Start Small
People who start off big with a large vegetable garden without much previous experience are sure to be frustrated and overwhelmed and give up early.
They decide that it is not for them, which is very unfortunate because they will be deprived of the pleasure of eating vegetables from their own garden. Start vegetable gardening in a small patch first and then expand it as you gain experience.
There is a lot to learn about vegetable gardening. Your initial successes will encourage you to continue.
Take care of the soil.
Begin with good
soil and keep improving it continuously. The
soil is improved by cultivation and application of
organic matter like
compost,
organic mulches, aged
manure, and cover crops.
The
soil must be tilled to control weeds and mix the
organic matter with the
soil. Prepare the
soil properly before planting. Plants grow well in loose, deep, and well drained
soil with good humus content.
Time-Saving Planting Ideas
For planting seeds, lay out a straight row using a garden reel – a piece of garden twine attached to two stakes. Put the stake in the ground at one end of the row, unreel the twine, and insert the other stake at the end of the row. To lay out a garden bed, use a similar technique, marking the square or rectangular perimeter of the bed using four stakes and twine.
An easy way to make a furrow for planting seeds is to lay down the handle of your iron rake or hoe and press it into the ground. For setting out transplants, use a yardstick and mark common planting distances with a permanent marker.
Why not give some of these suggestions a try and make your gardening life easier? Over time you’re sure to come up with a few planting tips of your own!