Having a garden at home is always the best way to have fresh produce in your kitchen. Having your home garden might seem like a daunting project, but you don’t have to worry. It becomes much easier if you take it step by step.
Tips to Start a Vegetable Garden
If this is your first time, the following tips can assist you in getting started.
1. Picking a sunny spot for the garden
Most veggies tend to grow the best when they are properly exposed to sunlight. But some of them also need a good bit of shade, particularly during the summers.
You have to keep in mind how the sunlight hits the space where you plan to have your garden. So, make sure that this place is exposed to sunlight for about 6 to 8 hours per day.
2. Determining the size of your garden
You must give your vegetables rough room to properly root and shoot. If there is enough land in your backyard with enough space, you can even build raised beds.
You can go for square-foot gardening for small yards, which is a gardening technique to drive your garden into even squares. It can assist you in maximizing your space.
3. Choosing your vegetables
Different vegetables or fruit plants have different growing requirements. You have to look for the right conditions, seasons, and even soil type.
Similarly, you will have to fulfill different requirements for different types of plants to grow the best way possible. You can go for vegetables with optimal growing time in your climate and region.
The most common veggies are eggplant, zucchini, sweet potatoes, and other warm-season crops. You will have to grow leafy greens in colder months and then cook them with different spices.
4. Going for companion planting
Companion planting means that you can grow two or more vegetables right next to one another to tackle pests and to bring in more beneficial insects for stimulating growth.
But you need to keep in mind that not all plants are companion plants. Some veggies grow better near some plants but not others. You have to research this area and find what to plant.
5. Choosing high-quality seeds
Make sure that you invest in quality heirloom seeds. You can also go for hybrid seeds and open-pollinated seeds. Saving your seeds is another good way to save some costs, and they are less prone to disease. Make sure to buy organic and non-GMO variants for the best results.
6. Investing in quality soil
Soil types come in six different styles. These include chalk, loam, peat, clay, silt, and sand. Loam is a blend of clay, silt, and sand. Most vegetables grow in loam.
But you need to find out the ideal soil ratio for the best results. You can also consider adding mulch and various other organic matter into your garden to improve your vegetables’ health.
7. Adding compost to the soil
Compost has bacteria, fungi, and other minerals that are highly beneficial for plants. Compost can boost immunity in your plants and lengthens the life of your crop.
You can reuse your garden twigs and branches for your compost pile. If you have a lot of garden waste, suggest using a compost shredder to reduce their size before composting.
8. Using organic or natural pesticides
Always consider buying organic or natural pesticides, and don’t go for chemical-based ones. For bugs, you can use noninvasive insecticidal or pesticide soap. You can also use companion planting for this purpose. Use a net or fence to deter any larger animals from the perimeter.
9. Making weeding a regular part of your gardening routine
You need to make weeding a regular part of your gardening routine for the best results. Each morning when you visit your garden, look for any growing weeds.
And pull them out before the afternoon. When the soil is damp, these weeds are easy to remove. You can also buy weed cutters for this purpose but pulling them out with your hands is the best way to go.
For elders, this practice can take a lot of toll on their joints and back; therefore, try to invest in a quality garden kneeler.
10. Maintaining a diary for your gardening activities
Also, invest in a gardening planner and track the progress of your vegetable growth. Note down where and when you have paid for your vegetables and see if pests are interfering or not.
You can be as detailed as possible when you tend to log all this information about your garden. And make sure to go through your previous day’s log before visiting your park for the new day’s gardening activities.
Final Word
For starting a vegetable garden at your home, you have to be very careful in choosing which plants you should consider growing and how much area you need to cover. When starting, log all your gardening activities in your garden planner to help yourself stay on the schedule.
Author Bio: Tiffany Lei
Tiffany is the founder at Garden Guidepost. She is passionate about gardening and hopes to inspire more people to adapt to the gardening lifestyle and start composting.
