It’s no secret that eating healthy, nutrient-dense foods is good for you. It decreases your risk of chronic disease, boosts your immune system and mood, reduces inflammation, and the likelihood of developing cancerous cells.
Starting a vegetable garden is one way of making sure that these fresh vegetables are readily available all year long. It’s time to jump in and make your garden the best it can be! Read on for some tips on how to start your own vegetable garden.
What Items Do You Need For The Vegetable Garden?
There are lots of ways to lay out your plans but there’s no reason to stick to “traditional” styles of raised beds or trellises. For example, installing a composite fence and deck will offer a contemporary, modern look for your vegetable garden. You can look up online the cost to install vinyl fence and why it’s a good idea to have one.
The vegetables you want to grow will dictate the size and style of your garden. For instance, root vegetables that grow vertically require tall stakes or trellises to support the plant and its fruits. Some common garden vegetables that benefit from vertical growing include tomatoes, squashes, and cucumbers. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Get a Plan
Create a master plan in your backyard with sketches, photos, and other visual aids. Planning your garden is essential so that you know exactly what you are planting and how much space you will need.
You can use graph paper to sketch everything out or if you want a more professional-looking design, use SketchUp garden design. This allows you to create 3D designs, establish garden beds and build any structures or fences needed for your garden. You may check www.cedarmountainfence.com to see what type of fences are good for your garden.
Another item that is essential for your planning is an area map of your garden. Having this map will help with the placement of plants, paths, and other structures within the garden.
Get Seeds
You can buy seeds from seed companies, or search online to buy cheap seedlings. It’s not always as cost-effective, though, to go with cheap seeds and seedlings since you’re going to have to transplant and grow them outdoors. You want to get healthy plants and good varieties, so it’s worth investing in good-quality seeds.
Set Up Your Space
Buy or borrow a trowel, shovel, and rake from friends or family members who may already have these items tucked away, or find one at your local thrift store.
Next, line the bottom of the garden space with stones (or any type of gravel), which will serve as drainage and prevent soil erosion around plants. Prepare the ground according to the surrounding area’s conditions in order for plants to thrive there.
Find Pots
Pots and seed trays are pieces of equipment that every gardener needs in their arsenal. These are what you use to transplant the plants once they’re ready to be placed in the ground. You can use cheap plastic pots (make sure to get durable ones), or full-sized clay pots with drainage holes.
Plastic pots are often more cost-effective and come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them easier to find for beginners. Rinsed-out meat tray packaging also make great seedling trays.
Plant the Seeds and Seedlings
When planting your crops, be sure to level out the soil around them first before planting. This will ensure that your plants are the same height, and that they won’t be damaged by one another. Plant the seeds in a single row, 3 to 4 inches apart, and cover them with soil on top.
