With Spring just around the corner its time to start planning your garden. Here are ten tips to help your garden flourish.
1 If you are a beginner to vegetables, start small and dont get frustrated. Remember that no one is born with a green thumb – gardening takes a lot of practice.
2 Choose two locales in your yard, one shaded and one that receives bright light most of the day. These two locations will allow you to grow a variety of vegetables and herbs no matter the type of light the plant needs.
3 Raised beds are a great way to make vegetable gardens easy. Instead of spending hours upon hours tilling up an area of your lawn just build a simple elevated bed, fill in with soil, and plant away.
4 Make sure the location you pick for your garden will fit harmoniously into your already existing outdoor living space. Placing gardens next to places you already frequent in your yard will help you be a better steward.
5 When planting in March and April, be sure to have a back-up plan just in case a later frost occurs. A layer of plastic over the garden on cold nights can protect your bounty just enough.
6 Be aware of animals that may take advantage of your hardwork. Choose locations in your yard that butt up to fences and provide barriers, either wire, wood, or plastic for the exposed locations. Scarecrows are always useful.
7 Mulch your soil. It will conserve water, replace nutrients and protect the vegetables from cool temperatures. It also keeps the weeds down.
8 If you dont have room for a garden or raised bed because you live in an apartment or condominum, you can still have a great garden by taking advantage of bright windows and potted fruits and vegetables.
9 Veggie gardens dont have to look dishoveled and rag tag. Quite the opposite, if you really put some thought into your garden design and add certain features, from stone walkways and other stonescapes to beautiful wooden dividers and fences, it will only add to the aesthetic of your home.
10 Remember to harvest when ready. Plants like tomatoes and other various fruits will produce more if they dont have to support fruit that is ready to be picked.
