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Planning a Spring Garden

A four by eight foot garden area can support a number of vegetables, including tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers and a variety of other companion plants.

Considering that one tomato plant can provide up to 25 lbs of juicy tomatoes, four plants will produce more than enough for a family of four.

Even larger gardens can produce a prodigious amount of vegetables. After preparing and eating the fresh vegetables, there may be enough left over to preserve and can for the winter.

Steps for Successful Vegetable Gardens

There are several steps the new gardener can follow in order to almost assure success. Essentially these steps parallel the proven steps for developing waterwise gardens all over the planet.

Understand The Climate.Length of growing seasons will determine the types of vegetables that a gardener can grow. The lengths of growing seasons are determined by the number of frost-free days in any specific climate area, so the gardener should find out that information.However, frost-free days are not the only criteria. In the far southern reaches of North American, including the Deep South, some parts of the southwest and areas in Mexico, summers are extraordinarily hot. Most tomato varieties do not do well in very hot temperatures. The best time to plant tomatoes in these areas are in early spring (which could be as early as February). That way, the fruit is ready to harvest before high summer.Raised beds generally warm up quicker.Mulch helps keep the soil at an even temperature, and helps retain moisture.
Plan The Garden. A good vegetable garden needs deep, well-drained soil. Compacted soil can be a serious problem. One good way to solve a compacted soil problem is to build raised beds.Since most vegetables grow better in full sun, gardeners should locate gardens away from any obstacle that may shade the garden (trees, structures).Trees may also compete with the vegetables for water and nutrients.Since any garden requires access to tools and water, the garden area should be near to these. A list of desired vegetables is necessary, as are other considerations like available space, number of mouths to feed and preservation requirements. Map out the garden before ordering seeds of buying plants.
Prepare The Soil.Good garden soil is well-drained and fertile.It must have a good amount of organic matter, and it should hold moisture reasonably well. Organic matter (like compost) helps considerably in soil’s water and nutrient retention capabilities. Get the soil tested. This will provide information on lack of nutrients and minerals in the soil.
Fertilize.Use a good organic fertilizer to improve the soil’s fertility. Good organic fertilizers contain nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Add other minerals as indicated by soil tests.
Plant.Either plant seeds inside early and then transplant them in the garden, plant seeds directly outside or purchase seedlings and transplant them into the garden. Remember to only plant outside when all danger of frost is gone. Plant seeds only after the soil is made ready. It’s not difficult. Using a garden rake will remove stones and debris. Stretch a string as a guide for rows for row crops. Plants like cucumbers, squash and melons are most often planted in ‚”hills,” which is essentially a raised mound of soil. Plant ‚”succession” crops. Some plants are suited for cool weather while others prefer warm seasons.
Water. Plants, like every other living thing on the planet, require water to survive.However, too much water can cause plants to create too much ‚”green” and not enough fruit. Overwatering can also cause root rot, killing the plant. Water every two or three days after planting. Remember to water lightly during this period. After the plants have become established, water deeply, but irregularly.Water in the morning. Watering in the afternoon may not give the plants enough time to dry off before night. Excess water on leaves particularly can cause fungal infections.
Pest Control.A pest can be a weed, an insect, a slug or snail, a rodent, a bird, or anything else that damages your veggies. Hoe or pull weeds regularly. Weeds compete for nutrients and water. Mulches also help keep down weeds.Do not use herbicides. In addition to being harmful to the environment, they will also kill your vegetables. Identify insects. There are many insects which are beneficial to your garden. Bees pollinate. Ladybugs, praying mantids, and assassin bugs, among others, eat harmful insects. Do not use inorganic pesticides. Even some organic pesticides will end up killing beneficial insects along with the pests. There are some genus-specific organic insecticides (such as bacillus thuringiensis) which can be used, but even these must be used with caution. It’s more effective to use beneficial insects, or to use the old ‚”pick and squash” method for controlling pests. There are also resistant varieties of vegetables which are being developed. Information on these varieties can be obtained from cooperative extension services or local agricultural colleges and universities.
Harvest.Vegetables have different harvest times. For instance, it’s much better to harvest tomatoes when they exhibit their first pink blush instead of waiting until they turn bright red.Leaving them on the vine until they completely ripen will increase their attraction to birds and other pests. Picking at first blush and putting them on a kitchen counter to ripen will in no way lessen their nutrition quality or their taste.Related sites: