Gardening 101! What is it and how does one begin to grow tomatoes, cucumber, carrots and so much more in your own backyard. Not sure where to start? We are here to help.
If you have never grown your own veggies, it might seem like a daunting task. However, it’s really pretty easy. The Farmer’s Almanac created this awesome list of basic facts you need to know when getting started on your garden!
PICK THE RIGHT LOCATION
Picking a good location for your garden is absolutely key. A sub-par location can result in sub-par veggies! Here are a few tips for choosing a good site:
- Plant in a sunny location. Most vegetables need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. There are a few veggies that will tolerate some shade.
- Plant in moist, well-drained soil. If you have poorly drained soil (water pools), plant veggies in a raised bed. If you have rocky soil, till and remove the rocks.
- Plant in a stable environment. Avoid places that receive strong winds could knock over your young plants or keep pollinators from doing their job. Nor do you want to plant in a location that receives too much foot traffic or floods easily. Plant in a location that would make Goldilocks proud.
CHOOSING A PLOT SIZE: START SMALL!
Remember: It’s better to be proud of a small garden than be frustrated by a big one!
One of the most common errors that beginners make is planting too much too soon—way more than anybody could ever eat or want! Unless you want to have zucchini taking up residence in your attic, plan your garden with care. Start small, and only grow what you know you’ll eat.
It’s also important to choose vegetables to grow that your family will actually enjoy. While tomatoes, zucchini, cabbage, and peppers are among the most popular vegetables to grow, you will want your family to like what you are growing! Remember to also not plant too much! It would be a shame to grow all those great veggies and no one eat them.
We at Stone Creek Landscaping love to grow gardens at our homes, so if you have questions, please feel free to ask us! We’d love to help you out whether with Gardening 101 or creating a spectacular lawn!