There’s nothing more rewarding than cooking with fresh produce picked from your own backyard. But for people who can’t even keep a houseplant alive, growing vegetables can be quite the challenge.
When is the right time to plant, how far apart should you distance seedlings, and how much watering do you need to do. These are just some of the questions that come up when cultivating your own vegetable garden. But, learning how to grow your own produce can help cut back on grocery bills and instill a sense of pride.
Even if you have the greenest thumb this side of the Mississippi, there are still tips and tricks out there that make growing vegetables at home easier.
Group Like Vegetables Together
Some vegetables have the exact growing requirements as others. In this case, grouping them is a great way to maximize space and complete more work in less time. You can grow plants like peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants together. Others, like carrots and radishes, can also share space.
However, pay attention to the growing habits and root systems of the vegetables you group. Some plants have intensive root systems that require space to spread.
Tool Sharing
Depending on the type of garden you’re growing, you may need various tools, while other times, a hand fork and a watering can are sufficient. Planning for your garden and acquiring the tools is always best, but sometimes circumstances don’t allow. Enter tool sharing!
Tool sharing is one way to make gardening cost-effective and convenient. It also works great if you lack space and somewhere to store your gardening equipment. You can lend yours out to someone for some time or borrow someone else’s to complete your tasks.
Companion Planting
Companion planting is when you grow vegetables next to others for a mutual benefit. It’s a tried-and-tested method that’s been used for centuries. Some plants help prevent diseases, repel pests, or provide shade to other plants.
For example, planting Marigolds next to tomatoes scares away pests that love tomatoes. Or, plant parsley, which grows upwards, next to a vegetable that needs shade.
Succession Planting
Succession planting is one of the best ways to ensure a constant supply of your favorite vegetables. It involves planting the same vegetables at intervals to get more extended harvests. Instead of planting everything at once, you can grow a new patch of vegetables every other week.
It prevents having huge harvests at once, which could lead to waste. Salad greens, onions, and bush beans are a few that can be grown in succession.
Choosing the Right Plants
Different plants have different growing conditions. Some can survive year-round, while others only do best in warmer months. Knowing which plants to grow and when will save you time and money.
Pick plant varieties with growth habits ideal for your garden space and needs. If you have a busy lifestyle, choose low-maintenance vegetables that don’t require lots of hands-on care like bell peppers and cucumbers.
Plant Exchange
While buying seeds, seedlings, or cuttings won’t necessarily break the bank, plant sharing is a cheaper way to build up your garden. Sharing, swapping, or exchanging plants and seeds with others in your community is a fantastic way to increase your harvests.
Some communities have plant exchange programs one can join. However, you can exchange plants with family, friends, or neighbors in smaller groups, too.
Consider the Growing Requirements of Each Plant
Some vegetables need full sun to grow well, while others can grow in partial shade. Just like some require nutrient-rich, well-draining soil, others are more flexible with the type of soil they can grow in.
Knowing the particulars is essential, because you will see a lot more success by catering to each of the vegetable’s needs than if you were just to wing it.
Pick the Right Location
Depending on the vegetables you intend to grow, choosing the right location determines the success of your garden. You need to consider whether the area receives any sunlight and how much it gets per day.
Pick a location with a water source nearby for convenience. Lugging heavy cans or containers of water will most definitely take the fun out of the experience.
Garden Size
The size of your garden determines what type of plants you can grow. Some grow large and bushy and require vast amounts of space to thrive, while others are smaller and only take up a little space, which means you can plant even more.
Also, consider the purpose of the garden. Are the vegetables just for home consumption, or are they perhaps for sharing with friends or family? You’ll want to plant less if just for you and more if you’re sharing.
Grow Your Favorite Vegetables
The excitement of starting my first vegetable garden led me to grow everything I could get my hands on. Only later did I realize I planted vegetables I didn’t want or need. Growing your favorite vegetables or those you love to eat ensures that the space is only taken up by what you want to grow.
For example, if you love salad, you can grow salad ingredients rather than vegetables you hardly eat. If you have the space, however, and want to grow to share, that’s a very viable option as well.
Crop Rotation
Crop rotation is when you grow different plants on the same plot in alternate seasons. For example, if you grow beans and tomatoes this season, try other vegetables next time. Crop rotation has been known to increase soil fertility, reduce soil erosion, and improve crop yield.
It’s also useful in managing pests and diseases. Some vegetables are prone to certain diseases and pests, while others aren’t affected, and rotating crops can nip this problem in the bud.
Seed Saving
You can save the seeds of your favorite vegetables and varieties for the next planting season. Seed saving helps preserve heirloom varieties. It’s best only to keep those from open-pollinated plants. They reproduce into the same type of plant that the seed came from, while hybrids don’t.
Beans, tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers are some of the easiest legumes, fruits, and vegetables to save seeds from.
Indoor Vegetable Garden
Indoor vegetable gardens are popular. They come in handy when space is limited and are a great alternative during the colder months. Vegetables like lettuce, spinach, and even tomatoes can be grown indoors.
A sunny spot, a suitable container, and nutrient-rich, well-draining soil or potting mix are usually all you need to get started.
Have Fun With It
Gardening can be fun, but isn’t without its pitfalls. Gardeners make mistakes when growing vegetables all the time. Regardless, have fun while doing it, experiment with different vegetables, and learn from it.
Use garden art or cool planters and plant signs to transform your garden into a fun and vibrant space.