With summer approaching quickly, we recommend this small project that will bring you great benefits while also leading to some savings. Here are five important aspects to consider in order to be successful with your vegetable garden this summer:
If you are just starting out, we strongly recommend that you begin with a container vegetable garden, since doing so will make the process easier. Vegetable gardens must have a good foundation, in other words, good soil to grow in. In addition, it is of the utmost importance to select soil that is rich in organic matter, because it will provide the soil with structure by offering more nutrients to your plants, leading to the perfect balance of oxygen, water, and nutrients. To give your plants a little help, you can also purchase fertilizer, ideally of the organic variety, such as crab meal or poultry litter. These products can be easily found in nurseries and garden centres.
It is also important to know how to choose the right plants. If this is your first experience with a vegetable garden, we recommend that you start small, with herbs such as basil, parsley, cilantro, and thyme. You can also use the companion planting method, which consists in planting two types of plants together to provide the best environment possible and to ensure that they develop nicely. For example, if you want to grow a tomato plant, it is highly recommended that you grow it next to basil to stimulate growth and improve fruit quality.
When it comes to watering, it is important to know that a vegetable garden needs a lot of love and attention. You should be watering your pots daily, preferably in the morning. When you water your plants at night in the dark, they will absorb less water. As a result of the colder temperature and the accumulation of water, your plants will remain humid throughout the night, which could lead to diseases and mushrooms. If you are trying to reduce your water consumption, try collecting rain water to water your plants!
Another very important aspect is sunlight. When the time comes for you to select where to place your garden, choose an area where your plants will be exposed to sunlight for as long as possible during the day. Some plants, however, require less sun than others (4 to 6 hours instead of 6 or more hours).
Our last tip is that your garden will require some upkeep and effort on your part. As mentioned above, you will need to water it regularly, but also to take the time to inspect it whenever you can, in order to detect the presence of diseases or mushrooms. In addition, we suggest that you cut back your herbs from time to time to facilitate their growth.
With these tips for creating your own home vegetable garden in hand, you will discover a great sense of pride and accomplishment when consuming vegetables you have grown yourself. Take advantage of the opportunity to educate your children on the benefits of home gardening, and give them responsibility by asking for their help to take care of the garden.
