Visions of thick sliced tomatoes, crisp green beans and wedges of icy cold watermelon fresh from your garden can make your mouth water, but turning them into reality requires a certain amount of research and know-how. These strategies and suggestions on the best way best to produce an ample garden will help provide your loved ones members and friends with new vegetables all summer long.
Know Your Growing Seasons
If you’re new to the place you reside in or have never gardened before, then be confident that you’re aware of the area’s growing season. If you are from portions of the Midwest, you would normally plant your seeds in late April or early May after the last frost, but on the west shore, the best time to sow your seeds is rather different. As an example, there are no frost seasons in San Francisco, but in Sacramento the last spring frost is expected around February 10 and the first fall frost is anticipated to be around December 4. This compares to a last spring frost of May 9 and also a first fall frost of September 24 in Rapid City, South Dakota. As you can see, this would make a big difference in when you would plant your lawn. Often the best time to plant vegetables in California will depend on the plant itself. Some, such as the radish, may be implanted at any given time during the calendar year, while some can be planted more than once a year.
Be Educated on Sun and Shade Requirements
When selecting your seeds and seedlings, make sure you read the directions as to the amounts of sunlight and shade they prefer. If no instructions are contained, find out more about the plants in books and online to make sure that they are planted in the appropriate growing conditions. Many plants can’t handle the glare and heat of sunlight, while some, such as tomatoes and squash, thrive on glowing heat and light. Some grow best in the cool, sheltered shade, while some, such as leafy green vegetables, prefer partial shade. Placing seeds or plants in the wrong environment can stunt their growth or make them wither and perish.
Begin Plants Early by Beginning Indoors
Get a jump on the ample crop you would like by beginning your vegetable crops inside from seed. Once the danger of frost is over, they can be moved out to the garden area. You will be able to harvest your vegetables considerably earlier by getting a jump on plant development. Vegetables that grow well inside include tomatoes, broccoli and peppers.
Stagger Planting for a Persistent Harvest
After you’ve transplanted the seedlings you started inside, you may wish to also plant new seeds out. This will provide you with staggered growth of your vegetable plants, leading to an ongoing harvest. If time permits, you can even plant a third round of seeds. This works especially well for plants with short growing seasons, such as radishes.
Choose Appropriate Seeds and Plants
To get a really abundant harvest, it’s essential to choose those vegetable varieties that your family will adore. Many a gardener will probably go to the work and expense of planting eggplant and peppers that no one from their family will eat. Choose fundamental and well-loved varieties, such as tomatoes, green beans, peas, lettuce and broccoli, to provide your household with vegetables for soups, stews, casseroles and side dishes.