Hi Luke, thank you for this video. I am 67 years young and have gardened most of my life. I started a new garden 3 years ago when I moved into my present home. The back yard was a mess of packed dirt, dog poo, shredded polyester dog toys and plastic pieces from 6 years of the previous owners. It was daunting! After a major cleanup, I started raised bed lasagna/no dig as it was impossible to get a shovel into the ground and my back isn’t what it used to be. The first season was trial and error, second season good results and last summer was great! I now have a1/4 acre of permaculture tree guilds, 7 fruit trees, a xeriscaped garden, pollinator beds, grape arbor, strawberries and a small veggie garden. I have to give thanks to your MIgardener channel, Gardener Scott and Charles Dowding for all your expertise, suggestions hard work and advice. You have made this gardener’s efforts an exciting adventure with minimal effort. Thank you! Growing Big at Home, Maureen.😊🌻
I had my first victory garden this year, and I’m in my 30s. I was happy when I finally grew the basil, then the zucchini came in, then the tomatoes, etc. Next year will be much better. It’s definitely something that you can improve upon every year
I had a hard time starting basil inside on heat mat and just threw it in a pot outside and grew great lol just thot it was interesting u finally grew basil and I was struggling.
What you mentioned about dependency is exactly what happens with large scale agriculture that keeps farmers from barely breaking even and keeps them from being able to transition to organic, regenerative farming techniques that's so much better for the earth. It breaks my heart thinking about that sometimes.
This country produces more food than anywhere else in the world. I don't think its as simple as you think it is to transition to organic. It works small scale (hence the higher cost of organic produce), but large scale is a whole other thing. If we want to make a difference, people need to voluntarily have fewer children, which would in turn mean less mouths to feed. The reality is the population growth is not slowing down and people need to be fed.
hi Luke, good stuff! I grew up gardening in the family garden. we weren't "organic gardeners" but we used a lot of organic principles because that was what worked and was most cost effective. I grew up reading Mother Earth News and Organic Gardening magazines. We had sheep and chickens that we used to add organic matter to the soil. our soil was so good that we could put almost anything in the soil and it would grow. when I left there, it took me a long time to realize why I couldn't grow anything!! Good soil is the key!
Agreed. I feel like I've had to learn gardening in this order: 1. Soil & Sun; 2. Water- when & where, 3. Plants & Pests. Still new to the journey (6 yrs).
For all those worried about doing it wrong... Hold a seed and take a good look at it. That little seed WANTS to grow. That little seed wants to produce flower and fruit and ultimately reproduce itself. Just give it a chance. It doesn't have to look perfect, it doesn't have to grow in neat rows, it doesn't need award-winning yields. Give it a chance, and one day you will go outside and bring in something you can eat. And that is profoundly satisfying no matter whether it's one strawberry, a small handful of radishes, or more green beans than you know what to do with. I do a lot "wrong" and stuff grows in spite of me. To borrow the famous line from Jurassic Park, "Life will find a way." There's still time to plant cold hardy crops in most zones right now. Enjoy your gardens!
Slowly I am learning how to glow plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables, I am finding gardening very therapeutic and inspiring, spending time outside with my hands in the earth while observing nature grow.
I look forward to your videos so much! Like many, I've been hesitant to start a garden because of not knowing really where to start or what to plant. Your channel gave me the confidence to go out and make my "mistakes" and learn this year and I (and my 9 month old) can't thank you enough.Thank you so much for what you do, take care 💛🌻
I just started gardening the day after I saw the Martian in 7th grade science class. I took a potato, put it in a cup (because I didn’t know they needed a lot of space) and watered it everyday and it didn’t grow so I asked my mom for help, and her being from the Midwest, knew literally everything about plants. I didn’t start by reading books at all, I just kinda went in blind and slowly found my way. Pretty great!
This summer, I've completed my first full year of gardening, and I will say everything you've said, I've done naturally, beds because I can design garden layout, seemed easier to garden with, cardboard, grass under compost and much, have done wonders for me too. Once a month I use Alaskan fish fertilizer. I also, planted various zinnas, and sunflowers, not only because they were 20 cents a packs, but I like the different colors I hoped to see in my garden. As far as planting things to close in garden beds...now, I did that by accident, and I will say 7 out of 10 worked for me, though I will never plant vine plants like watermelon next to okra or eggplant again...okra doesn't need so much water, and watermelon needs alot of water...again new to gardening, but defiantly trying. I really happy with my journey so far. Thank you for explaining your gardening methods, it really help to solidify my approach this far. I'm learning so much from your videos... so happy you took the leap to start MI Gardner.
Don't give up on vining plants, I grow okra and watermelon in the same bed they have both completely surpassed my expectations, now I have a watermelon twice the size of my head and okra that has been producing like crazy
@@sylviaparnell6736 When a youtuber schedules a video to be released as a livestream. Some channels schedule it days in advance which is a big tease and uses up space in the subscriptions page with a video you can't watch yet.
Thanks, Luke. I love seeing how many, many ways there are to grow a garden. Your best advice - Don't copy what anyone else is doing, learn and figure out what is YOUR way. Gardening is a very personal thing between you and the earth.
You mentioned not disturbing the soil structure, worms, etc... but you also mention putting down hay at the end of the season to let it rot then covering with the soil in the spring. Are you doing this each year? Great information and have learned a ton from your videos, keep up the great work!!!
Although I live in TN, I'm definitely recommending these videos to my Master Gardeners. The techniques are easily transferrable to our area and the subjects you cover are important to ALL gardeners. Thank you!
Love the tip on high intensity. That is what I was naturally gravitating towards based on instinct - those spacing rules on the packages never made sense to me. Thank you so much.
3 years into gardening in zone 9b, and you nailed it! A lot of methods I've tried failed, and some worked. Sprays, plant types, soil mix, how when and if to seed indoors, plant location . . . everything might work, and might not. I'd have given up my first year but for one superhero eggplant. Pretty much everything else died, but that 1 plant exploded, and still produces an amazing amount 3 years later. That told me it was possible if I adjusted other factors. Now I have a thriving garden and will great 2 more beds soon. Anyway, try observe and adjust, and in time you'll become the expert on your garden.
I loved this episode! I love all of them, but this one really resinated. Great info! The core method......could a person use coconut fiber instead of straw? It's hard to find straw that is organic and without seeds in my area. How thick of a layer of straw do you use and how deep is your compost on top of the straw? Good plug for the book, I did not know about it. I'll look it up and get it. Thank you!
Thank you Luke for your great wisdom....don’t panic, just start! I was stressing out back in May of how and where to plant my seedlings in my garden...then I just planted. My garden (only a year in the house) was a neglected garden for over 15 years so I figured, after spending weeks clearing and weeding years of neglect (ragweed, ivy roots, tree roots, lots of broken glass you name it I probably found it,), I figured even if they didn’t grow properly, I’d be putting nutrients back into the soil. Few absolute fails but I get such happiness seeing anything grow. I did sew up a few growbags that are thriving, I did a test with zucchini and Brussel sprouts and the ones in the bags are unbelievable, the ones in the ground are struggling but as I said, I know their nutrients will go back into the ground and next year my soil will be so much better. Thank you for your great advice.
I can tell you what I do. I plant very close and I mean very close!! I started this over a decade ago when I lost my greenbelt seeds to birds. Now even if they get half i still get a crop. I just saw how well they did, 55 quarts out of a 20 foot row and next year did it with everything. My tomatoes are in 8 foot beds. There are a dozen per bed. They are 2 feet wide so I have 6 on each side of the bed. It just works for me.
i'd say gardening more of an art than a hard science. everyone has their own style, their own abilities and strengths and weaknesses. i'm usually picky about only using reputable sources for info, but gardening is the one thing where i trust word of mouth; we don't know everything about soil, but we teach each other techniques that have worked well for us. and almost none of the studies that are done are in realistic conditions that mirror your own area, your own garden
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this one about plant spacing, I always plant close together because I need the space, and the plants almost always grow great by doing half the space requirement on the seed pack. And yup, keep trying using different methods in your gardens folks, we all have a bit different climate soils and green thumbs, some plants grow like crazy for me others I cant even get the seeds to germinate ! And if I do buy the plant it still dies! But lots does grow and do extremely well! Keep trying everyone, I love all of our CZcams garden teachers! This one guy I watch in Australia, he says, you don’t have to grow all your food but everyone should grow at least some of their food!”” One last thing, you mentioned straw! I am a 2nd year Strawbale Gardener and I can tell you it’s great! A strawbale retains water like crazy! It’s like watering a spong!
I love the video Luke!!! I took out a pencil and jotted down some points like I always do when I listen to your content. Super useful to newish gardeners like myself who know virtually nothing about gardening outside of your videos. I am a third-year gardener and my garden is doing better and better every year as my notes accumulate!
Quick question: you say you put straw under each raised bed each year, does digging up the bed each year to lay down the straw disturb the soil structure? & when's the best time to do this?
So true! I'm only on my 2nd year and I've changed things up multiple times already. I'm moving towards pots and trellises, but we're still experimenting
Third yr here and it's been a bust. We do raised beds and in ground (done with the latter) we are looking to add grow bags. Have you used them yet? What tips do you have for pots because I never can seem to get past the seedling stage unless it's mint.
Good morning! I am watching from southeast corner of Colorado, and even though the climate here is vastly different from yours, I am able to implement soooooo much of the information you share. Tks.
Me too! I live in PA, so I am pretty sure Luke and I are in the same "zone", but I even watch a guy called "Self Sufficient Me" who lives in Australia who has some amazing suggestions!
Hey! Another Colorado gardener, I'm up in the Denver metro area. Dealing with the intense sun and heat is a constant challenge for me..oh yeah and the hail!
I love having some reference and information close to where I live that is relative to me. I live on the other side of the mitten but enjoy all your info and growing guides. Thank you!
Thank you so much for your videos! One of my new favorite channels for sure! I'm aiming to start a garden for the first time this year, and there's just so much info out there. You do a good job explaining things, and sharing your experiences. I've already made the mistake of buying expensive seeds and too many of them, lol. I'm leaning towards corrugated metal raised beds, with cedar posts. We have a lot of rabbits around. I'll be binge watching for a while.Thanks again for passing along your experience!
Luke, with such a focus on veggies, how about a video on the importance of flowers in or around your raised beds. Which ones, why and where to plant them in relation to which veggies?
Wonderful segment, Luke. Thank you for 'planting' seeds in our lives! I am considering taking the Master Gardener certification course, but it seems overwhelming for this intermediate gardener. Your teachings inspire me to keep experimenting, and to not give up on my gardening adventures.
I seriously think my pepper plants taught me this. Planted in miracle grow, got super bushy, but hardly any and in some cases literally NO peppers! I added epsom salt, but now I am thinking I do not want to use miracle grow anymore!
Thank you for sharing these thoughts. They are, at the same time, both lofty (in the sense that you know that your viewers are smart enough to understand the complex realities of trying to garden) and pragmatic (in the sense that you aren't being ideological, but rather, "I can grow better quality food for less money and less effort if I did it this way..."). It's a great balance. I've learned a lot from the combination of following your channel and trying a lot of different things in my garden.
Use those cucumbers to make pickles for hamburgers! They're perfect size to just beed to put one on a burger! I just made some claussen knock-off pickles for the 1st time, with cucumbers that got a little bit too big, & sliced them into hamburger slices & they were perfect! Covers almost the entore burger with just one slice!
For many years I did the traditional straight-line method. Then I changed to square foot gardens, then raised beds, and now a combination of grow bags and clumps. Clumps are kind of like flower beds, just put one in a corner over here and over there, wherever there is some space, this is great for perineal like asparagus, sunchokes, walking onions, etc.
Hey Luke, Louise from Australia, I love growing eatables, it's been me from very young age but have never inherited or been able to purchase land of my own,. I grow everything in styrofoam boxes from local fruit shop, but I would love to share a little bit of what works for me so that you can grow ever more, I blend my fruit veg scraps in a blender and I pour it around any of my garden 🏡 plants, then I sprinkle over some dirt to cover, if I have energy I will scrape around gently the base of the plants and pour in mush deeper down then cover with soil,. Hope this assists you in your practical garden 🏡 methods,. Louise, love your passion all the same
I really enjoyed everything that you shared in the garden lecture. I have been doing everything that you talked about, except not the core straw bales yet. Because of the Covid19 crisis, the daily visits to my small 25' by 25' garden has been very rewarding. I planted 15 varieties of tomatoes, have French variety green beans climbing my Italian White Sunflower, cucumbers, zucchini, peppers all different varieties. The Trombonchino zucchini is yummy and fun. Another gardener said the other day that my garden looks like the garden of Eden. It's so calming to be in an environment with pollinators and hummingbirds. I have blended several varieties of flowers and vegetables. Listening to your talk reinforced my confidence in how I have been gardening since Covid19 kept me unable to travel out of town these past 6 months and rewarded my focus on getting the most out of my garden. I have been able to give produce to my neighbors, etc.
Last year did cement blocks to make raised bed. Using 12 inch long PVC pipe cemented in made nice anchors for 1 cross bar to support IPEX water tubes over the top. This allows for netting / Shade cloth & plastic covers to be added. (Held in place by Harbor Freight spring clips that fastened around the pipe! ). To do over - line the inside with plastic to keep from dying out so fast! )
I haven’t heard you talk about the straw bales before and burying them. Had no idea. Please do an episode about this. Seems important especially as it relates to watering and how much you need to water/not.
I recently bought seeds from your website. So much was sold out BUT that to me was a good thing as it told me more about your quality then any testimonials, Less then 1 week later I am AMAZED. The germination rate is phenomenal ! Between your expert advice and your seeds, which I will use EXCLUSIVELY from here on, I am so excited for next year's garden. I am in SC in zone 8a so with my greenhouse I will start here in January for NEXT year, I'm sure your seed varieties will be replenished before then. THANK YOU, I was ready to give up before I found your channel
Hi, I agree, gardening is an experience. I've been gardening for 30+ years and I still have to move plants because they don't like their initial spot, for whatever reason.
I’d love to see a video on different types of bugs! The good, the bad, the annoying but harmless, etc. This the first year that I’ve ever done any sort of outdoor gardening. I was lucky enough to get tons of tomatos and kale but haven’t had very much luck with anything else. I find myself questioning every single critter that comes into the garden and whether or not I can eat what they’ve landed on. I should note that I’m super squeamish either way. Interesting hobby for me to pick up I guess, lol. Thank you! Love your channel.
I was wondering when you use the raised beds do you need to do anything to the soil/ground directly under the raised bed? Thank you for all your videos and topics
When you implement the hay bales. Do you dig out the existing soil out of the beds, and then place the hay bales after you have dug, and then replace the soil on top? Thanks for the info and all the best!
I’d like to ask you about using straw in the garden. I read that I should look for organically grown straw as most straw is grown with herbicides which can have quite an effect on tomatoes and other vegetables in the garden. However, I have not been able to find any organic straw around me (western Oregon). I work at a horse farm and asked my boss about the hay they feed, and she stated she has no idea if it’s even possible or likely that anyone would grow hay or straw without herbicides because of how difficult it would be to avoid growing weeds. What have you found when using straw in the garden?
Most people don’t understand how important living healthy soil is to produce a thriving garden with high nutrient density. Stop tilling your soil, layer feed with organic matter like wheat straw and top soil , veggie scraps, wood chips, coffee grounds, and add homemade compost. That’s the easiest and simplest way way to creat a great living soil for your garden to thrive in. Do this at the very start of the season around Jan-feb depending on where you live and when the ground frost melts. I stopped tilling and started layering years ago and my harvests have only increased year after year. Not to mention pests have gone down too not sure if that’s just coincidence or healthy soil deters pests and insects. That’s my two cents.
Luke, thank you for all of the informative videos! I appreciate your videos so much because I’m in the Chicagoland area so we are, essentially, in the same USDA hardiness zone. I’ve found it encouraging to learn just how much can be grown in this region.
I'm a new listener to your blog videos. I really really appreciate them. I am 61 years old and still learning! One tidbit I've learned this summer is the benefit of trimming zucchinis. Wow! I did not realize before this year you could cut off zucchini leavs and their stems and the main trunk of the plant would still grow horizontally across the raised bed and produce other main configurations of zucchinis. One whole bed 4 ft Square was taken up by 1 zucchini plant with multiple trunk lines (if that's a correct term).
Luke , 💯 percent correct. What works in a clay garden don't work in a sand pile. Climate varries from state to state Of course county to county.. Last year I try planting tomatoes 14" deep, I believe they almost drown in my clay and flat not draining well, Kindly like a pond effect.. My tomato plants buried about 8" did great next to the 14" deep space. Pays to try different stuff in any garden.As you are saying and teaching Thanks
With the heavy dew that we often have in the Northeast (NY), putting things tomatoes like too close together, ensures blight or other disease. I prune to single stem, cut off the bad...and still have disease. Been fighting disease for 35 years!
I’m glad that you touched on sun solarization. In some cases, it can be beneficial for killing things like harmful bacteria and nematodes, but the trade off is that it kills all the good things too.
This year in town (rental) it's containers. Four 10 gallon grow bags each have a cabbage (great protection from cold north wind. ) 2 totes (20 gal???) Have 5 cauliflower each. 2 cucumber in 18? inch flower pot near chain link fence to vine on. This I like bcs I can reach over rabbit fence. Experimenting again with garden tower ... kohlrobbi in bottom, onion green beans & topped with broccoli. The beans are popping out today. This is compact yet there's some variety ... we shall see ... just wondering about to dressing since I forgot about the TRIFECTA! Especially in the tower with the smaller pockets ...
I pretty much have to figure a lot of stuff on my own from the onset because most gardening videos are for cooler or temperate climates. Tropical climate here in the Philippines FYI. Rainy and warm. I'm still figuring out how much I should add compost and fertilizer since literally half the year is the rainy season, and I'm still wondering how much nutrients are being washed away, plus worries about root rot. For my fellow tropical gardeners: - I've tried using grow bags and air pruning pots for better aeration and drainage. Ants kinda seem to like using the grow bags for material though, so maybe air pots might be a better option. - If using the 1/3 each mix of perlite, compost, vermiculite/peat moss, I was thinking of slightly adding more perlite for better aeration and drainage, particularly during the rainy season. Maybe something temporary or that decomposes like rice hull. - I've managed to grow some cool season crops like lettuce and kale on the shady parts of the garden. - Ton of slugs and millipedes in my area, so I switched to mulching with compost instead of leaves/straw/etc. Might be doable during the dry season since there might be less of them. - Not really needing thick mulch, at least during the rainy season.
This year, I threw in sweet potatoes between my rows of tomatoes to use as ground cover (I have squash and pumpkin plants near my peppers and corn). I don't know if they'll product sweet potatoes, but the leaves (once the vines are long) are a great spinach-alternative, and since they sprawl, they'll help protect the soil. This is my first time trying this particular plant in this way, but they're growing quickly. In just a week, I've noticed a good 4-6" of growth, after a week of getting established.
Core question:. Can the straw bales be incorporated in the beds in the fall instead of spring? What are the pros and cons of each season? As a neighbor on the lake...spring is iffy if we get one at all.
We used the straw in the spring, but used fresh straw that wasn't rotted, but I'm thinking of going ahead and burying fresh straw in the trenches this fall and letting it break down over the winter. Just not sure how much will be left in the there in the spring though.
I have used hemp shells this year in my raised beds, they hold the moisture incredibly well, but do not make mold or make the soil acidic .. it has definitely been a really good experience this year, they also keep a little warm in the evening around roots etc .. while there is still good air. a good and cheap material. we have too much a weed in our grass for it to be used in the beds, it will give too much weed
Plants in raised beds and in-ground beds are working great, but I've got a below average year of growing things in containers because this year's summer is way too hot, 30 or more consecutive days of 90+ degrees. My barrel-looking containers, which I purchased from Costco, are made from resin and they get really hot to the touch when the temperature reaches 90 or above. I am thinking about experimenting growing things in styrofoam boxes next year. Styrofoam boxes may not be very durable, e.g., the resin barrel containers from Costco, but they don't heat up when the temperature gets really hot.
Currently in my 2nd year of growing its so fascinating to learn new things each day im in Scotland over in the United Kingdom, and grow inside a greenhouse and a few raised beds outside. I am glad to have a great teacher tho as my dad grew up learning these things before me but from your videos i have learned alot of new things aswell. Thanks so much for the tips you are a great guy and i hope the soil blesses you with many great harvests
After watching so many of your videos, inspired especially with the ones with your daughter helping, I am Starting a 4x4 raised bed for fall garden. I would like to get my young kids involved and set them up for success.It's fascinating how their mind works. My kids "deadheaded" my living flower blossoms and put them all around the ground on the lawn to grow more... Any suggestions for square foot companion planting? Thanks!
Really appreciate you mentioning that just because a method works for some people it doesn't work for everyone. Really great commentary. You mentioned that you are a master gardener. I just started gardening this year. Can you recommend a particular education path? Is there a certification?
Your so informative...btw some of those interesting tomato seeds that I ordered off your website are starting to throw fruit clusters... really excited for green sausage tomatoes this year
Hi Luke, thank you for this video. I am 67 years young and have gardened most of my life. I started a new garden 3 years ago when I moved into my present home. The back yard was a mess of packed dirt, dog poo, shredded polyester dog toys and plastic pieces from 6 years of the previous owners. It was daunting! After a major cleanup, I started raised bed lasagna/no dig as it was impossible to get a shovel into the ground and my back isn’t what it used to be. The first season was trial and error, second season good results and last summer was great! I now have a1/4 acre of permaculture tree guilds, 7 fruit trees, a xeriscaped garden, pollinator beds, grape arbor, strawberries and a small veggie garden. I have to give thanks to your MIgardener channel, Gardener Scott and Charles Dowding for all your expertise, suggestions hard work and advice. You have made this gardener’s efforts an exciting adventure with minimal effort. Thank you! Growing Big at Home, Maureen.😊🌻
I had my first victory garden this year, and I’m in my 30s. I was happy when I finally grew the basil, then the zucchini came in, then the tomatoes, etc. Next year will be much better. It’s definitely something that you can improve upon every year
I had a hard time starting basil inside on heat mat and just threw it in a pot outside and grew great lol just thot it was interesting u finally grew basil and I was struggling.
👍👏 greetings from northern Sweden ! well done, this year we will all be better at it. It’s great fun!
What I love about gardening is that there is always more to learn. 🙌🏼🙏🏼🌱
What you mentioned about dependency is exactly what happens with large scale agriculture that keeps farmers from barely breaking even and keeps them from being able to transition to organic, regenerative farming techniques that's so much better for the earth. It breaks my heart thinking about that sometimes.
This country produces more food than anywhere else in the world. I don't think its as simple as you think it is to transition to organic. It works small scale (hence the higher cost of organic produce), but large scale is a whole other thing. If we want to make a difference, people need to voluntarily have fewer children, which would in turn mean less mouths to feed. The reality is the population growth is not slowing down and people need to be fed.
Well that, but most likely moreso of a problem of food waste.
@@mplslawnguy3389 we don't need less people we need more people able to feed themselves without industrial agriculture
Thanks for the pep talk, Luke. I'm probably old enough to be your mom and I'm still learning. ☺️
When you mentioned how much your channel has grown I noticed you're at 780k! Wow!! That's incredible. Love all the knowledge imparted here. Thank you.
hi Luke, good stuff! I grew up gardening in the family garden. we weren't "organic gardeners" but we used a lot of organic principles because that was what worked and was most cost effective. I grew up reading Mother Earth News and Organic Gardening magazines. We had sheep and chickens that we used to add organic matter to the soil. our soil was so good that we could put almost anything in the soil and it would grow.
when I left there, it took me a long time to realize why I couldn't grow anything!! Good soil is the key!
Agreed. I feel like I've had to learn gardening in this order: 1. Soil & Sun; 2. Water- when & where, 3. Plants & Pests. Still new to the journey (6 yrs).
For all those worried about doing it wrong... Hold a seed and take a good look at it. That little seed WANTS to grow. That little seed wants to produce flower and fruit and ultimately reproduce itself. Just give it a chance. It doesn't have to look perfect, it doesn't have to grow in neat rows, it doesn't need award-winning yields. Give it a chance, and one day you will go outside and bring in something you can eat. And that is profoundly satisfying no matter whether it's one strawberry, a small handful of radishes, or more green beans than you know what to do with.
I do a lot "wrong" and stuff grows in spite of me. To borrow the famous line from Jurassic Park, "Life will find a way."
There's still time to plant cold hardy crops in most zones right now. Enjoy your gardens!
All I know is I am soooo jealous of your sunflowers 🌻 💛
I think I remember him saying in the last week or so that he is saving the seeds from this sunflower "bush" seen behind him. 😆🌻
Slowly I am learning how to glow plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables, I am finding gardening very therapeutic and inspiring, spending time outside with my hands in the earth while observing nature grow.
I look forward to your videos so much! Like many, I've been hesitant to start a garden because of not knowing really where to start or what to plant. Your channel gave me the confidence to go out and make my "mistakes" and learn this year and I (and my 9 month old) can't thank you enough.Thank you so much for what you do, take care 💛🌻
Hi let's connect
I just started gardening the day after I saw the Martian in 7th grade science class. I took a potato, put it in a cup (because I didn’t know they needed a lot of space) and watered it everyday and it didn’t grow so I asked my mom for help, and her being from the Midwest, knew literally everything about plants. I didn’t start by reading books at all, I just kinda went in blind and slowly found my way. Pretty great!
This summer, I've completed my first full year of gardening, and I will say everything you've said, I've done naturally, beds because I can design garden layout, seemed easier to garden with, cardboard, grass under compost and much, have done wonders for me too. Once a month I use Alaskan fish fertilizer. I also, planted various zinnas, and sunflowers, not only because they were 20 cents a packs, but I like the different colors I hoped to see in my garden. As far as planting things to close in garden beds...now, I did that by accident, and I will say 7 out of 10 worked for me, though I will never plant vine plants like watermelon next to okra or eggplant again...okra doesn't need so much water, and watermelon needs alot of water...again new to gardening, but defiantly trying. I really happy with my journey so far. Thank you for explaining your gardening methods, it really help to solidify my approach this far. I'm learning so much from your videos... so happy you took the leap to start MI Gardner.
Don't give up on vining plants, I grow okra and watermelon in the same bed they have both completely surpassed my expectations, now I have a watermelon twice the size of my head and okra that has been producing like crazy
Thanks for using the premier feature in a smart way. That raises my respect for you a ton.
PaleGhost69 what is the premiere feature?
@@sylviaparnell6736 When a youtuber schedules a video to be released as a livestream. Some channels schedule it days in advance which is a big tease and uses up space in the subscriptions page with a video you can't watch yet.
Thanks, Luke. I love seeing how many, many ways there are to grow a garden. Your best advice - Don't copy what anyone else is doing, learn and figure out what is YOUR way. Gardening is a very personal thing between you and the earth.
You mentioned not disturbing the soil structure, worms, etc... but you also mention putting down hay at the end of the season to let it rot then covering with the soil in the spring. Are you doing this each year? Great information and have learned a ton from your videos, keep up the great work!!!
We are in the same zone and most people here use this method.
Although I live in TN, I'm definitely recommending these videos to my Master Gardeners. The techniques are easily transferrable to our area and the subjects you cover are important to ALL gardeners. Thank you!
Love the tip on high intensity. That is what I was naturally gravitating towards based on instinct - those spacing rules on the packages never made sense to me. Thank you so much.
Thank you. Great video. Lots of information. I've learned a lot from you. I will watch this again and take notes. You are a great teacher.
Thanks Luke! Win or learn, right? That sunflower bush is gorgeous!
Win or learn -- I love it!
3 years into gardening in zone 9b, and you nailed it! A lot of methods I've tried failed, and some worked. Sprays, plant types, soil mix, how when and if to seed indoors, plant location . . . everything might work, and might not. I'd have given up my first year but for one superhero eggplant. Pretty much everything else died, but that 1 plant exploded, and still produces an amazing amount 3 years later. That told me it was possible if I adjusted other factors. Now I have a thriving garden and will great 2 more beds soon. Anyway, try observe and adjust, and in time you'll become the expert on your garden.
I loved this episode! I love all of them, but this one really resinated. Great info! The core method......could a person use coconut fiber instead of straw? It's hard to find straw that is organic and without seeds in my area. How thick of a layer of straw do you use and how deep is your compost on top of the straw? Good plug for the book, I did not know about it. I'll look it up and get it. Thank you!
Thank you Luke for your great wisdom....don’t panic, just start! I was stressing out back in May of how and where to plant my seedlings in my garden...then I just planted. My garden (only a year in the house) was a neglected garden for over 15 years so I figured, after spending weeks clearing and weeding years of neglect (ragweed, ivy roots, tree roots, lots of broken glass you name it I probably found it,), I figured even if they didn’t grow properly, I’d be putting nutrients back into the soil. Few absolute fails but I get such happiness seeing anything grow. I did sew up a few growbags that are thriving, I did a test with zucchini and Brussel sprouts and the ones in the bags are unbelievable, the ones in the ground are struggling but as I said, I know their nutrients will go back into the ground and next year my soil will be so much better. Thank you for your great advice.
I agree! JUST DO IT really applies here.
Ciara Horan we all “learn as we go”
I'd love to see an updated video of how you space all of your types of plants for a high density garden!
I can tell you what I do. I plant very close and I mean very close!! I started this over a decade ago when I lost my greenbelt seeds to birds. Now even if they get half i still get a crop. I just saw how well they did, 55 quarts out of a 20 foot row and next year did it with everything. My tomatoes are in 8 foot beds. There are a dozen per bed. They are 2 feet wide so I have 6 on each side of the bed. It just works for me.
i'd say gardening more of an art than a hard science. everyone has their own style, their own abilities and strengths and weaknesses. i'm usually picky about only using reputable sources for info, but gardening is the one thing where i trust word of mouth; we don't know everything about soil, but we teach each other techniques that have worked well for us. and almost none of the studies that are done are in realistic conditions that mirror your own area, your own garden
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this one about plant spacing, I always plant close together because I need the space, and the plants almost always grow great by doing half the space requirement on the seed pack. And yup, keep trying using different methods in your gardens folks, we all have a bit different climate soils and green thumbs, some plants grow like crazy for me others I cant even get the seeds to germinate ! And if I do buy the plant it still dies!
But lots does grow and do extremely well! Keep trying everyone, I love all of our CZcams garden teachers! This one guy I watch in Australia, he says, you don’t have to grow all your food but everyone should grow at least some of their food!””
One last thing, you mentioned straw! I am a 2nd year Strawbale Gardener and I can tell you it’s great! A strawbale retains water like crazy! It’s like watering a spong!
I love the video Luke!!! I took out a pencil and jotted down some points like I always do when I listen to your content. Super useful to newish gardeners like myself who know virtually nothing about gardening outside of your videos. I am a third-year gardener and my garden is doing better and better every year as my notes accumulate!
I love the tips! You really build my confidence. I am planning my next years garden based off your information. Gracias!
I agree. I didn't realize you can keep planting every month too - even now! It blows my mind what you can grow!!
Try and get some free Rabbit manure to add to your dirt, it works wonders and doesn't need to be composted!
@@livtheday6938 thanks, we just gave away our rabbit, we have a small house and already 2 other pets :(
Can you share your yearly planting calendar? We are in the same growing zone and I’m trying to plan ahead
Stephanie Vu your county cooperative extension office will have planting date in schedules for your zone.
Sylvia Parnell I found a planting calendar online but was curious what Luke’s was :)
@@Stephanie.vu_ what planting calendar did you find?
@@sylviaparnell6736 hi let's connect
@@s.spyker371 hi let's connect
Quick question: you say you put straw under each raised bed each year, does digging up the bed each year to lay down the straw disturb the soil structure? & when's the best time to do this?
Great question; I think I missed that part!
So true! I'm only on my 2nd year and I've changed things up multiple times already. I'm moving towards pots and trellises, but we're still experimenting
Third yr here and it's been a bust. We do raised beds and in ground (done with the latter) we are looking to add grow bags. Have you used them yet? What tips do you have for pots because I never can seem to get past the seedling stage unless it's mint.
Good morning! I am watching from southeast corner of Colorado, and even though the climate here is vastly different from yours, I am able to implement soooooo much of the information you share. Tks.
Me too! I live in PA, so I am pretty sure Luke and I are in the same "zone", but I even watch a guy called "Self Sufficient Me" who lives in Australia who has some amazing suggestions!
@@aquariusdreaming I watch him too.
Hey! Another Colorado gardener, I'm up in the Denver metro area. Dealing with the intense sun and heat is a constant challenge for me..oh yeah and the hail!
I live in southern Arizona high desert here almost the same gardening zone but also vastly different climate
I love having some reference and information close to where I live that is relative to me. I live on the other side of the mitten but enjoy all your info and growing guides. Thank you!
Thank you so much for your videos! One of my new favorite channels for sure! I'm aiming to start a garden for the first time this year, and there's just so much info out there. You do a good job explaining things, and sharing your experiences. I've already made the mistake of buying expensive seeds and too many of them, lol. I'm leaning towards corrugated metal raised beds, with cedar posts. We have a lot of rabbits around. I'll be binge watching for a while.Thanks again for passing along your experience!
Luke, with such a focus on veggies, how about a video on the importance of flowers in or around your raised beds. Which ones, why and where to plant them in relation to which veggies?
Wonderful segment, Luke. Thank you for 'planting' seeds in our lives! I am considering taking the Master Gardener certification course, but it seems overwhelming for this intermediate gardener. Your teachings inspire me to keep experimenting, and to not give up on my gardening adventures.
In the end its a piece of paper unless you are really lacking knowledge
Happy gardening🌺just love watching and thanks for all the great info 💕
Took a long time for me to help my parents understand why miracle gro doesnt work well, bless you for these videos man
I seriously think my pepper plants taught me this. Planted in miracle grow, got super bushy, but hardly any and in some cases literally NO peppers! I added epsom salt, but now I am thinking I do not want to use miracle grow anymore!
Thank you for sharing these thoughts. They are, at the same time, both lofty (in the sense that you know that your viewers are smart enough to understand the complex realities of trying to garden) and pragmatic (in the sense that you aren't being ideological, but rather, "I can grow better quality food for less money and less effort if I did it this way..."). It's a great balance. I've learned a lot from the combination of following your channel and trying a lot of different things in my garden.
Thank you. Every time I get frustrated I can just watch your videos and feel a renewed energy.
I'm in Indiana. My hope is that anything that works for you will work for me. Well done Luke and Mrs. MIGardener, well done.
Use those cucumbers to make pickles for hamburgers! They're perfect size to just beed to put one on a burger! I just made some claussen knock-off pickles for the 1st time, with cucumbers that got a little bit too big, & sliced them into hamburger slices & they were perfect! Covers almost the entore burger with just one slice!
For many years I did the traditional straight-line method. Then I changed to square foot gardens, then raised beds, and now a combination of grow bags and clumps. Clumps are kind of like flower beds, just put one in a corner over here and over there, wherever there is some space, this is great for perineal like asparagus, sunchokes, walking onions, etc.
Thank you Luke! Perfect timing for me as I’m getting ready to Prep my garden for the first time after buying our new home!
Great advice regarding 'just starting and experimenting' because you have to optimize methods to fit your own conditions.
Hey Luke, Louise from Australia, I love growing eatables, it's been me from very young age but have never inherited or been able to purchase land of my own,. I grow everything in styrofoam boxes from local fruit shop, but I would love to share a little bit of what works for me so that you can grow ever more, I blend my fruit veg scraps in a blender and I pour it around any of my garden 🏡 plants, then I sprinkle over some dirt to cover, if I have energy I will scrape around gently the base of the plants and pour in mush deeper down then cover with soil,. Hope this assists you in your practical garden 🏡 methods,. Louise, love your passion all the same
This provided a ton of great info and answered a lot of past fails already. Thank You!
Those are some good looking sunflowers. I grew some grainy sunflowers two years ago. They got pretty big.
I really enjoyed everything that you shared in the garden lecture. I have been doing everything that you talked about, except not the core straw bales yet. Because of the Covid19 crisis, the daily visits to my small 25' by 25' garden has been very rewarding. I planted 15 varieties of tomatoes, have French variety green beans climbing my Italian White Sunflower, cucumbers, zucchini, peppers all different varieties. The Trombonchino zucchini is yummy and fun. Another gardener said the other day that my garden looks like the garden of Eden. It's so calming to be in an environment with pollinators and hummingbirds. I have blended several varieties of flowers and vegetables. Listening to your talk reinforced my confidence in how I have been gardening since Covid19 kept me unable to travel out of town these past 6 months and rewarded my focus on getting the most out of my garden. I have been able to give produce to my neighbors, etc.
Last year did cement blocks to make raised bed. Using 12 inch long PVC pipe cemented in made nice anchors for 1 cross bar to support IPEX water tubes over the top. This allows for netting / Shade cloth & plastic covers to be added. (Held in place by Harbor Freight spring clips that fastened around the pipe! ).
To do over - line the inside with plastic to keep from dying out so fast! )
I haven’t heard you talk about the straw bales before and burying them. Had no idea. Please do an episode about this. Seems important especially as it relates to watering and how much you need to water/not.
It's called core gardening he has multiple videos on it! You should check them out!
Alliyah Perry I looked.. I didn’t find it.
Linda DeAngelo czcams.com/video/iTnBlkG7h98/video.html
NoteToFutureSelf Thanks!
I recently bought seeds from your website. So much was sold out BUT that to me was a good thing as it told me more about your quality then any testimonials, Less then 1 week later I am AMAZED. The germination rate is phenomenal ! Between your expert advice and your seeds, which I will use EXCLUSIVELY from here on, I am so excited for next year's garden. I am in SC in zone 8a so with my greenhouse I will start here in January for NEXT year, I'm sure your seed varieties will be replenished before then. THANK YOU, I was ready to give up before I found your channel
Awesome! I had no idea there were so many different methods! I”m a in ground gardener! 🎉
"I guess it's just not a Rutgers year!" - I say the same thing every year during college football season
Hi, I agree, gardening is an experience. I've been gardening for 30+ years and I still have to move plants because they don't like their initial spot, for whatever reason.
Hi Luke I like your channel and even more because you look like Berry Allen from the Flash. It's nice to see Berry Allen look alike do gardening.
Thanks Luke, for all the hard work. Really enjoyed the video.
I’d love to see a video on different types of bugs! The good, the bad, the annoying but harmless, etc.
This the first year that I’ve ever done any sort of outdoor gardening. I was lucky enough to get tons of tomatos and kale but haven’t had very much luck with anything else. I find myself questioning every single critter that comes into the garden and whether or not I can eat what they’ve landed on. I should note that I’m super squeamish either way. Interesting hobby for me to pick up I guess, lol.
Thank you! Love your channel.
This was one of your best episodes imo. Thx for all the great advice and ideas. 😎
absolutely love your channel. thanks for sharing all your experiences and knowledge gained over the years.
Bro 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾 been having heavy content lately... Keep up the good work!!!
Right! Dig it!
I was wondering when you use the raised beds do you need to do anything to the soil/ground directly under the raised bed? Thank you for all your videos and topics
When you implement the hay bales. Do you dig out the existing soil out of the beds, and then place the hay bales after you have dug, and then replace the soil on top? Thanks for the info and all the best!
You can as long as you add compost for more nutrients. How much you will need will depend on the height of your raised beds.
Yes, more about this needed! Thanks Luke!
He has a video showing the process
@@spottedsparrowgardens9999 Do you know the title of that video?
@@yana1955 czcams.com/video/fpY6VbinlnU/video.html
Thank you so much for this! Especially about the spacing!
I’d like to ask you about using straw in the garden. I read that I should look for organically grown straw as most straw is grown with herbicides which can have quite an effect on tomatoes and other vegetables in the garden. However, I have not been able to find any organic straw around me (western Oregon). I work at a horse farm and asked my boss about the hay they feed, and she stated she has no idea if it’s even possible or likely that anyone would grow hay or straw without herbicides because of how difficult it would be to avoid growing weeds. What have you found when using straw in the garden?
Most people don’t understand how important living healthy soil is to produce a thriving garden with high nutrient density. Stop tilling your soil, layer feed with organic matter like wheat straw and top soil , veggie scraps, wood chips, coffee grounds, and add homemade compost. That’s the easiest and simplest way way to creat a great living soil for your garden to thrive in. Do this at the very start of the season around
Jan-feb depending on where you live and when the ground frost melts. I stopped tilling and started layering years ago and my harvests have only increased year after year. Not to mention pests have gone down too not sure if that’s just coincidence or healthy soil deters pests and insects. That’s my two cents.
Luke, thank you for all of the informative videos! I appreciate your videos so much because I’m in the Chicagoland area so we are, essentially, in the same USDA hardiness zone. I’ve found it encouraging to learn just how much can be grown in this region.
What type of sunflower is that? It’s amazing
I'm a new listener to your blog videos. I really really appreciate them. I am 61 years old and still learning! One tidbit I've learned this summer is the benefit of trimming zucchinis. Wow! I did not realize before this year you could cut off zucchini leavs and their stems and the main trunk of the plant would still grow horizontally across the raised bed and produce other main configurations of zucchinis. One whole bed 4 ft Square was taken up by 1 zucchini plant with multiple trunk lines (if that's a correct term).
Luke , 💯 percent correct.
What works in a clay garden don't work in a sand pile.
Climate varries from state to state
Of course county to county..
Last year I try planting tomatoes 14" deep, I believe they almost drown in my clay and flat not draining well, Kindly like a pond effect..
My tomato plants buried about 8" did great next to the 14" deep space.
Pays to try different stuff in any garden.As you are saying and teaching
Thanks
Enjoyed the video and love your garden! Cheers Luke!!
Absolutely loved these instructions of garden methods
With the heavy dew that we often have in the Northeast (NY), putting things tomatoes like too close together, ensures blight or other disease. I prune to single stem, cut off the bad...and still have disease. Been fighting disease for 35 years!
I’m glad that you touched on sun solarization. In some cases, it can be beneficial for killing things like harmful bacteria and nematodes, but the trade off is that it kills all the good things too.
This year in town (rental) it's containers. Four 10 gallon grow bags each have a cabbage (great protection from cold north wind. ) 2 totes (20 gal???) Have 5 cauliflower each. 2 cucumber in 18? inch flower pot near chain link fence to vine on. This I like bcs I can reach over rabbit fence.
Experimenting again with garden tower ... kohlrobbi in bottom, onion green beans & topped with broccoli. The beans are popping out today.
This is compact yet there's some variety ... we shall see ... just wondering about to dressing since I forgot about the TRIFECTA! Especially in the tower with the smaller pockets ...
Luke, this was an excellent video. Thanks so much for your wonderful tutorials.
Just noticed that you have already done sessions on core gardening, a few years ago. so will check them out. Thx
I pretty much have to figure a lot of stuff on my own from the onset because most gardening videos are for cooler or temperate climates.
Tropical climate here in the Philippines FYI. Rainy and warm. I'm still figuring out how much I should add compost and fertilizer since literally half the year is the rainy season, and I'm still wondering how much nutrients are being washed away, plus worries about root rot.
For my fellow tropical gardeners:
- I've tried using grow bags and air pruning pots for better aeration and drainage. Ants kinda seem to like using the grow bags for material though, so maybe air pots might be a better option.
- If using the 1/3 each mix of perlite, compost, vermiculite/peat moss, I was thinking of slightly adding more perlite for better aeration and drainage, particularly during the rainy season. Maybe something temporary or that decomposes like rice hull.
- I've managed to grow some cool season crops like lettuce and kale on the shady parts of the garden.
- Ton of slugs and millipedes in my area, so I switched to mulching with compost instead of leaves/straw/etc. Might be doable during the dry season since there might be less of them.
- Not really needing thick mulch, at least during the rainy season.
This year, I threw in sweet potatoes between my rows of tomatoes to use as ground cover (I have squash and pumpkin plants near my peppers and corn). I don't know if they'll product sweet potatoes, but the leaves (once the vines are long) are a great spinach-alternative, and since they sprawl, they'll help protect the soil. This is my first time trying this particular plant in this way, but they're growing quickly. In just a week, I've noticed a good 4-6" of growth, after a week of getting established.
Core question:. Can the straw bales be incorporated in the beds in the fall instead of spring? What are the pros and cons of each season? As a neighbor on the lake...spring is iffy if we get one at all.
We used the straw in the spring, but used fresh straw that wasn't rotted, but I'm thinking of going ahead and burying fresh straw in the trenches this fall and letting it break down over the winter. Just not sure how much will be left in the there in the spring though.
We cover the beds after we harvest in the fall. Some use a crop cover which I tried once and hated!!
if you do it in the spring you can use the bales for cold frame gardening...just add old windows or corrugated plastic screwed to some lumber.
Nice you mentioning variability in growing conditions, and that what works for one does not always work for another -- shows growth.
This was a wonderful transfer of wisdom. Thank you!
Super helpful, informative, and all around awesome video, Luke! thank you!
I have used hemp shells this year in my raised beds, they hold the moisture incredibly well, but do not make mold or make the soil acidic .. it has definitely been a really good experience this year, they also keep a little warm in the evening around roots etc .. while there is still good air. a good and cheap material. we have too much a weed in our grass for it to be used in the beds, it will give too much weed
Wonderful explanation and doing very good farming. Your tips and guidance are very much informative.
Good luck
I appreciate the honesty
Plants in raised beds and in-ground beds are working great, but I've got a below average year of growing things in containers because this year's summer is way too hot, 30 or more consecutive days of 90+ degrees. My barrel-looking containers, which I purchased from Costco, are made from resin and they get really hot to the touch when the temperature reaches 90 or above.
I am thinking about experimenting growing things in styrofoam boxes next year. Styrofoam boxes may not be very durable, e.g., the resin barrel containers from Costco, but they don't heat up when the temperature gets really hot.
Currently in my 2nd year of growing its so fascinating to learn new things each day im in Scotland over in the United Kingdom, and grow inside a greenhouse and a few raised beds outside. I am glad to have a great teacher tho as my dad grew up learning these things before me but from your videos i have learned alot of new things aswell. Thanks so much for the tips you are a great guy and i hope the soil blesses you with many great harvests
Check out Charles Dowding on CZcams, he's a Brit with amazing gardening skills. 😊
@@wingabouts thanks ill check him out :)
Got your book this spring and put straw we had already in my raised beds and really does work!!
After watching so many of your videos, inspired especially with the ones with your daughter helping, I am Starting a 4x4 raised bed for fall garden. I would like to get my young kids involved and set them up for success.It's fascinating how their mind works. My kids "deadheaded" my living flower blossoms and put them all around the ground on the lawn to grow more... Any suggestions for square foot companion planting? Thanks!
Really appreciate you mentioning that just because a method works for some people it doesn't work for everyone. Really great commentary. You mentioned that you are a master gardener. I just started gardening this year. Can you recommend a particular education path? Is there a certification?
Your so informative...btw some of those interesting tomato seeds that I ordered off your website are starting to throw fruit clusters... really excited for green sausage tomatoes this year
Thanks for all your videos.
I enjoy the longer video just as much as the short ones!
Yes! Just start! Sun, dirt, and water and the rest can be learned over time.
I just purchased your book The Autopilot Garden and these ideas sound just like the suggestions in the book.
My family thanks you, from Atlantic Canada. First time in a long time since we ate "fresh" vegeas. Lol.
Always appreciate your advice.
I have learned so much from your channel. thanks for sharing
great episode!!