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.
