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The vegetable garden - gardening basics

- Select an area in your garden that receives 6 hours or more of full sun per day.

- Till the ground and add organic matter back into the garden soil, mixing well.

- Visit your local garden centre for young plants of vegetables that you enjoy.

- Select seeds (plants may not be available. Seeds are certainly cheaper).

- Select varieties that are resistant to disease.

- Anticipate pests, and plant at least twice what you'll need.

- Allow enough space between plantings to provide good air circulation.

- Water often, checking a few inches below the soil line for dryness. Don't allow plants to wilt.

- Use a garden fertiliser especially formulated for summer vegetables, following the package directions.

- Pull up weeds as they sprout. (Its an important gardening job!)

- Visit the garden daily to spot and eliminate bugs, disease and weeds.

- Water if there's not at least 1 inch of rainfall per week.

This aspect of gardening really pays off when it comes to time to eat the produce.