Planting Information

Dependent on your space size, your ability level, or even just the amount of time you’re willing to invest, the following example capture the various ways/scales that you can use to start your own garden.

WHERE TO BUY SEEDS Dependent on your space size, your ability level, or even just the amount of time you’re willing to invest, the following local businesses near Chamberbrook can help you start your own garden.

01 HomeGrown VA 1704 Arlington Rd Richmond, VA 23230

5 MIN 17 MIN 02 Happy Trees Agricultural Supply 1020 N Arthur Ashe Blvd Richmond, VA 23230

7 MIN 15 MIN

03 Azalea Garden Center 1320 Westbrook Ave Richmond, VA 23227

6 MIN 24 MIN 04 Stranges Florist & Garden Center 3313 Mechanicsville Turnpike Richmond, VA 23223

8 MIN 53 MIN

USE LOCAL RESOURCES There are already several well-established, successful community gardens near Chamberbrook, below are a few to use as a reference

01 Community Roots Garden 150 E Hooper St Richmond, VA 23222

3 MIN 12 MIN 02 Boaz and Ruth Community Garden 1203 Giles Ave Richmond, VA 23222

3 MIN 12 MIN

PLANTING SEEDS Container gardens are a great option for those who are renting and need a portable garden, or for those who have little to no green space to grow food outdoors. They are also a low-cost way to garden since they require less fertilizer and water to maintain due to size alone. Practically anything can be used as a “container;” Items such as terracotta pots, burlap bags, or five-gallon buckets can be easily purchased at a store. Ideally, a good container will have a small number of holes (about a quarter inch in diameter, every two to three inches around the bottom) to allow for proper water drainage. Containers made with solid walls (such as plastic) will typically hold more moister longer than containers made of natural materials (such as coconut coir or burlap), meaning they will not need to be watered as often.

PLANTING BUDS Raised beds are a great option for growing more or larger vegetables. They’re also more accessible for those in a wheelchair or for anyone who may have disabilities that prevent them from getting down low or bending over. Ready-made raised beds are available for purchase at most big-box stores and garden centers, but they can be a costly investment. For the more budget-conscious or eco-friendly gardener, many items can, again, be repurposed into a DIY raised bed. For example, a bookshelf can be turned on its side and filled with soil or an old tire can be simply placed on the ground and filled with soil. Even hay bales or cinder blocks arranged into a square work well! This website provides some great insights on inexpensive materials and safety measures to consider when constructing your own raised garden bed: https://www. flowerpotman.com/gardening-for-the-elderly-and-disabled/makingraisedgarden-beds/

PLANTING BLOSSOMS Lastly, for anyone who is looking to dive head-first into growing their own food, below are just a few key tips in establishing your garden: • Wood chips and cardboard are natural weed suppressants, making great, chemical-free alternatives for clearing land for your garden. • Mulch is often over-looked in gardening, but it is crucial for success!

“Mulch” is any organic material that you lay directly on the soil to feed it with nutrients, protect it from erosion, stop weeds from sprouting, and lock in moisture. • Collect your own rainwater to keep water bills down! Simply direct your gutters/drainpipes into covered containers to catch any rain fall and use it to water your garden. This is better for plants since it has a high nitrate content.

PLANTING INFORMATION

The last crucial factor to consider is the time of year to begin planting. Some plants are considered more “tender,” and can’t withstand low temperatures, while others are more “hardy” and can better tolerate colder temperatures. In either case, frost dates help determine the earliest and latest dates that you can plant in the spring and fall, respectively. For zone 7B, the first frost is in mid-November and the last frost is in mid-April, though keep in mind that frost dates are only guides for what is “typical” in a given area and can vary slightly from year to year.

Many seeds can be started inside to get a jump start on their growing season, ahead of the last frost, in order to maximize the harvesting period. The following chart shows examples of plants that thrive in zone 7B and the approximate times to start/sow/transplant the seeds outdoors (indicated in orange) and about when they are ready to harvest (indicated in green). For a more extensive guide about frost dates or what to plant when, visit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar

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