When you first decide to plant a garden, you may only have in mind the prospect of enjoying all those fresh, good-tasting vegetables. But achieving that result will take careful planning as well as time and hard work. Sometimes people overdo it at first, aren’t able to keep up with the weeding and watering, and let the garden go to ruin. Then they decide gardening is not for them. To avoid this, plan conservatively according to the time you have available. Once you have succeeded on a small scale, you can always increase your garden in the future.
Should you plant only your favorite vegetables? Or should you plant lots of broccoli because it is good for you, even thought you don’t particularly like it? Since motivation is a factor when it comes to taking the necessary time to maintain a garden, many advise starting with your favorites. First make sure they will grow well in the soil and amount of sun you have available. Tomatoes and sweet corn are nearly universal favorites. Your home grown ones will beat the commercial ones in taste every time. This knowledge will keep you out there watering and weeding.
A garden rake, two or three different tools for weeding and cultivating, a watering can and a garden hose, a shovel and a trowel. With these tools you are ready to begin. You may want to add more tools as you become an experienced gardener, but these are enough to start with. Cultivating between the rows keeps weeds from getting started and aerates the soil. The tomato roots especially need air in the soil to grow well.
Your plants need good soil, water, and fertilizer, but most of all they need sunlight.
Depending on your climate, you may seldom need to water your garden, or you may need to be out there with a hose several times a week. You will want to figure this into your planning before you start. Watering can be a time-consuming chore. But it can also be a pleasant time outdoors in the fresh air.
There may be a particular disease going around, sometimes due to dampness, during the summer. If so, you may need to treat it with some chemical or else lose your crop of tomatoes or some other vegetable for that year. However, the regular use of pesticides is generally not necessary. Your motive for gardening may be to produce your own organic vegetables. In that case, you will want to avoid commercial products. There are, however, natural remedies that can greatly reduce pests while keeping your garden “organic.” A simple chicken wire fence will keep out the rabbits, gophers and other animals that want to get to your ripening produce before you do.
These tips will give you a lot to think about as you plan your garden. As your plans go forward, you will learn more and more from experience. You will find out how much work goes into successful gardening, but you will also reap its immeasurable rewards.
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