Freedom Gardens and other tools for the Aspiring Gardener

There is a cool website called FreedomGardens.org that has a ton of resources for people looking at getting into gardening. Aside from regular potlucks at the Path to Freedom homestead in Pasadena, they have forums where you can get lots of questions about gardening answered by your peers.

There are lots of other great resources out there for gardeners. One of the best is the Master Gardener system. This nationwide network of volunteer gardening experts can answer just about any question you have, as its members are required to provide their knowledge free of charge. Not only do they usually have a hotline you can call for free, but they'll have locals who have been gardening longer than you can imagine in your climate and hardiness zone, so you're not getting a generic answer.

Another great resource is the California Integrated Pest Management Program. Created at UC Davis, they have a complete rundown of EVERY pest you could possibly run into, and how to control it without resorting to pesticides. Consider it like a triage for your garden. Hopefully you won't have to go there, but its nice to know the UC system has your back.

There are other great resources too, like the Helpful Gardener. They focus on articles around organic and heirloom plants, as well as projects like container gardens. If you're more focused on vegetables, then Veggie Gardening Tips may be your cup of tea. There are dozens more resources if you do a quick web search.

So where do you start?

PLANT SOMETHING! Grab a pot, or a storage bin, find a guide that appeals to you, and toss some potting soil in there. Buy some seeds that are in season, or if you lack patience, seedlings from a nursery. You could even buy or make a selfwatering pot if you're really worried your green thumb is black. The best thing you can do is start, even if its just some herbs, a tomato, or a mesclun salad mix.

What are you waiting for?