Tag Archives: gardening

Best Tips for a Successful Vegetable Garden

Have you ever planted a tomato plant with the expectation of getting a ton of fresh tomatoes for your summer salads only to harvest about 6? Have you ever planted beans because your friend said they were easy only to see dead leaves and not one bean on it! Have you ever planted cucumbers next to anything else only to find that it took over your garden and now you have nothing except 8” cucumbers in your garden?

I raised my hand on all of the above, because just about every mistake you could make when it comes to gardening I’ve made!

Am I an expert? Nope. Have I learned from my mistakes? Yes I have. I’d love to share what I’ve learned with you so hopefully you won’t make the same mistakes, and instead you’ll have a great healthy garden.

Give Me Some Room Please!

When planting your vegetable garden please pay attention to the little tabs that are stuck in your miniature plants. Or, if planting using seeds please read the back of the seed packet. If you are like me, you probably have ignored those all together and instead just stuck the stuff in the ground. Big mistake! Take heed of the spacing requirements. If it says plant 3’ apart do it. Learn from my errors. If you plant them closer than the packaging says your plants will grow so large that they block the sun from other plants, or their large leaves or vine nature will spread and cover other plants that you have, thus killing them.

Enlighten Me

Once again it’s important that you read your packaging on your seeds or seedlings. Plants require different amounts of light from full sun, to partial shade and everything between. If your plant is a full sun plant and you don’t give it enough sunlight it will not thrive. A plant that needs little sunlight that is exposed to full sunlight for 12 hours a day will die because it has been given too much light. Make sure you check your yard to see which spots receive certain amounts of sunlight and for how many hours a day it gets before planting your garden.

All Dirt Is NOT Created Equal

I used to think that you could just go into a backyard, dig a little hole, plant a seed, and a garden would grow. Boy was I wrong! There are so many variables of dirt in different parts of the country. It’s important to know what type of dirt you have. I don’t have the space to write about how to make sure you have great soil here. To find out all about types of soil, compost, preparing the soil, mulching, and more you can find tons of info here. My kids actually helped me to prepare the soil for our first square foot raised garden from the book “Square Foot Gardening” using a mixture of several organic fertilizers, vermiculite, and peat moss. This year we’ll use the compost we’ve made over the year to add to it.

Tips From Victoria Davis on How To Grow A Garden (almost age 5)

Want more tips on growing a successful garden? Just listen to my daughter, she’ll tell you. If you want a dose of cuteness or need to smile today, you’ve got to check this out! This is totally unscripted. She’s speaking from the heart about our garden. Enjoy! “How to Grow A Garden by Victoria Davis.”

What gardening mistakes have you made? What will you plant in your garden this year?

Have a Fit day!

Annett @FitWithAnnett

Olympian, Body Transformation Coach

I Can’t Grow A Garden, and Other Gardening Myths

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One of my fondest memories growing up was helping my mother tend to her garden. She grew collard greens and tomatoes. Today, I have continued this tradition with my children. They get excited every year when Good Friday approaches since that’s when we traditionally plant our vegetable garden.

The benefits of gardening are countless. From saving money, to eating freshly picked food at their peak, to knowing your food is organic and not full of pesticides, to loading up on foods full of vitamins and minerals that are good for you–you just can’t beat gardening.

There are myths of gardening that I’d like to dispel today that may have kept you from gardening in the past. Hopefully this post will give you the confidence and spark that you need to eat fresh at home.

Myth 1: You have to have a lot of space to garden.

Living in Southern California we are known for having small yards. At my house we have small raised gardens, which are about 4×8 feet each. My husband and I made them ourselves following instructions from a blog. We also followed the instructions from a book called “Square Foot Gardening.” I’ve grown many types of tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, strawberries, and zucchini in our square foot garden.

At gardening stores, and online you can find hydroponic kits where you can grow 20-80 plants in one vertical container! I’ve seen these on small patios at apartments, and even in someone’s front yard. Large pots also work well if you live in a place with a concrete back yard, or if you just have patio space.

Another option if you have a lack of space is to use your patio cover. You can grow things like strawberries and tomatoes in a hanging or even an upside down container attached to the roof of your patio cover. Instead of letting your small tomatoes “climb” up using a cage, they will hang down. Remember the commercials of those upside down containers? Well, they actually work.

Myth 2: The weather is too bad to grow anything where I live.

You don’t have to have an outdoor garden. If the weather is severe (hot or cold) where you live you can always have an indoor herb and tea garden. Mint (my favorite), chives, basil, rosemary, oregano, and parsley can all easily be grown indoors. Just use small pots or even old cans. Give them good soil, light, and water. Once they grow you’ll have access to fresh herbs for your meals anytime. You can also have fresh mint for tea!

Myth 3: I can’t grow anything. I have a brown thumb.

Don’t sell yourself short. If you can remember to feed yourself and your husband, you can grow something.

Here are 8 easy to grow vegetables:

Potatoes

Strawberries

Squash

Cucumbers

Tomatoes

Lettuce

Zucchini

Bell Peppers

What myth has held you back from starting a garden?

Have a Fit Day!

Annett @FitWithAnnett

4 Tips For A Healthy Spring

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What happened to your New Year’s Resolution? Has it faded away like the snow soon will? Last week the time changed. The sun shines longer into evening. Spring is already upon us!

Keep your head up. Every day is a new opportunity to change your life. Spring reminds me of things made anew. From new baby animals, to a colorful array of blooms, to new commitments, spring brings new life.

There couldn’t be a more perfect time to recommit to a healthier you! Here are 4 ways to get you started.

Spring Cleaning

The holidays have come and gone and sometimes that leaves our bodies with extra pounds and extra junk in our trunks (if you know what I mean). A good spring cleanse can help you shed a few unwanted pounds, and help you get rid of some nasty toxins, and habits too. To help you follow through with any workout or cleanse, accountability is always great to help you cross the finish line. I know I would not finish half the things I wanted to do without it. Personally I’ll be doing a 21 day cleanse in my exclusive accountability group starting April 17^th. You are welcome to join me. Whatever you do, make sure it’s healthy and not extreme. A good spring cleanse, or detox, can give you a good healthy boost.

Lighten Up

Winter cold is leaving us with beautiful warm weather outside. This means it’s time to get rid of the heavy winter clothes, and lighten up for spring. I think spring is the perfect time of year to get new workout gear. Just like the tires on a car, your workout shoes are only good for so many miles. Invest in a good pair of running shoes or cross trainers, as well as great light and supportive sports bras to start the season off on the right foot.

Farm Fresh to You

You’ve heard that “April showers bring May flowers.” In our house they bring a lot more than that! Every spring, usually before Good Friday, we plant a small raised vegetable garden. Instead of relying on the grocery store, why don’t you try out a small garden this year? Even someone in an apartment can grow fresh herbs and a tomato plant. You’ll have the satisfaction of eating your home grown, pesticide free, organic veggies and herbs from your own little personal micro farm.

Move That Body

Spring is the perfect time to press the reset button when it comes to working out. Running clubs, softball leagues, masters swimming, and free fit clubs all are waiting on YOU to join in. Check with your local parks and recreation department for workout groups and clubs. If you aren’t lucky enough to have that department just ask a group of friends to start your own fitness club. I dare you to try something new. Maybe try out an adult ballet class, spin, yoga, or boot camp classes. To enjoy the outdoors a dodgeball league, walking group or golf lessons could help you spring into shape.

What are you going to do this year to spring into shape?

Have a Healthy Day!

Annett @FitWithAnnett