Join the Best Looking Garden Challenge- Click on the picture to view a helpful video on how to start your vegetable garden

This year, I am planting a vegetable garden. I’m not a novice as I plant Tomatoes every year, but this year I am hoping to attempt more. I am blessed with a very large lot with amazing soil (at least for flowers) so I am excited to give a vegetable garden a try.

I would be interested in what you have planted in the past. I am planning on growing Tomatoes, lettuce, bell peppers, herbs, cucumbers and zucchinis as I use those weekly. Tomatoes need at least six to eight hours of sun a day to produce well — and full sun is best, especially in cooler, more northern climates like Lombard. Provide well-drained soil with a pH around 6.0 to 6.8. In our area,  plant in spring after frost danger is past.

Since I have always been competitive, how about a little contest? Send me a picture of the start of your vegetable garden and another at the peak of growing season and the one with the best looking garden will win a $25.00 Gift Certificate to Home Depot.  You can send them to Caryn.Kuhlman@cbexchange.com.  or give me a call at 630-730-8027 and I would be happy to stop by and take the picture for you. Good Luck and happy planting.

Oh, one other suggestion, I found a video that may help you with planting a vegetable garden. Starting a Vegetable Garden Video

]]> http://www.lombardareahomes.com/blog/may-the-best-garden-win.html/feed 0 http://www.lombardareahomes.com/blog/lombard-area-spring-gardening-tips.html http://www.lombardareahomes.com/blog/lombard-area-spring-gardening-tips.html#comments Thu, 15 Apr 2010 06:00:45 +0000 Caryn Kuhlman http://www.lombardareahomes.com/blog/?p=94 Out and About in Lombard – Annuals and Perennials

I know we have had a few nice days recently. But if you are tempted to buy some annuals to plant outside, STOP. It’s just too soon to do it. The experienced gardener waits until at least Mother’s day to put those first beauties in the ground.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t begin to plan now. Take a walk around your house. Is it attractive and inviting? Are there wide open spots that could use a make over? This is the time to begin planning, not planting!

Many people find that annual flowers such as impatiens, geranium or snapdragon’s fill their need to have instant color. The term “Annual”, means that they complete their life cycle in one growing season. They grow, flower, produce seed and than die. Next year you will have to purchase them all over again.

I prefer perennials. Perennials come back year after year. And they come in fuller and more beautiful every year. Examples of these would be coneflowers, sedum, asters and salvia. Successful perennial gardens start with the soil. If you eliminate all the weeds prior to turning the soil, it will make your job much easier throughout the growing season and bring you years of color in your garden.

If you are looking to plant some perennials, give me a call, I just might share!