April 17, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 25 Gardening is a rewarding hobby with thousands of devotees. Backyard gardens provide beauty and aesthetic appeal to a landscape, and they can be a source of homegrown food and a natural habitat for wildlife. A self-sustaining garden can be an efficient addition to any home, but gardens require upkeep and a certain measure of dedication. A self-sufficient garden is one that sustains itself through proper planning and execution. Such gardens can almost take care of themselves so long as the soil is healthy, the seeds are reused, and organic material is produced. Self-sustaining gardens also represent a lifestyle where individuals are responsible for producing their own foods -- thus sustaining themselves without the need to buy produce elsewhere. When planting a selfsustaining garden, consider the following tips. Start with soil. Healthy soil is essential to a thriving garden. The soil must have the right pH, the correct texture and composition, and must be full of nutrients. Very often, the native soil in yards is not adequate to keep a garden thriving. In such instances, the soil needs to be improved. Adding compost, which can also be produced in the yard, will enrich the soil with This year, try planting a self-sustaining garden nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Maintain proper soil consistency. Soil that is the right consistency, meaning the optimum balance of sand, clay, and actual soil, is another necessity for a self-sustaining garden. The ideal ratio should be 40 percent sand, 40 percent silt, and 20 percent clay. Having the right balance of soil can secure root formation and promote proper drainage. Test the pH. Certain plants need a specific pH in order to grow. A neutral pH range is typically ideal for growing vegetables. A pH tester can be purchased from a gardening center. Amend the soil accordingly to get the soil back to its correct level. Know the growing season. Vegetables should be planted during the season in which they will thrive. Peas, beets, and cabbage, for example, are cold-temperature vegetables, while cucumbers, squash, and melons thrive in warm climates. Plant accordingly so the vegetables will have the best chances for success. Purchase quality seeds. Use fresh seeds, particularly ones that have been harvested from your own garden the year before, to have the best chances for germination. Or buy seeds from a reputable source, like a garden center or retailer who specializes in vegetable seeds. Start seedlings indoors. You may want to work with seedlings indoors so you can monitor growth and care for them more easily. Then transplant the seedlings outside when they are stable enough for the elements. For over 30 years, Chris James Landscaping, Inc., (CJL) has built its client relationships one-client-at-a-time. As a full-service company, CJL does not compete on low pricing. This Waldwickbased company wins and keeps clients on the level of service provided and by meeting and exceeding each individual client’s expectations. To continue this commitment, CJL recently welcomed Robert Gaffney as an account manager. Gaffney holds an AAS (associate in applied science) in ornamental horticulture. He has 35 years of landscaping experience and considers himself a “people person.” Chris James Landscaping want to offer clients a personal one-on-one relationship because, even in the age of Facebook and smart phones, people still like to meet with a representative of the company that is caring for their property. Chris James Landscaping welcomes Robert Gaffney Robert Gaffney Contact Rob at (201) 670-9000, extension or sales@cjlands.com for details.