One of the ways to start a sustainable lifestyle is growing your own food. Having your own fresh vegetables at home is not only money-saving but also planet-saving. Starting a vegetable garden can be easy given the right steps and basic rules of gardening. Here are our ten simple tips:
Vegetable Garden Tips
1. Choosing the Right Location
The location is one of the most crucial steps. Your vegetable garden location must have ample sunlight, space, and close to your water source. Also, it is vital to look for an area around the house that is levelled so you will be able to avoid erosion which can potentially damage your vegetables.
2. Carefully Select Your Vegetables
Choosing the kind of vegetables to grow in your garden must be based on your location and the specific needs of the vegetables. Additionally, choose a vegetable that is aligned with your skills as a gardener. There are some vegetables that require experience to cultivate, so if you’re just starting, choose a low-maintenance plant. For beginners, opt for lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, and peppers.
3. Prepare the Soil Before Cultivating
You can either purchase a ready-mixed soil or can mix your own blend of compost and natural fertiliser depending on the existing soil in your area and the kind of vegetables you will be growing. Conditioning your soil before cultivating your vegetables will give your plants more chances of survival and will promote better thriving.
4. Check Planting Dates
Another important thing when starting a vegetable garden is to know the perfect time to grow and harvest. Also, when choosing your seeds, make sure that it is the season for that particular plant. Some thrive better in the summer while some like cold climates. Hence, when choosing your veggies, at least choose the ones that are in almost the same season.
5. Planting the Seeds
Follow the steps indicated in your seed packet. It is also important to the amount of plant spacing and follow the level of depth you need to bury your seeds.
6. Adding Water
To prevent flooding your vegetable garden, use a spray nozzle to keep your garden soil moist during the growing season. A spray nozzle is ideal for creating a gentle mist around your vegetables.
7. Keeping Out the Weeds
The most effective way to keep your vegetables away from weeds is through mulching. You can easily add a two to four inches thick layer of mulch, preferably organic so your plant will be able to combat weeds from penetrating your vegetables. But, if the weeds seem to be persistent, when you weed them out, make sure you take the entire root.
8. Proper Spacing
For each vegetable, there is a specific spacing needs for them to enhance and fully optimise growth. Hence, before planting them in your soil, research the plant’s proper care first.
9. Fertilize When Necessary
You can make your own fertiliser made out of organic compounds such as eggshells, Epsom salt, and kitchen compost. You can also buy a ready-mixed one. However, there are signs plants show when they have specific nutrient deficiency. Although it is ideal for fertiliser, it is still ideal to give only what your plant needs and no overfeed it.
10. Harvesting Vegetables
It is best to pick your vegetable while they are tender and eat them right away. As soon as your crops reach their edible stage, pull the crop all the way to the roots.
Vegetable gardening is breezy as long as you follow the right ways of growing them and follow their season. Fresh vegetables are always a delight and growing your own is even more rewarding.
