How to Start a Small Vegetable Garden
Growing vegetables in your own garden is beneficial in many ways, such as having access to fresh produce and reducing your food expenses. You don't have to own acres of land to grow your own vegetables. As a matter of fact, most experienced gardeners will strongly suggest that you "start out small" and this is particularly true for anyone new to gardening. Spend the time needed to plan your small vegetable garden and you will reap the rewards at harvest time. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Measuring device
- Spade
- Hoe
- Rake
- Mechanized tiller
- Compost
- Processed manure
- Peat moss
- Supports or stakes
- Seeds or transplants
- Hand trowel
- Fertilizer
Instructions
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Determine the best location for your vegetable garden to get an accurate size for planning. Find a site that is level with at least six hours of full sunlight. Pick a weed-free location with an accessible water supply and rich, well-draining soil.
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Measure the space available and create a diagram of it on paper to use in planning. Decide what vegetables you want to grow for your family, which will vary depending on your family's desires and your location in the country.
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Mark the location of each vegetable on the paper and include the planting dates. Place taller vegetables, such as corn, beans or peas on the north side. Start medium vegetables, such as tomatoes, cauliflower or squash in the middle. Grow shorter root vegetables and greens on the southern side.
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Prepare the area selected in the fall of the prior year or in early spring. Remove any plants, rocks or other debris. Break up the soil with garden hand tools or with a mechanical tiller and then add a thick layer of organic matter, including compost, processed manure and peat moss. Mix this thoroughly into the top 6 to 12 inches and then rake level.
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Put any supports, such as cages or stakes, in place before planting any of your vegetables. Wet the soil before sowing vegetables seeds at the depth and spacing suggested on the seed packets. Use a hand trowel to dig holes for vegetable transplants that are equivalent to the pot's dimensions. Saturate each transplant with water to settle the soil around the roots.
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Tips & Warnings
Choose vegetables suited for your region in the country. Contact your area's extension office or master gardener for more specific details to your location. Depending on your location and vegetables selected, you may be able to plan three small gardens a year for the same location -- one in the spring, one in the summer and one in the fall.
Test the soil in the area prior to starting your vegetable garden to learn what specific fertilizer or organic matter you should add to improve the soil and retest the soil every few years. Enrich the soil with a general all-purpose fertilizer, such as 10-10-10 or alike, if a soil test is not done. Follow the directions on the label for amounts and applications needed.
References
Resources
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