Vegetables grown in your own garden are far superior to grocery store produce by any standard, both in freshness, quality and flavor. With your own vegetable garden you can pick your vegetables at their peak of ripeness and right at mealtime. You’ll save a lot of money and your family and lucky neighbors will love the results. Follow these tips on the basics of planning a vegetable garden and you’ll be picking your own crop soon. If you’ve never grown your own vegetables, give it a try!
You can start out in a small way. It’s easy to let your enthusiasm run wild, wanting to plant all of your favorite vegetables. The problem arises when you find yourself overwhelmed by the time required to maintain a large garden. Get one growing season under your belt to get a good idea of the tasks involved and the time you need to nurture your new hobby. A good size for the first-time veggie gardener is about 4′ x 8′. A patio or balcony garden is easily managed, even when filled to capacity.
When planning a vegetable garden, your first decisions are location, layout and type of bed. Most vegetables require a southern exposure with at least eight hours of sunlight, so plan accordingly. Raised beds are easy to work and drain well. Lining the bottom of the frame with wire mesh provides protection from burrowing critters. You have a little more initial expense in constructing the frame and filling the bed, but in the long run, you’ll have less work and better results. If you choose to dig the ground directly, double-digging to a depth of 24 inches is recommended for the most friable soil and best drainage. If you’re growing in pots, use oak half-barrels or similar sized containers. Consult your nursery worker for veggie varieties that grow well in pots.
Prepare your soil thoroughly. You should be able to gently squeeze a big handful and have it just barely hold its form, then easily crumble as you sift it through your hands. Get a soil test kit and make any adjustments to correct for too acid or alkaline soil.
Planning a vegetable garden for maximum yield includes consideration of the technique known as interplanting, that allows you to grow two crops in sequence in the same space. For example, carrots and radishes may be planted with a row of lettuce. The carrots and radishes will be ready by the time the lettuce fills out the space.
Knowledge of companion planting is also useful when planning a vegetable garden. Some vegetables grow more vigorously when planted with another particular plant. For example, tomatoes and basil are good companions, producing better tomatoes, tastier basil and provide natural protection from pests. You also want to know what not to plant in proximity. Gladiolas shouldn’t be planted anywhere near tomatoes! Your tomatoes will not thrive!
Planning a vegetable garden can be almost as much fun as growing and harvesting your first? delectable crop. Start small, do your research, generously apply TLC and watch your garden grow!