Creating A Low-Maintenance “Victory” Garden
While 1 in 4 Americans are now under shelter-in-place orders because of the coronavirus, rookie gardeners are experimenting with creating a low-maintenance victory garden this spring. These are turbulent times and we think gardening could be a healthy distraction from the news. If you or your clients have ever wanted to grow your own food, but never had the time, now may be the perfect opportunity to get started. Gardening can be a productive hobby for anyone looking for a respite from the stress of modern life. Growing your own food is enjoyable and rewarding. However, countless hours tending and weeding a garden can quickly become a source of stress. If you or your clients are a novice and don’t have a lot of experience in the garden, these tips will help you grow a low-maintenance “victory” garden.
Think Small
If you are excited at the idea of putting fresh, healthy, and delicious food on your table it may be tempting to “think big” by planting a large garden. Experienced gardeners, however, warn this might lead to frustration and the urge to give up. Beginning gardeners should instead start small and expand as they go. A raised bed garden is a quick and easy way to get a garden started. This no-till method also means there is no need to dig up your backyard. Better Homes and Gardens shares this no-fail-three-season plan for a raised bed vegetable garden that is fruitful from early spring into fall. Keep it simple and select up to five vegetables to grow. You will get a sense of how much time gardening takes and how much produce you and your family can eat. Need more low maintenance garden ideas? Grow a salsa garden or start with an herb garden (the ultimate low-maintenance crop)
Set yourself up for vegetable “victory”
Save time, money and frustration, by researching which vegetables grow best in your area. Here in North Texas, for example, Texas A&M AgriLife, the state’s leading agriculture agency, provides region-specific recommendations for achieving a successful harvest. Like many states, North Texas vegetable gardeners have two main growing seasons: spring and fall. The most successful Warm-Season crops to grow in this region include beans, tomatoes, cucumber, squash, peppers, and eggplant. Cool-Season crops include potatoes, garlic, onions, beets carrots, most greens, and peas.
After establishing the best crops for your location, choose easy vegetables that don’t need a lot of attention other than watering and harvesting. Experienced gardners say some of the easiest vegetables to grow are beans, cucumber, garlic, leafy greens, green onion, squash, or tomatoes. It may take some digging to find the best crops for your area but better to be thrilled by what you produce than be frustrated by wasted time and money. Google has made researching any topic easy so invest a bit time before diving into a vegetable garden. You will thank yourself later.
Agents
We hope these tips will help you plan a low-maintenance “victory garden” that will reward you, or your clients, with fresh food throughout the garden season. As we continue on this coronavirus journey, remember to keep your health at the forefront.
Empower Brokerage is dedicated to helping you educate your clients on the insurance they need to get the most out of life. Whether it’s through webinar training, one-on-one calls, seminars, or marketing plans. We want you to be successful. Give us a call if you have any questions 888-539-1633.
Quick Links:
• Contracting Portal
• Check out Events
• Get Customized Marketing Materials
