Broccoli Cupcake

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I have garden envy, but I recently gave up my dream of a backyard garden for a few pots of veggies and a share in the Delvin Farms Community Supported Agriculture program. We’re pretty busy and the task of preparing the backyard plot, figuring out what to plant, what supplies to buy and making time to shop and dig just didn’t happen.  It seemed too hard and too time consuming.  I had made peace with our decision until I talked with Marcus Kerske, co-owner of Gardens of Babylon, today. Marcus told me their goal is “really to show people how easy it is to grow their own food.”  And in a brief phone conversation he had me convinced and wishing we had met a few weeks ago.   

What started as a garden center six years ago, grew into a landscaping business and this year has expanded into a personal farming venture as a result of the high demand for vegetables gardens, which are the new “in” thing.  According to Marcus, most novice gardeners (like me) believe that starting a garden is too time consuming or difficult.  At the same time, the more experienced gardeners are set in their routines using chemical fertilizers and pesticides because they believe it’s more difficult and less effective to grow naturally.  Turns out…both groups are wrong.  So here are a few tips from Marcus on growing a healthy, natural garden and more information on how Gardens of Babylon can help get you started.

• It’s all about the dirt, or what Marcus calls a “soil first attitude.”  Quality compost makes all the difference in transitioning your soil to it’s healthiest state whether you’re planting a brand new garden or transitioning an existing garden to be more natural.  Good compost inoculates your garden with beneficial organisms, naturally occurring chemicals and nutrients that plants need.  These are more effective than any chemical fertilizer.  “The soil has been doing it (growing food) on it’s own, biologically for millions of years,” says Marcus.  What makes us think we can do it better?  Try purchasing local compost or creating your own by collecting food scraps and reducing your waste.
• Raised beds are easy and effective for Middle Tennessee gardens because you don’t have to fight the poor clay soil.  They’re also great for folks who live in new subdivisions where all the quality top soil has been removed. 
• If you choose and in-ground garden, dig down about 10 inches and limit your tilling efforts to the first year.  Annual tilling will create a hard pan where the tiller doesn’t reach making it difficult for the roots and water to penetrate deep into the soil.
• Feed your soil with seaweed, molasses and fish products every 4-6 weeks.  This is a great alternative to manufactured “plant food” like Miracle Grow.  
• If you’re just starting your garden you’ll have the most success with squash, peppers, tomatoes, basil, melons, pumpkins and summer lettuce.  You can also plant any herbs (except cilantro) all summer long.

If all of this sounds great but you’re too busy to build the raised bed or dig and till the soil you can call Gardens of Babylonand they’ll come out and be your personal farmers.  They have several options to fit your budget from consultation only to planting, weeding, watering and harvesting.  But their most popular offerings are the 2 high 4X4 raised bed and the 2 high 4X8 raised bed.  Marcus and his team will actually build the bed for you.  All you have to do is pick it up and assemble the soil and plants in your yard.  The package includes the preassembled bed, soil and plants for $187 and $240 respectively.  (I love this!  I’m seriously considering picking one up when my CSA share expires in October.)

You can find Marcus and the Gardens of Babylon team at the Nashville Farmer’s Market daily or at the Franklin Farmer’s Market every Saturday where they offer a planting station for the kids to try their hands at farming.  If you’re interested in starting a community garden, Gardens of Babylon can create a customized option and will spend a little extra time with your group on site educating everyone on the benefits and importance of growing food in a quality manner and tips and techniques for accomplishing that goal.