Our health professionals incessantly emphasize the relevance of including a wide array of fresh vegetables in our daily diets. They highlight the presence of not just commonly known nutrients but also vital micro-nutrients. However, the rising cost of store-bought vegetables can be a concern. Further, the benefits of organic vegetables bring us to consider starting our own home vegetable gardens.
Before you commence digging and planting, there are certain preparatory steps to adhere to. Familiarize yourself with your region’s climate, the suitable period for planting, and the ideal crops to grow. While you might not be able to cultivate all your favorite vegetables, you can certainly grow a considerable variety. Ensure you understand their specific soil needs, growth requirements, and potential threats from pests and diseases. Resources for this information could be your local library, the internet, or your area’s agricultural extension office.
Involve your family in deciding which vegetables to grow. Regardless of the nutritional content, there’s no use cultivating spinach if no one prefers eating it. That being said, consider introducing a new vegetable to your garden annually. The enhanced flavor of homegrown produce may just turn your family into spinach lovers.
Before beginning, it’s vital to have your soil tested. Should the pH balance need correction, integrate a suitable additive while tilling the ground before planting. This is a reasonably priced step; for example, a 50-pound bag of lime costs less than $5 and can effectively neutralize acidic soil.
Most backyard soils could use some enhancement. You might need to purchase compost in the first year, unless you can get it free from your local town that composts collected leaves and grass cuttings. After a couple of years, these form a humus-rich compost. Once your garden is operational, you might decide to make your own compost, incorporating it into your garden soil annually to maintain a fertile growing environment.
Mulching is beneficial when done right. Using too much early on can potentially stifle your plants and foster mold due to excessive moisture retention. However, the correct amount can help retain moisture during hot summer days and suppress weeds, sparing you tedious weeding work— a common gardener’s pitfall during the summer months.
Once your garden planning is complete and you’re ready to commit to the seasonal work, you can sow those first seeds and seedlings. The joy of watching them grow and yield a bountiful harvest will be a gratifying return for your hard work.
