Tips to start a vegetable garden in your home
Who would not love to cook delicious culinary made out of fresh vegetables from own garden? Apart from getting vegetables for your house use, you can also make some extra money by selling them in the market. Having a green patch of vegetable garden in your home can be of great use. Here are some tips on building the perfect vegetable garden for your needs;
Before you start your vegetable garden keep the below points in mind;
- Decide if you want a vegetable garden for own use or to sell in the market.
- Should you cultivate plants in a container or on the ground?
- Decide on the measurement and how big the patch should be.
- Choose plants based on the season.
Start your own vegetable garden:
Choose a site:
The first thing you need to do is to choose a place where you think will be perfect for your vegetable garden. Ensure that the chosen place gets adequate sunlight and water access. Do not choose land near large trees or buildings which will block the sunlight from falling on to the plants. Ensure that you build a proper drainage system.
Decide about the kind of seeds to be planted:
Make sure that you choose seeds based on the season. You can grow vegetables which you think are expensive in the market. Some of the vegetables which you can grow are bush bean, tomato, cucumber, pepper, lettuce, summer squash, and leafy greens.
Method of cultivation:
There are different methods of plant cultivation and the growth of plants depends on the soil structure of the land. Once you choose the seeds, decide if you want the land to be tilled or have the seeds planted on a raised bed. It is advisable that you have the vegetable garden on the lower ground.
The right kind of soil:
Another important aspect to grow a healthy vegetable garden is to choose the right kind of soil. The soil of your garden should be deep and crumbly. You should also get the soil tested in order to determine the pH levels. Removal of weeds and producing a layer of compost for your plants are required.
How to plant?
Different types of seeds have different requirements. So, before you plant any seed, it is advisable to refer plant care directories or seed package for information on the type of the plants and how to maintain them. Decide whether to buy transplants or seeds from the store. Ensure that the seedlings you buy are not overgrown and are healthy looking.
Garden care:
It is important that you water plants regularly in order to keep the roots moist. Frequent shallow watering is required for newly planted seeds unlike mature plants. Ideally, watering plants in the morning is better. Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation system to reduce wastage of water. Use a fertilizer based on the nature of the soil and follow the instructions. Avoid the growth of weeds through organic mulches, slicing and chopping.
