When it comes to gardening, 30% of people claim they do it because they want to enjoy fresh vegetables. It's one of the most popular outdoor hobbies and gives you much more than just fresh harvest vegetables. It's relaxing, provides a bonding experience for your family, and adds to the appeal of your property.
It can be scary to start
your vegetable garden. You want to have a positive gardening experience
but aren't sure if you have a green thumb. Check out these tips before you get
started to give yourself the best chance for success.
Pick
the Right Location
The majority of vegetables require a
lot of sun. Choose a spot on your property that has six to eight hours of
sunlight a day. If you don't have this, some plants thrive in partial
shade.
Choose
The Right System
You don't have to plant your garden
in the ground. While this is an option, you can also build raised beds or use
containers. Choose the system that works best for the plants you want to grow
and the available space.
It's
All About the Dirt
Don't throw plants in the dirt
that's already present in your backyard. For the biggest and best-tasting
vegetables, you need to have the right mix of dirt for your plants to grow in.
Also, if you plan to use containers or raised beds, you'll need to rotate out
your soil each year.
Aim for a mix of nutrient-dense
potting soil with compost or some other supplement. You should also research
the best type of soil formula for each type of plant. For example, some plants
prefer clay-based, sandy, peaty, silty, chalky, or loamy soil.
Mixing in organic fertilizer can
also ensure there are plenty of nutrients for your plants to thrive. However,
be careful when choosing your fertilizer; you don't want to add harmful
chemicals.
Finding
the Water Balance
Do not over or under water your
plants! Both will cause your plants to struggle and eventually die. While you
could follow a watering schedule, this can take up a lot of your time. A better
option is to install a drip irrigation system when setting up your plant
beds.
These are long lines that have small
holes throughout. You can put them on a timer to automatically slowly feed
water to your plants. This ensures you never give them too much or too little
water.
Protect
and Support
Once you have your plants in the
ground with the right amount of sun and water, you need to protect them. Pests
and climate changes can wreak havoc on your growing plants. A backpack mosquito fogger is a good option if you have standing water nearby and
mosquitos are an issue.
A makeshift greenhouse can protect
your plants from sudden cold snaps. You'll set a tarp up over the plants to
trap warmth and block the wind.
Start
Your Vegetable Garden
Keep these tips in mind when setting
up your vegetable garden, and you'll enjoy fresh vegetables in your home
cooking. Having success is about achieving the right combination of soil,
sunlight, and water. Protect your plants as they grow to reduce their stress
and encourage growth.
Do more than just add a vegetable
garden to your home by checking out our other home articles about home
improvement projects.
