Here are 7 simple steps to get you started on your home gardening adventure!
1 – Identify a spot on your property that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. If you do not have a spot, join our team working on setting up a community garden space in Narberth with plots available!
2 – Decide what type of garden will work best for you depending on your space, available time, budget and level of challenge. Home garden ideas can include preparing a plot of land, planting in containers, ordering raised beds or even creating your own raised beds. If you need help with assembly, there are companies or even enterprising neighbors who can build your home garden with/for you. Our website and social media pages are a source for helpful info, and you can reach out to the local Grow Narberth community via these channels if you need help securing materials, assembling raised beds, getting seeds or plants, etc.
3 – Choose your soil – If you are digging in your yard, you should have your soil tested before planting. For containers and raised beds, garden centers have pre-mixed soil or there are options for creating your own garden soil such as Mel’s Mix (⅓ peat moss, ⅓ vermiculite and ⅓ compost). If you can’t get to a garden center, check out local resources for delivery. Resources for soil are listed on our website under the Resources tab.
4 – Choose your vegetables and plant – Easy to grow vegetables include lettuce, radishes, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, beets, and greens (chard, spinach, kale). Some vegetable varieties like to climb on a support structure or trellis which can increase output and garden interest by creating vertical space. Many vegetables are relatively easy to grow in home gardens as long as they are planted at the right time. You can plant seeds, purchase the plants, or even sprout new plants from vegetable scraps in your own kitchen (such as potatoes, scallions, garlic, romaine lettuce and more). Check out the links on our site for more information!
5 – Tend to your garden – Your growing vegetables will need to be nurtured with water and occasional weeding. Please keep your garden organic (using organic pest management, no synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers) if you plan to donate to food banks. There are many natural solutions to any garden problems that might occur so feel free to reach out for help on any issues!
6 – Harvest and donate extra produce for local food banks – Local food banks would love to provide your extra produce to guests. We will soon have a schedule of local drop off locations for food bank delivery. We can also arrange pick up at your home if you can’t get out to a drop off site.
7 – Sign up with Cooperative Gardens of Narberth so we can track our growing home garden community, help us all connect and grow together! Make sure to send us an email to sign up and be part of our network. In your email, be sure to include:
- Your name
- Address
- What you’re growing/planning on growing
- Any resources or help you need to get started
coopgardensofnarberth.org 