Can an inexperienced gardener earn money from gardening?
ohmygourd
10 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (50)
myfamilysfarm
10 years agoRelated Discussions
Inexperienced gardener needs advice on lawn care
Comments (7)Hi ajtsheppard, Here are some general guidelines that will point you in the right direction. You can set your sprinklers to go off every other day or every third day with deep watering. Deep watering means that if you set an empty tuna can (or similar shape container)in an area within the sprinkler system's pattern, you should accumulate about 1/2" of water each time you water. Avoid light waterings as they will produce shallow roots on your grass and lead to damage during hot, dry weather. Water longer, not more often. You want your grass to be well-watered so the roots can grow deep. Watering everyday but only long enough to barely get the ground wet won't cut it, and water running down the gutter doesn't do your lawn any good either Water in the morning before it gets hot. This will keep the water from evaporating before it can do the most good. There may be less wind in the morning and this will help the water land where it's intended; on the grass not on the sidewalk or side of the house. I recommend you keep a small journal so you can document when you fertilize, what you used, and how it performed. A journal is also good for jotting down your lawn's past problems and solutions. You think you will remember all the details but all it takes is a winter to come and go to make you forget. As far as lawn treatments go, the most basic is a good fertilization program with applications of a fertilizer that has N-nitrogen, P-phosphorus, and P-potassium in a ratio similar to 21-3-3 or 21-7-14 (N-P-K). Generally these applications would be about 6 weeks apart, depending on how you want your lawn to look. You may also need a weed control application or two during the growing season. Talk with the folks at your local garden center or your county extension agent to get more specific recommendations for your area. When cutting your grass, you want to try and cut it often enough that you don't remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade at one time. For example if you want to keep your lawn at 2 inches in height, then you would want to cut it when it grows to 3 inches. In your climate zone 2 - 2 1/2 inches is a good mowing height. You didn't ask, but it is better not to collect your clippings unless they are so heavy that they would smother the grass beneath them. Your lawn will make use of the nutrients in the clippings if your lawn is properly mowed. I probably told you way more than you wanted to know already, so I will stop here. Hope this helps, Byron...See MoreShare tips on saving money on gardening
Comments (22)For nursery pots I started using old food cans, and pop bottles cut down to about 6" deep, & poke a few holes in the bottom. Seed saving from one year to the next. You can't save seed from foods you buy at the grocery store because most are hybrid varieties and won't reproduce true. You have to start with heirloom varieties, and save those seeds. Make my own compost from leaves, paper, grass and kitchen waste. You cut down on a lot of trash by composting junk mail and boxes that canned pet food comes in. Cardboard makes good compost, as does newspapers, paper grocery sacks, clothing labels, dryer lint and cereal boxes. Make your own seed starting mix from peat and perlite, because it needs to be sterile to prevent damping off and diseases that attack tender new growth. I make my own potting mix from screened compost, sand, used seed starting mix and perlite. It's especially important to have a loose, open potting mix with my nursery pots that have straight sides (cans and pop bottles) otherwise it would be too difficult to get plants out of them for up-potting. Cheryl...See MoreWould you like to earn some extra cash through your gardening...
Comments (1)Thanks...See More'Gardeners helping Gardeners a gesture from the Heart'.
Comments (19)Whew! I had no idea what you were going to say about the "rules". Jody, from the title I couldn't tell if you wanted us to do a "barn raising" type thing, or what. Like, were you going to say that everyone had to bring our shovels and hoes and come camp out at your place while we hand tilled an acre for one of your neighbors. Worse, you could have been requiring each of us to send a gallon of our best hard-earned compost off to some remote Siberian village. Postage would have been awful, not to mention the tears shed over mailing out black gold. Reading lists and sharing what I can spare is easy. No problem. Well, no problem as long as the first thing on everyone's list isn't a scoop of llama poo. I don't know if I'm ready to share that, yet. ;0)...See Morerandy41_1
10 years agoUser
10 years agomyfamilysfarm
10 years agomdfarmer
10 years agohillbillymick
10 years agohillbillymick
10 years agoohmygourd
10 years agomyfamilysfarm
10 years agoberry_bob
10 years agomyfamilysfarm
10 years agoultra_violet
10 years agoohmygourd
10 years agoboulderbelt
10 years agomdfarmer
10 years agomyfamilysfarm
10 years agoohmygourd
10 years agotrianglejohn
10 years agomyfamilysfarm
10 years agomdfarmer
10 years agomyfamilysfarm
10 years agoohmygourd
10 years agomyfamilysfarm
10 years agoUser
10 years agoohmygourd
10 years agoboulderbelt
10 years agomdfarmer
10 years agomyfamilysfarm
10 years agoryseryse_2004
10 years agomyfamilysfarm
10 years agoohmygourd
10 years agoohmygourd
10 years agoohmygourd
10 years agoohmygourd
10 years agoohmygourd
10 years agorina_Ontario,Canada 5a
10 years agomyfamilysfarm
10 years agoryseryse_2004
10 years agobagardens (Ohio, Zone 5b)
10 years agoUser
10 years agomyfamilysfarm
10 years agosnibb
9 years agoboulderbelt
9 years agosnibb
9 years agolittle_minnie
9 years agosnibb
9 years agoErica Kraft
8 years agojss42804
8 years agoFox Red
3 years ago
Related Stories
HOUZZ TOURSHouzz Tour: An Old-World Bungalow Earns a New Plan
With a hundred years under its belt, this New Hampshire home deserved the loving additions and modern updates made by its architect owner
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGSpring Patio Fix-Ups: Earn Rave Reviews for Your Patio's Entrance
Consider innovative doors, charming gates or even just potted plants to cue a stylish entry point for your patio
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES10 Tips to Start a Garden — Can-Do Ideas for Beginners
Green up your landscape even if you're short on time, money and knowledge, with these manageable steps for first-time gardeners
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGSee a Family Greenhouse Grown From Scraps
Can-do resourcefulness and less than $400 lead to a new 8- by 8-foot home for plants on a Tennessee family's property
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESHow to Plant a New Lawn From Seed
Choose from more grass varieties and save money over sod by starting your lawn from seed
Full StoryCONTAINER GARDENS8 Easy Container Plants to Grow From Seed
Get beautiful blooms and herbs in summer by starting these choice garden picks from seed in spring
Full StoryBUDGET DECORATING14 Ways to Make More Money at a Yard Sale — and Have Fun Too
Maximize profits and have a ball selling your old stuff, with these tips to help you plan, advertise and style your yard sale effectively
Full StoryKITCHEN CABINETS9 Ways to Save Money on Kitchen Cabinets
Hold on to more dough without sacrificing style with these cost-saving tips
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESTexas Gardener's October Garden Checklist
Earn a "free" bonus by dividing perennials, make planting a priority now for hardy growth next year and keep an eye on your lawn
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNSmall Garden? You Can Still Do Bamboo
Forget luck. Having bamboo that thrives on a wee plot just takes planning, picking the right variety, and keeping runners in check
Full Story
mdfarmer