We hear so much these days from nutritionists about the importance to our health of eating a variety of fresh vegetables. We learn that they contain not only the nutrients we already knew about, but micro-nutrients as well that are essential to our health. Meanwhile, the cost of vegetables goes up at the store. Add to this the advantages of organically grown vegetables, and you have plenty of reasons to start your own vegetable garden.
Here are some preliminary steps to take before you turn over any ground with a shovel. Study up on the facts about your climate zone, planting times and optimal crops. You may not be able to grow all the vegetables you are fond of, but you will probably be able to grow most of them. To assure success, find out the soil needs of the ones you want to plant, how to nurture them, and what pests and diseases to look out for. This information is available from your library, the Internet, or your local agricultural extension office.
Sit down with your family and let them put in their choices of which vegetables to grow. However nutritious, there is no point in growing spinach if no one wants to eat it. On the other, you may want to add a new vegetable to your garden each year, even if it is not a favorite. Homegrown vegetables have so much more flavor than ones bought at the supermarket that your family may decide they like spinach after all.
Having a soil sample analyzed before you start is essential. If the PH balance needs adjusting, you want to till in an additive at the beginning, before you plant. This is not a big expense. A 50 pound bag of lime costs less than $5. Tilling the right amount into an acidic soil will bring it into balance.
The soil in most peoples’ backyards needs some enriching. The first year you will probably need to buy compost, unless you can pick it up from you local town for free. Many towns compost the leaves and grass clippings they accumulate. After a couple of years these make a rich compost full of humus. Once you start your garden, you will probably want to make your own compost, and till it into the garden soil each year. This will keep your garden producing abundantly.
Mulch can be good, but it can also be overdone. The trick is to use enough and not too much. Too much mulch early on can overwhelm your plants. It can also encourage mold if it retains too much moisture. The right amount of mulch, though, can help the plant roots retain needed moisture through hot summer days. Above all, it can keep the weeds down, which saves you a lot of tiresome work. Keeping up with the weeding in July and August is where most gardeners fail at some time.
Once you have planned your garden and are ready to take on working at it throughout the summer, you are ready to put those first seeds and seedlings into the ground. Seeing them grow and produce a harvest will amply reward your efforts.
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