Are you thinking about dedicating your time to vegetable gardening? We say — go for it! It’s fun and has health benefits both for your physical and mental health. It is easier than you might think, and to prove it, keep reading.
Provide the Best Conditions for Your Veggies — Pick the Most Suitable Location
If you want your garden to be a success, ensure the plants you are planning to grow to have the best conditions. Choosing the right location is the prerequisite for a beautiful and prosperous garden. For those who are unsure of where to start, here are few fundamental things to bear in mind:
- As a beginner gardener, you should consider several things, a pertinent aspect of that is the Remember, if you want a fruitful garden, you need nutrient-rich soil.
- Vegetables, except for some leafy ones, need between six and eight hours of direct sunlight every day.
- Strong wind is the biggest enemy of vegetables. Aside from knocking over young plants, a strong wind could interfere between veggies and pollinators.
- In case you have to deal with poorly drained soil, consider planting vegetables in raised beds. On the other hand, wet soil may lead to rotted roots. Rocky soil could also present a challenge, so make sure to remove rocks before planting vegetables.
A Few Simple Steps to Prepare the Soil
Preparing the soil should not be a complex task, especially if you consult with gardening professionals. First, go to your local garden store and look for supplements most adequate for your soil. If you are not sure what to purchase, you can always test the soil’s acidity and make a purchase based on test results. However, if you are not interested in the preparation process, the pre-prepared soil is quite adequate and is available at most garden stores.
Consider Starting a Greenhouse
A greenhouse is an excellent option if you are eager to grow vegetables, but the outdoor conditions are not the most ideal. The only challenge you may encounter is the space, so make sure your yard is big enough for the project.
Of course, greenhouses come in different sizes, and you can start one by adjusting it to your needs. Although it may look like a lot of work, a greenhouse is a beginner’s heaven because it will save you from a lot of worries. It will protect your plants from severe weather and unwanted insects, so your part of the job would be to enjoy and provide your greenery with the necessary care and love.
Having Raised Beds Leads to Better Results
As we have mentioned, organically rich soil is the alpha and omega of successful gardening. Once you decide to plant vegetables, consider making raised beds because it is the best way to create a layer of soil that’s deep enough so your plant can receive adequate amounts of nutrition and water.
Raised beds will make your garden look more organized and functional; you’ll have more space to grow as many veggies as you want. In addition, raised beds to save time. Your plants will be close enough so unwanted weeds will not stand a chance, so you will not waste hours dealing with them.
Success Will Also Depend on How You Arrange Plants
The way you arrange your plants will also determine the quantity and quality of your labor. Many experts will recommend not to plant in rows or squares. Planting them in triangles is the way to go. However, make sure it is not too crowded because that can prove to be a real ‘nightmare’ for many plants — it can even cause plants to get sick or at the disposal of harmful insects.
Go Vertical
Another great way to improve your garden and make the most out of it is by installing cages, stakes, or fences and plant vegetables that can grow leaned against them. Vegetables like peas, tomatoes, or pole beans are ideal for these conditions. Opting for this solution will save you time because you’ll always know what’s going on and how fruits are progressing.
Choose Your Fighters
Considering that you are a beginner in gardening, our advice is to choose veggies that are easy to maintain, including green beans, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, carrots, lettuce, and so on. Also, don’t hesitate to add some flowers to your garden. Aside from their aesthetics, flowers attract pollinators that are highly beneficial for veggies.
Although your goal is to provide your family with high-quality foods, think about how many vegetables your family members will eat. Say NO to food wasting. Apart from growing plants, you can find in your supermarket, consider planting vegetables that are not so easy to find in the market (of course, if conditions allow you).
See, it is manageable. But, it all depends on how willing you are to start this incredible journey. It takes time; you need to be patient and devoted, but, trust us — it pays off.
