With people working from home or trying to save as much money as possible, growing a vegetable garden might be in the plans for the spring. A garden can be started any time of the year, but spring is usually the best time due to sales on supplies and the variety of vegetables that can be grown. Before a beginner starts to grow their own vegetables, however, there are a few things they should know.
1. Planning the Garden Beds is Crucial
Creating a garden plan should be the first step taken, as this is a crucial part of growing vegetables. Along with making sure the garden bed is large enough for the vegetables being planted, it’s necessary to make sure the beds face the correct direction, get sufficient light, can be watered easily, and are easily accessible for harvesting the vegetables. Beginners may want to work with an idaho falls landscaping company to get help making sure the garden beds are ready for vegetables to be planted.
2. Learn When to Plant Different Vegetables
Some vegetables love the heat while others prefer cooler temperatures. Lettuce and other greens typically prefer cooler temperatures, while peas, hot peppers, and green beans may do better when it’s hotter outside. Planting at the wrong time of the year will mean the plants aren’t likely to be as successful. If it’s too hot, for instance, lettuce will bolt. This means it turns bitter and starts producing seeds, so it can’t be harvested anymore.
3. Learn How to Deal with Common Pests
Pests can decimate a vegetable garden seemingly overnight, so it’s important to learn how to deal with them before they appear. Learn what pests are common for the immediate area and look into ways to naturally deal with pests to minimize the chemicals used in the garden beds. It’s also a good idea to look into when the pests appear and what the recommended planting dates for the vegetables are. If something is planted at the wrong time of year, even though it may grow, it could be more susceptible to pests, so planting at the right time can help prevent this.
4. Know When to Harvest Vegetables
When is a tomato ready to be picked? Is it okay to pick it while it’s still green? How do you tell if a melon is ripe and ready to be picked? Learn the signs that show a vegetable is ripe and ready to be picked, as well as which ones will ripen off the plant. This way, vegetables aren’t picked too early or left on the plant long enough to rot or attract more pests that will eat the ripe vegetables.
5. Know How to Store the Vegetables
It’s exciting to pick a few carrots and cook them for dinner. When all 200 carrot seeds produce carrots, however, it’s necessary to store the majority of them. Learn how to store the vegetables grown in the garden to avoid having to give them all away or eat carrots every day for the next two weeks. The right storage methods can greatly extend the shelf life of vegetables, and most options are easy to do.
Ready to grow a garden? Before jumping in, take the time to learn more about the vegetables you plan on growing. This way, you have a much higher chance of success for your first garden and can continue growing fresh vegetables to feed your family.
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