Isn’t it strange how out of all the food you can get in the supermarket, vegetables are usually one of the most expensive? It is cheaper to eat an unhealthy diet than a healthy one.
However, it doesn’t have to be that way, if you have plenty of garden space, a green finger, and a desire to cut down the costs of food for you and your family, you can give home growing vegetables a try!
It is not too difficult, it is actually really simple! Just get started with our guide on how to do this!
Let’s get started!
The First Things You Need To Do
First of all, you will need to do some planning. This means deciding on what you will grow. Deciding on what to grow will also dictate what you need. If you want to grow fruits like strawberries, or vegetables like avocados, you will probably need a greenhouse.
However, if you want to grow carrots, cabbages, and potatoes, a wooden trug for garden should be perfect. A wooden trug is a good idea to have.
While you can just plant in pots, or straight in the soil, this leaves too much freedom for pests to get at your plants, a wooden trug makes it harder for pests, and will make it easier for you to maintain the soil.
So, start off by picking out what you will grow.
Plan Ahead
Once you have decided what vegetables and fruit you will grow, it is now time to consider when they will need to be grown, where you need to create space, and how much equipment you will need.
If you want to grow multiple vegetables, consider a few wooden trugs, do you want a greenhouse too?
Know What You Need
Now it is time to go shopping. You will need to pick up the seeds, but you will also need to get the right soil, the right trugs, trowels, spades, fertilizer, a watering can/ sprinkler, and so on.
Put together a full shopping list, being careful not to leave anything out, then head to your local gardening store and get everything you need.
Choose Your Location
Don’t forget to pick your location. Any plant will need sunlight, but they will also need water and protection from the elements. Try to choose a sunny spot in your garden. If you have a fenced garden, you should find your plants to be well protected from the elements too.
Position your vegetable planters/ trugs where you think is best.
Some plants will need more sun than others, so it can also be wise to map about the sun during the day, and know where in your garden the sun hits for the longest.
Prepare The Soil
Mix the soil with a natural fertilizer to get the perfect soil condition for your plants. Although some composts will already have a natural fertilizer mixed in.
If you are using your own soil you can test its acidity in a garden store, or you could just buy ready-made soil in bulk. We recommend the latter option.
Create A Planting Calendar
Check the dates for your plants to be planted. Growing cycles and ripening cycles will vary from plant to plant. So, you do not sow seeds of all veg at the same time.
Get a calendar that will inform you of when you should be planting these seeds, and plant as and when they need to be sown.
Look at the ideal conditions as well, because not every year has ideal weather at the same time. Create a schedule for the best growth.
Monitor For Weeds & Pests
As your plants are growing, check on them regularly, keep an eye out for signs of weeds and pests, and catch them early. Some pests will give away tell-tale signs such as yellow leaves, others may not. If you notice pests you can use natural pesticides.
Weeds can be tricky as it depends on the weed itself, however, the earlier you catch it the better, and the less a chance of it spreading it will have.
Monitor Space
Monitor the space as your plants grow. If there are any areas where your plants are overcrowded, be sure to remove them and replant if you can. Overcrowded areas won’t grow well.
Fertilize
Do not forget to fertilize your plants as directed on the seed packets, add fertilizing times to your vegetable garden calendar, so you know when each vegetable needs some fertilizer. Avoid over fertilizing and under fertilizing if you can.