Ten Ways to Have the BEST Small Farm

Go To Beds - eliminate unproductive path space and create growing areas that stay untrampled for healthiest plant growth.

Compost - leaves, weeds, grass clippings and kitchen waste can promote fertility. The rules are simple: keep it moist, allow for air circulation, and cover "juicy" layers with soil to keep flies out. Compost in an old garbage can if space is limited.

Careful Soil Preparation - is the single most important step. To make the job easy, water deeply several days before digging, then let the soil dry just to the point where it does not stick to the spade. Take your time. Rototillers break down the soil structure I the top six inches and within a month or two, the soil settles down tighter around tender plant roots.

Keep Soil Moist - Water before, during and after preparation and planting. Plants that get to the "wilting" stage will recover but never will be quite as healthy

Start With Salad Vegetables - for the highest yields. In one square foot you can grow 25 carrots, 13 garlic, 25 scallions or 50 radishes. Tow of the best space savers are Torpedo onions and Cylindra beets, the elongated shape gives you five times the yield.

Use Seedlings - for faster growth and to maximize yield. Lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, cauliflower and cucumbers will do better when set out as young starts.

Easiest Crops for Beginners - are green beans, squash, lettuce, chard, tomatoes, sunflowers, kale, collards, cucumbers, radishes and sugar snap peas.

Beautify With Flowers - nasturtiums surround a salad bed prettily and the flowers are quite tasty. Sprinkle cosmos and zinnias in the spring/summer garden, stocks and calendulas in the fall/winter garden.