Monday, February 23, 2009

How to plan a vegetable garden

By Petra Spink

Not only is a putting out a vegetable garden a way to healthy eating, but it in itself can be very rewarding. When you are planning a vegetable garden, you have the satisfaction of knowing they are healthy and there were no harmful chemicals put on them. You can grow only the vegetables that you and your family love.

Sometimes people are turned off by vegetable gardens, arguing that they will be too difficult or time-consuming. In fact, it really can be simple and fun! If you follow some simple steps, you can create a great source for enjoyment and have healthy, delicious vegetables your family will enjoy eating.

Make sure that you choose a bright sunny area that receives at least six hours of sunlight. If you are planning on growing spinach or lettuce or other leafy crops than it will be fine if you choose a more shady area as these are more tolerant of shade and cooler temperatures.

There are things you can do to improve the quality of your soil. For instance, consider adding any of the following: compost, leaf mold, rotted manure, peat moss or other types of organic matter. While it is true that it is difficult to grow things in clay soil, adding vermiculite or humus will enable draining thus making it a more viable option. Squeeze a handful of soil to see if it crumbles while still retaining its shape. If that's the case, you're pretty much set and need only to add in basic enriching materials.

Mulching around the plants in your vegetable garden in early summer is crucial. A thick layer of mulch applied will improve the moisture retention in the area around the plants as well as deter weeds and some insects. Good mulch products include compost, straw, hay, or shredded bark.

If you are planning a vegetable garden for the long term, then you should think about putting in a drip irrigation system for watering your garden. Your vegetables will get water directly from your drip irrigation system in their roots where the vegetables need it most. You can also put a timer on the irrigation system that will allow the system to come on at the time you have it set for.

Choosing the vegetables that you will be growing is very important. You want to choose the ones that will grow the best in your soil and ones that both you and your family will enjoy. Many people will experiment and grow things that they find they don't even like, so when planning a vegetable garden, focus on the varieties you truly enjoy eating.

When you are able to feed your kids homegrown, top quality vegetables it really is a great feeling. You are doing your very best for them and they can only benefit from your hard work. Don't let a lack of experience put you off or knock your confidence. Even the experts had to start somewhere. If you follow their lead, with a bit of effort and dedication you will reap the benefits for years to come. - 15634

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