true that a purchased vegetable never tastes the same as one grown in man’s own soil with man’s own hands, the culmination of your sweat and tears to provide a healthy harvest.

To ensure the most satisfaction in vegetable-growing make sure that the soil be rich and thoroughly subdued and fined. Arrange your plantation rows so that the tilling can be done with wheel tools which will help you greatly in maintaining your crops. If you’re really into going bigger, keep some planned room just in case you get into using horse tools. Keep in mind that this could be a big undertaking as the old-time garden bed consumes a lot of time and labor, and can be more trouble and expense than what most would consider, worth the effort. Make sure you’re up for the gardening challenge.

Try and make the garden vegetables rows as long and continuous as possible, to allow you to work easier with tillage and wheel tools. You can keep each row to one kind of vegetable but if you don’t have the room, consider adding several different species, one following the other. Some care should be taken to plant vegetables with similar requirements together in one row. One long row, for example, might contain all the parsnips, carrots, and celery. One or two long rows containing a dozen kinds of vegetables are usually preferable to a dozen short rows, each with one kind of vegetable. See what fits your situation best and work from there.

It is a good idea to plant the permanent vegetables, such as rhubarb and asparagus, at one side of the garden, where they will not interfere with the plowing or tilling. Try and ensure that the annual vegetables are grown on different parts of the garden in the following years; this is basically a crop rotation and can be a healthy stimulant for your garden. Crop rotation can also be used to unsure you’re not growing on an infested plantation. For instance, if radish or cabbage maggots or club-root take over and fully established in the plantation, don’t plant anything in that area of the garden for a year or more to rejuvenate the plot.

Many gardeners when building a vegetable garden only use the space for simple kitchen garden products and leave areas of bare earth. Flowers can be planted in these spaces, wherever you have a vacant corner or a plant dies. Gardens with such informal and impromptu mixed gardens usually take on their own distinct personal character that adds greatly to the garden’s interest and value. Most are generally impressed with this informal character of the home-garden in many European countries, due to their planting history that arises from the necessity of making the most of every inch of soil available. It’s not uncommon to stroll the European country side and look over the fence of a Bavarian peasant’s garden and to see, on a space about 40 feet by 100 feet in area, a delightful medley of onions, pole beans, peonies, celery, balsams, gooseberries, coleus, cabbages, sunflowers, beets, poppies, cucumbers, morning-glories, kohl-rabi, verbenas, bush beans, pinks, stocks, currants, wormwood, parsley, carrots, kale, perennial phlox, nasturtiums, feverfew, lettuce, lilies! It certainly is a beautiful sight.

You’ve decided that you want a vegetable garden to lower your grocery bills. But, where do you start? There are eight essential steps to successful vegetable gardening.

Step 1. Pick an appropriate area for your garden. When you choose your site, consider these important factors:

- Sunlight. Most vegetables grow best in full sunlight. Choose an area that gets at least six hours of sunlight a day.

- Soil. The best soil for growing vegetables is a dark soil, rich in nutrients, that has good drainage but will still hold sufficient moisture for the plants. Don’t plant your garden too close to trees and shrubs whose roots will steal nutrients and water from the vegetables.

- Water. Place your garden near your water supply — faucets that can be reached by no more than two hose lengths.

Step 2. Create your site plan. Make a plan before you purchase your seeds or plants. It will help you decide how many you need to buy to best fit the available space. Base your plan on the vegetables that your family likes, how much work you want to do on the garden and how much room there is in the garden. Create a quick sketch to follow while you are planting.

Step 3. Buy your plants and/or seeds. Be sure that the plants you get will grow well in the area where you live. Buy young, healthy plants that are not limp or straggly or that have been over-crowded in pots. On seeds, look at the date stamp on the package to make sure they are not too old.

Step 4. Prepare your soil for planting. This is one of the most important things to do for a successful garden. To prepare the soil, add a layer of compost or fertilizer over the top of the soil. Then till (or spade) this layer into the existing soil. Rake the soil into rows or mounds, depending on the type of vegetables you’ll be planting.

Step 5. Sow your seeds. If some of your vegetables will be planted from seeds, plant them first. Sometimes seeds are started indoors or in a greenouse to give them a good start. When seedlings appear, thin them to the distances recommended on the seed packets.

Step 6. Plant your plants. Plant young plants following the directions given by the plant nursery where you purchased them. Planting times can be tricky. You want to plant early, but not so early as to stunt their growth in cooler weather. Some plants will require netting or wire forms for best results.

Step 7. Care for your growing plants. Once your vegetables are all planted, you need to care for them by watering, weeding, pruning, and protecting them from insects.

Step 8. Harvest your garden. Different vegetables are harvested at different times. Vegetables should be carefully watched and picked at their peak. You may eat them immediately after harvesting or you can freeze or can them for later use.

To be successful at organic vegetable gardening you must draw up detailed plans. The soil is your first consideration; how to make it rich and fertile, and how to prepare it so harmful pests won’t attack your vegetable garden. The two ways that organic vegetable gardening differs from conventional gardens is the usage of fertilizer and how to keep pests under control. Phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium are the three components essential to your organic garden.

For lush, green foliage you must have nitrogen. For strong roots and stems phosphorus is needed. And for the important protection from disease and brief cold snaps, potassium is a must. Let’s call them the big three. The big three are available in commercial fertilizers however they are synthetic. In organic vegetable gardening the big three are added in a much different way.

The best way of enriching your soil is by compost. Dig some pits in your back yard to start your compost from kitchen refuse. Use things like pine needles, corn stalks, leaves, carrot tops, fruits or vegetables that have spoiled, manure, egg shells and coffee grinds. Some organic gardeners use weeds in their compost but I do not recommend this for obvious reasons. As the compost materials decompose they release bacteria and fungi into the soil that you are preparing. The bacteria and fungi convert nutrients like nitrogen to ammonia and nitrates that will be usable for your vegetables. Use substances such as seaweed, potash salts, tobacco stems and wood ash to help make potassium in your compost. By making your own compost, you are controlling the mixture and balance to achieve the right combination for your organic vegetable garden.

To be absolutely sure that your compost has completely broken down and is now offering up the right balance, start working it into the soil at least two weeks before you plan on planting.

The pH in the soil must be right for healthy plants. Test your soil, if it has a ph of 0 it is very acidic, while a 14 is extreme alkaline. Of course a seven indicates neutral soil. To raise the pH of the soil inexpensively use ground limestone. An additional benefit of the limestone is that it contains magnesium something that most soils lack. If, on the other hand, you have extreme alkaline soil use sulpher to bring the pH down.

Pest control in organic vegetable gardening is also different that conventional gardening. In many conventional beds gardeners wish to eradicate all pests with pesticides. Many in organic gardening only wish to keep the pest population down so to have a balance in the garden. Obviously, whenever possible, plant pest resistant vegetables. In order for harmful organisms to grow, they need bright sunlight so keep thick mulch around the plants to deny the organisms that needed sunlight and to help hold moisture into the ground. If you find you have a heavy infestation here is a natural pest control formula:

In a jar, combine 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and 1 cup vegetable oil. Shake vigorously. In an empty spray bottle, combine 2 teaspoons of this mixture and 1 cup water. Use at ten-day intervals (or more often if needed) to rid plants of whiteflies, mites, aphids, scales, and other pests.

Follow this tips and you are on your way to raising a healthy and plentiful organic vegetable garden.

Happy Gardening!

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

Anybody can do organic vegetable gardening at home because the principle behind this is not that different from what they do in the farm. The only difference is that you work in a smaller area and you get to choose what you like plant.

The first thing you have to do is find an ideal location. A lot of people do organic vegetable gardening in their backyard. To make it work, whatever you are planting should get at least 6 hours of sunlight everyday and access to water.

Just like the ancient civilizations that relied on an efficient irrigation system, you too should do the same by making sure there is adequate drainage because if you don’t, you will have to do organic vegetable gardening using a raise bed.

When your ideal location has been found, it is time to cultivate the land. For that, you will need your gardening tools and a pair of gloves to pluck out the weeds on the ground. This might take a few days to make sure the area is ready for planting.

You will only know if the ground you are going to plant your vegetable is a good spot by testing it with some compost and mixing this with the soil. Should it be able to integrate and stabilize itself with the soil, this means that you can start planting your crops and see it grow in the succeeding weeks.

If you don’t like to buy compost from the gardening store, you can make your own using coffee grounds, dead leaves, grass clippings, food waste or even manure. They also serve as excellent fertilizers.

As for your vegetables, take note that some of these may not be suitable in the land you are planting these on. This is because of several factors that are beyond your control such as the weather, pests and other plant borne diseases. You can avoid making this mistake by doing some research on what vegetables are ideal to plant in your area and asking fellow organic gardeners.

One way to protect the organic vegetables you are planting is by planting a variety of them at a time since some of these protect each other from pests. Such practice is better known as crop rotation especially when you want to adapt with the weather in your area. Another defense system that works is getting the help of Mother Nature as birds, certain insects and even toads have proven to be useful.

If you live in an area where wild animals may eat your vegetables, you should put up fences so they are not able to get through. Other tools you can use are animal hair, baby powder and deodorant soaps.

Part of preparing the land is removing the weeds. But remember that new weeds grow after some time so you have to inspect the area from time to time.

Planting your own organic vegetable garden at home will surely save you money as these are quite expensive in the supermarket. If you have some excess stocks when it is time to harvest them, maybe you can give some to your neighbors or make some money by selling it at the local market which isn’t that bad given that you don’t shell out that much cash for this investment.

If you are trying to change your lifestyle and trying to eat vegetables that are healthy for your family then why not grow your own? Why not grow your very own garden full of organic vegetables and herbs? You can do this right in your own backyard and believe it or not many people are doing just this. All you need are the right tools and the patience to learn how to do it properly.

To begin you will need to make a large space on your property in order to have a good sized garden. Most gardens leave a space of 10 feet by 10 feet to give their vegetables plenty of growing space. This will also help you to plant several different kinds of veggies without them getting in each others way. If you don’t think you have the much space then you can always ask your local nursery what they would recommend. You may have to have two different small gardens to grow the things you want.

Strip the top layer of sod of where your garden will be. During this process you will need to remove three to four inches of the ground surface to help remove the grass and the rots of weeds. Weeds can destroy your garden and the things growing in it so you want to make sure that you remove them all before you plant the seeds.

Near your garden you are going to start your very own compost heap. The compost is one of the best ingredients to helping your vegetables to grow. The compost heap can be made up of grass clippings, fruit rinds, and natural waste from your home. Making your own compost heap is messy – but it will save you money and will be a natural fertilizer for your plants.

Before you plant your desired vegetables you will need to soak the top layer of your garden’s soil. The surface needs to be completely flattened with a shovel in order to avoid puddles. When the ground is not even the water will not be able to distribute evenly to all the plants.

Now divide your garden into a minimum of four sections. This will help you to manage what is growing. Place wooden stakes between each section and label what is growing where. Each vegetable is different and requires different care. Having labels will help you to remember where the veggies are.

When it comes to what you are growing it is all up to you and your environment. You want to grow organic vegetables that both you and your family will eat and love. Visit your local nursery and tell them what you would like to plant. They will let you know in what season you should grow them and whether or not they will grow ok in the soil that you have.

While your organic vegetables are growing keep a close eye on them and make sure that they are growing properly. Remove any weeds or plants that should not be growing. If you notice that one or two of your veggies are beyond repair then you would be wise to remove them completely from the garden. This will help them to spread the damage to the other plants.

Haven’t you always wanted better, fresher, more colorful vegetables from your neighborhood market? You can only guess what those old veggies have been through before their arrival at the store. It’s hard to imagine what type of chemicals were used to keep them fresh for weeks at a time and then you’re going to bring these into your home where they may sit in your fridge for another week. How much more can a lowly vegetable endure before it starts to rot?

There is a way around this and it’s just a perfect idea for the health conscious person… an indoor vegetable garden will satisfy that desire for pure, clean, unadulterated, fresh tasting salad or steamed veggies. You can grow these right in your own kitchen with all the available tools out there.

It doesn’t take an agricultural degree to produce vegetables from an indoor vegetable garden; there is tons of information available to assist you along the way. What a great feeling to offer your family safe wholesome food you produced with your new hobby. The tools are available to produce an indoor vegetable garden your own. You can have an indoor vegetable garden on your balcony, (weather permitting) a bright sunny spot in the corner of a room or on a window sill.

You Can Grow A Wide Variety of Produce With An Indoor Vegetable Garden

Your vegetables can be planted in all sorts of containers and areas where that corner needs to be filled. Choose colors to compliment your home and make your indoor vegetable garden blend in with the rest of your living space. Take some measurements of the locations you plan to place the indoor garden and make sure it is the maximum measurement. This way you won’t inadvertently purchase a container too big for the space you have.

The lists of containers you can use are limitless. Try using a decorative sheet metal pail, clay pots and even plastic jugs. One of my favorites is the old soup stock pots, these really go well with a kitchen indoor vegetable garden. Just use your imagination and enjoy your new found hobby. Remember, you will be able to grow your vegetables throughout the year, there are no seasons indoors.

Take a trip to the local nursery and explain to the staff that you are starting an indoor vegetable garden; you’ll be surprised how much help they will offer. Carrots, radishes, tomatoes and a multitude of other vegetables are well suited for indoor gardening. Make sure to ask about plants and seeds that are specially designed for indoor container gardening. If you’re worried about lighting there are many types of fixtures designed for indoor growing. Above all else, enjoy your new indoor vegetable garden hobby. Your body will appreciate it.

Companion planting in your vegetable garden is a great way to increase the size of the crop you will have when it comes time to harvest. The right combination of vegetables planted together improves growth, reduces disease, encourages beneficial insects to thrive in the garden, and discourages pests.

But companion planting vegetables does have it’s drawbacks, as some vegetables are much more fussy than others about who they are planted next to. This simple guide will help you with a few of the more common combinations you should keep in mind when companion planting vegetables.

Asparagus get on well with most vegetables, but their ideal companions are tomato, parsley and basil.

Bush beans like potatoes, cucumber, corn, strawberries and celery, but hate onions. On the other hand, pole beans are a little more selective – they only like corn and radishes, and hate beets as well as onions.

The cabbage family (broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and kale to name a few) like many companions – beet, celery, cucumber, lettuce, onion, potatoes and spinach. But they have a few hates as well – dill, strawberries, pole beans and tomatoes.

Carrots get on well with a wide variety of vegetables – peas, lettuce, rosemary, onions, sage and tomatoes. Just keep them away from dill.

Celery is also a very accepting vegetable, liking onions, the cabbage family, tomatoes and bush beans. Like asparagus, they don’t hate any vegetables.

Keep your corn away from tomatoes, but to keep it happy plant it near potatoes, beans, peas, pumpkins, cucumber and squash.

Cucumber doesn’t like being near aromatic herbs or potatoes, but plant it near beans, corn or peas and it will be happy.

Lettuce is an accepting plant, not hating any vegetables but appreciating being planted next to carrots, strawberries and cucumbers.

Onions generally like being planted next to beets, carrots, lettuce and the cabbage family, but keep them away from beans and peas if you want good results.

Peas like being planted next to carrots, turnips, cucumbers, corn and beans, but be sure to not plant them near onions or potatoes.

Speaking of potatoes, you should plant them near beans, corn and members of the cabbage family for best results, and make sure they are away from pumpkins, squash, tomatoes and cucumbers.

Finally the humble tomato – one of the more popular summer vegetables for the gardener to grow. For the best results plant them near onions, asparagus, carrots, parsley or cucumbers, but keep them well away from potatoes or members of the cabbage family.

This isn’t a fully comprehensive list – obviously there are many more types of vegetables available for you to plant in your vegetable garden, and this article could easily double or triple in size if we tried to include everything. But this list of the more common vegetables should be a good start in helping you plan the layout of your vegetable garden for the next year.

So give companion planting in your vegetable garden a try. You’ll find you’ll have happier, healthier plants in your vegetable garden, which in turn will give you tastier vegetables to feed you and your family.

Gardening Guide-Tips on Growing Backyard Green Beans

One of my greatest joys in life is walking into the garden and picking a bucketful of beautiful, fresh green beans. Then taking them directly to a pot of boiling water in the kitchen. Nothing like it. Three days later, I can do it again. And, so can you with these tips.

First, you need to decide what to plant. The two main choices are bush beans or pole beans. I prefer pole beans because they are easier to pick, have better flavor and have less problems from pests and disease.

Pole beans, of course, require something to climb on and, therefore, tend to take up space.

But, if you think limited space prevents you from having pole beans, guess again. You can have enough beans for a family of four in a six square foot area.

A method I use is to take three six foot long wooden poles (don’t use metal) and place them in a tripod arrangement, tying them together at the top. It only takes about a three foot area, so you can have two of them in a six foot plot.

Plant the beans indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost, in peat pots. Do not use pots that require you to remove the plant from the pot to transplant (plastic). The peat pots can be planted directly in the garden without disturbing the roots.

Prepare the soil by adding compost (I prefer well-aged manure) as soon as you can work the soil in the spring. Most important! Plant your beans in a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sun each day. Beans love the sun.

As the beans send out long shoots, train them to climb the poles, if they do not do it own their own (generally, they will). Keep them watered but not soaked. Fertilize once when the plants start climbing the poles.

There are many varieties that thrive in practically any summer climate, as long as you have about six weeks of over 70 degree days. I like the “bluelake” for it’s ease of growth, good flavor and high yield.

Here’s a recipe I like for cooking green beans. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Snap the beans (do not cook whole) and add them to the pot. Add one slice of bacon, salt and pepper to taste and one whole, medium size onion.

Now here’s the secret. Cook the beans until the water is almost gone; down to about 2 inches. Be VERY careful that the beans do NOT get completely dry. They will burn very fast and be ruined. When ready, the beans should be tender and have a dark green color. They should NOT be bright green like canned beans (ugggh!). This should take from one to one and a half hours, depending on the number of beans and size of the pot.

So, give it a try this year. Then when you smell those fresh beans that you grew, cooking in the kitchen, you, too, will experience one of the great joys of life.

You may find more gardening information at www.gudvalue.com