Are you satisfied with the last season you harvested? All those tomato plants you had, and got 6 beef steak tomatoes. Did that happen to you? This year, the number one your plan is to have a garden with tons of vegetables to harvest, and not just TOMATOES!
And this year, you even up the ante! because you are aware of what those chemicals, like fertilizers and pesticides, could do to your health, you only want an organic garden. Well, now, forget about last season. If you follow these simple tips, you can say hello to a great garden you’ve always wanted!
Tip #1: What vegetable should I plant? First, you should think of what vegetables you and your family usually love to eat. Then, throw in some expensive vegetable to really save money at the market.
Like, those lettuces in a mesclun salad, they’re much more expensive than iceberg lettuce, orange peppers and the red ones are more expensive than the green ones. Aside from that, why don’t you try some of the heirloom tomatoes like the popular Brandywine? Really, have fun with it.
Tip #2: Raised Beds— Instead of digging beds into your garden soil, why not build or buy a raised bed? This will save you a lot of time, believe it or not. Fill it with the appropriate soil and compost.
Raised beds are great for proper water drainage, and you control the soil conditions. You have healthier soil, and less weeds. If you don’t make your own compost, you can buy some bagged compost.
Read our page about raised bed gardening.
Tip #3: Keep it small— The more you plant the more you have to work. So, keep your organic garden small and manageable. Learn more about which vegetables work well in a small garden.
Tip #4: Garlic Bulbs are a big help— This will help deter pests away from plants. You know the ones you see lurking beyond the garden gate. Or, perhaps the little ones you don’t see that are hiding under the leaves.
Garlic is a companion plant to some vegetables, like beets, tomatoes, and lettuce. Learn more about companion planting.
Tip #5: Put up a fence—This will keep your plants safe from pests and other animals. Learn more about garden fencing options.
Tip #6: Soil Temperature—Make sure that your soil is the proper temperature for the vegetables before planting. If you have a short growing season, start your seeds indoors or build a coldframe to start the seeds.
Tip #7: Water, water—we all know that water is essential for plants to grow. Water consistently and water vegetables deeply! Water the roots! You don’t take a shower without washing your feet, right? Here’s a good guide to watering a vegetable garden.
