How to Garden Vegetables in the Spring

Spring is the best time to start a new garden. After the chill of winter, the lure of fresh vegetables and colorful flowers is almost irresistible. Success requires a little preparation before you plant, but you will soon have a wonderful garden.

Things You'll Need

• Garden fork
• Steel rake
• Trowel
• Garden twine
• 2 small wood stakes
• Stirrup hoe
• Garden hose
• Watering wand

Instructions

1. Remove any weeds or large stones, then use a sturdy garden digging fork to loosen the soil. Wear boots, and push the fork as deep as you can with your foot. Then step back a little and use the fork handle as a lever to work the soil loose. Step back again, and repeat this process --backward -- all the way across your garden in a long strip. Dig up as many strips as needed to cover the whole garden.

2. Add enough good compost, available at garden centers, to cover the garden about 2 inches deep. Lightly rake this in to mix it with the top 3 or 4 inches of soil. Rake the whole garden so the surface is fairly flat. It doesn't need to be perfect. Just level out any noticeable high or low spots.

3. Mark the first row, using stakes and twine, where you will sow seeds or plant transplants (young plants). Straight rows, parallel to each other, are easier to care for. They will also help you tell your baby plants from baby weeds. Leave enough space between every three or four rows to use as a footpath, and avoid treading on the area where plants will grow.

4. Plant your seeds -- and read the directions. On the back of the seed packet you will discover how deep to bury them, and how far apart the seeds should be. If you're buying transplants, ask the garden center for planting instructions. Use a trowel to dig small holes for transplants, then gently firm the soil around their roots.

5. Connect the watering wand, which is like a gentle shower head, and water the planted area thoroughly. Don't flood it, just allow the water to slowly sink in. If the soil is dry, leave it for half an hour or so, then come back and water it again. With the trowel, or your finger, make sure the water is penetrating at least 2 inches down. That's where plant roots are, and the water has to reach them.

6. Scuff out any tiny weeds using the stirrup hoe once or twice a week. Your plants don't like competition, so catch weeds young when they are easy to dislodge. Water the garden so moisture sinks deep into the soil. A light sprinkle that just moistens the surface will not result in healthy plants.

Tips & Warnings

• If insects start eating your plants, don't panic. Learn the name of the insect from an insect identification guide, then ask your garden center for advice on dealing with that particular pest.

• When you sow seeds, don't allow the soil to dry out -- keep it just moist, not wet.

• If you feel you must use insecticides, read and follow the label warnings. Keep children and pets away, and wear any recommended protection yourself.