• Time in the Garden

    by  • August 24, 2009 • Gardening & Pets • 1 Comment

    Many garden novices seem to be overwhelmed at the time investment in gardening.  I can tell you it doesn’t take that much time, but I finally realized I need to quantify it.

    So last week, I recorded every moment spent in the garden.  I chose mid-August because it is a typically busy time – weeding, watering, planting, and harvesting all call out for attention.   If any time is busier, it might be spring, when beds need to be turned over.

    Thursday: 15 minutes harvest + 20 minutes water peach trees (15 minutes idle)

    Friday: 75 minutes harvest, tie up tomatoes, remove squash plants, plant beets, water

    Just a little time yields all these goodies!

    Saturday: 15 minutes harvest

    Sunday: idle

    Monday: idle

    Tuesday: 45 minutes harvest, disassemble potato box and water

    Wednesday: 15 minutes harvest

    The grand total is 185 minutes, or 3 hours 5 minutes.  Keep in mind that our garden is ~105 square feet raised beds and ~60 square feet in-ground beds.  Beginning gardeners would likely start with less square footage and therefore could expect to spend less time weekly.

    Many people already spend a few hours sitting on the patio or in the backyard during the week.  Imagine adding just a little activity to your routine and being rewarded with tasty produce!

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    About

    I am the keeper of the Hounds in the Kitchen. I live to eat and eat to live, planning every meal to include as much local and seasonal abundance as possible. I often wear purple and never refuse a drink.

    http://www.houndsinthekitchen.com

    One Response to Time in the Garden

    1. August 24, 2009 at 4:20 am

      Last year I had one tomato plant which I woefully kept forgetting to water. This year I had two tomato plants in a “garden success” kit I planted in late June. The success part is that it’s self watering. I just needed to refill it about once a week. I have picked almost 2 dozen (they’re grape variety). This week I’m going to see about getting some spinach started.

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