5 Tips for Planting Your Own Vegetable Garden
The benefits of planting your own vegetable garden are plentiful. In addition to being delicious, easier on the wallet and a healthy alternative to store bought vegetables, vegetables that you grow in your own garden leave a smaller carbon footprint. Shortly after moving into the White House, first lady Michelle Obama planted a Victory Garden. She encouraged Americans to follow her lead for a healthier way to eat and to learn the value of food and sustainable living by growing their own vegetables. Start your vegetable garden today and reap the rewards of fruitful living.
1. Make a Plan
Make a plan for the location of your garden and what type of vegetables you would like to grow. Determine how much time you can devote to tending to your garden. Consider the climate, time of year, how long it takes certain vegetables to grow and how much space you have for your garden.
2. Pick Your Vegetables
Think about what types of vegetables your family enjoys. Do not plant beets, for instance, if no one in your family enjoys them. Make sure the vegetables you choose for your home garden will thrive in your area’s climate. Consider the size of your garden and if it can accommodate the vegetables’ growing needs.
3. Determine What Type of Garden
Raised garden beds are especially well suited for growing vegetables. They are ideal for people who do not have ample space for a garden. They are easier to maintain than vegetables grown in the ground as you can section them off in wooden frames. You only have to work the soil and the plants in that specific area as opposed to a wide parcel of land. In raised garden beds, you can plant your vegetables close together, thereby edging out extra space where weeds might otherwise grow. Tending to a raised bed garden is easier on your knees and back as well.
4. Choose a Location
As with real estate, location is key for a successful garden. Most gardens need ample sunlight, shelter from strong winds and rain and protection from hungry wildlife. If you live in a colder climate, you might want to invest in a small greenhouse.
5. Tend to Your Garden
Use high-quality soil when you plant. Vegetables need healthy soil packed with nutrients and fortified by rich, organic compost. Vegetables also need plenty of fresh, clean water. Pull weeds when they are small. Spend a little time each day doing this to save you hours of weeding later when the weeds are overgrown. Purchase a piece of weed prevention cloth or lay down black plastic to discourage the growth of weeds.
Planting your own vegetable garden is a rewarding undertaking that is both good for the wallet and good for your health. Enjoy fresh, healthy vegetables by starting your garden today.
