I recently came upon Kraft foods’ home farming community sponsored by Triscuit. I actually liked the site, it’s a very good primer to growing vegetables at home. And here’s my more detailed review.
They have vegetable profiles. Basic, cartoony, but simple enough to make growing broccoli seem easy.
My only complaint, very little variety. The Crop guide only includes Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplants, Beets, Carrots, Onions, Scallions, Radishes, Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Peas, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Arugula, Collard Greens, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard and a variety of Basic Herbs. That seems like a lot right?
There’s no mention of Squashes, of Pumpkins, of Fruit, of Kohlrabi, of Potatoes, of Asparagus. And the cute little profiles don’t talk about different varieties of the vegetables, the heirloom varieties. Carrots, tomatoes, peppers, all come in a rainbow of colours. Some varieties of heirloom plants do better in different climates. The guide does not mention varieties at all. It’s very much a simple caricature of very basic simplified vegetables.
Growing your vegetables at home seems to have a great deal more information. Resident expert Paul James has various videos as well as texts on various topics including Preparing your Home Farm, Planting your Home Farm, Harvesting and Planting Schedules, Using and Storing your Harvest and Nurturing your Home Farm.
These sections are full of information that the new gardener will find incredibly useful and that the experienced gardener may have opinions on. For example, in Pests/Diseases, he recommends using fresh-bagged soil to avoid diseases instead of soil from your yard or last vegetable garden. I don’t necessarily like the reliance on fresh bagged soil. I do like that he recommends home organic recipes for getting rid of pests though.
There is even a recommendation section for those looking to start a home farm. Input your location (sadly it only takes US Zip codes), how much space you have available with at least 6 hours a day of direct sunlight, and how much time you are willing to devote to your garden.
The following suggested vegetables were offered for someone looking to grow in my zip code on a small balcony willing to devote as little time as possible (See the saved link here).
The following suggested vegetables were offered for someone looking to grow in my zip code with room for two large raised beds willing to devote as much time as necessary (See the saved link here). And the recommendations seem to be almost identical in terms of plants recommended. I’m quite sure that plants are chosen based on location rather than space. At least in my zip code.
My overall impression of the site: Great for Beginners.
Get people growing. Then, once they have some momentum, lets educate them about heirloom varieties and organic methods.
What are your favorite Gardening Websites?
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I have a very shaded yard that is over run with rabbits. (Poodle loves to chase but will not catch.) So no garden for me. I’m going to try one of those upside down tomato planters though. So far, I’ve never seen a rabbit that can climb.