Informal Twitter poll results on preliminary strategies in selecting garden veggies / Multiple answers are OK
Looks like the “Refrigerator Method” is the most popular approach that gardeners use to determine which veggies to plant, based on our last post. Interesting that the “Anti-Pesticide Method” came last. Perhaps we haven’t really thought much about it, or just assume (and rightly so!) that anything home grown is healthier and tastes better than the commercially grown stuff in the produce section!
“Other” included the contrarian (what don’t most people plant?), landscape (what looks great and fits well in the total landscape plan?) and “master of” (e.g. specializing only in heirloom tomatoes).
Being a bit of a nomad who loves vegie gardening I usually have to build up the soil of each new place I live in.
So initially my requirements are the Native Method combined with the Frugal, Anti-Pesticide & Refrigerator Methods .. Growing many varieties of lettuces & silver beets.
I’m really into the aesthetics of gardens as well * So over time I like to plant all varieties of flowers, irises, lilies, daffodils you name it * In amongst all the greenery.
So yes I’m guilty * In a BIG way * Of the Impress The Neighbors Method too.
Hats off to you, Alison. It takes a lot of work to condition the soil just as you want it for your veggies. Gardening is a big but rewarding investment – so yes, let’s toot our horn with ornamentals and thriving veggies, and pat ourselves on the back for a job well done!
cool. i actually use the landscape method more than impress (really i choose purple artichokes, rhubarb and rainbow chard because i think it looks cool, not because others will — they can’t see over my wall).
- gardenlore
That’s great – you’re a chard person, too! One year we planted way too many, not realizing how easy it was to grow. They ARE beautiful, as well as delicious and healthy!