Tips for Growing a Veggie Garden

A garden provides you with fresh vegetables and gives you a productive form of exercise. The following tips offer you some suggestions for growing a bountiful vegetable garden.

One way to assure success with your vegetable garden is to plant it in a sunny location. If you plan to grow your garden in raised beds or containers, it’s essential that the plants have proper drainage. You also need to have good soil so that your plants will thrive. In conjunction with your garden preparation, you may also want to set up a compost system.

It’s up to you and your individual situation as to whether you start your plants from seeds or buy seedlings to plant in your garden. Be sure to follow the guidelines and instructions for starting plants from seeds in order to be successful. Some seeds do best when soaked, while others do not require soaking. Keep in mind that certain plants such as cucumbers, zucchini, squash and pumpkins do best with the direct sowing method.

Companion planting is a gardening technique well worth learning about and putting into practice. Companion planting means that you plant two different plants within close proximity of each other in order to achieve a certain benefit. For example, when you plant tomatoes near cabbage, the tomatoes repel the diamondback moth that is known to chew holes in cabbage leaves. Planting beans and corn together has multiple benefits. The bean vines can grow up the corn stalk. The beans attract beneficial insects that prey on pests that would damage the corn.

If possible, plant your vegetable garden so that you have easy access to it from your kitchen. Stepping right outside the door to pick a ripe tomato, squash or cucumber or fresh herbs enhances the enjoyment you’ll receive from your garden.

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