Gardening is known for its therapeutic effects; it helps people relax while staying physically active. If your house has a garden, then you have to treat it as an investment. Do not just waste that space; you can plant things you like. Flowers are beautiful and all, but you cannot eat them. Not only does planting crops give you fresh produce, but they also add to the aesthetic of your garden and showcases your eco-friendly tendencies. If you plan on starting a food garden but do not know how to go about it, you have come to the right place.
We offer you the ultimate list of the aspects you should keep in mind and other practices to avoid at all costs if you want to have a healthy food garden.
1. Do: Use organic fertilisers
It is an open secret that the food we buy from supermarkets is full of chemicals and can even be genetically mutated. You do not want these chemicals to enter your body, but at the same time, you want to plant healthy crops. So, how can you overcome this dilemma? The answer is organic fertilisers. However, if you are unsure about the type you want to go for, you can read more here in order to make the right choice and get the healthiest crops possible. Manure and compost are the most common types of natural fertilisers, yet choosing the right fertiliser depends on many considerations, such as your budget and type of crop. Thus, do your homework and definitely avoid chemical fertilisers.
2. Don’t: Pick a shaded spot
Sun is a plant’s best friend, as they need it to grow and give you plenty of yield. If your garden has shaded areas, avoid them because they will not do your plants much good. Instead, find a spot that can give your plants at least 6 hours of sunlight every day. Also, make sure that it has good air circulation.
If trees within your garden are blocking light from your vegetable plot, consider thinning out the tree branches to allow more light through. If you need expert advice on the best way to do this, check out The Local Tree Experts at: https://www.thelocaltreeexperts.com/tn/memphis/.
3. Do: Plant based on seasons
If you live in a place where the climate is always hot, you better plant crops that need warm soil and temperatures like cucumber, melons, peppers, and squash. In a similar vein, do not plant cool-season crops, such as peas, onions, and cabbage in the dead of summer to avoid wasting your time, effort, and money.
4. Don’t: Plant crops you do not like
Although your options are limited according to the seasons, do not plant cabbage if you do not like it just because it happens to be winter. You should wait for the appropriate season to plant your favourite crops because the point of having a food garden is to supply your household with the food you like. So, do not plant crops you will not eat unless you plan on selling the produce.
5. Do: Water your plants regularly
Even crops that do not need much water do require it in the early stages up until the seeds sprout and take root. So, if your local climate is not rainy, you should water your plants regularly. Nevertheless, too much water can drown the plant. Therefore, a drip irrigation system can be a lifesaver since it saves time and can be automatically turned off when you set a timer.
6. Don’t: Put plants too close
You want to make the most out of the space you have. Nonetheless, you do not want to forget keeping enough space between plants. Every crop type needs enough space to take root and reach its full potential. When you overcrowd your garden, you prevent your crops from reaching their full size. Subsequently, you will get less produce. The harvest weight you get from one plant is more important than the number of plants in a square foot.
7. Do: Utilise climbing plants
The above tip works better if you have a big garden. However, if your garden is small or you are living in an apartment and using your rooftop to plant food, then climbing plants will be your best bet. They help you maximise the yield without taking up too much space. You can grow most types of plants vertically through supporting them by stages, fences, or trellises. This method also reduces fungal diseases, as they cannot spread well vertically, thus giving you healthier crops.
Planting your own crops can be the ultimate dream; it guarantees that the food you and your family are consuming is healthy and free of any chemicals. Despite the fact that growing a food garden is not rocket science, it requires dedication and avid research on different crops. Make sure that you also seek the advice of farmers nearby to get the best home-grown produce.
Featured image: Zanda Photography/Unsplash
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