There’s a novelty to having a green thumb. After all, growing a vegetable garden is one small step to self-sufficiency, and one small step to starting a vegetable farm.
However, beginner gardeners tend to make a lot of mistakes. Most of these missteps come from misunderstandings of basic gardening concepts. If vegetable gardening was as easy as science projects go, you would’ve had sprawling greenery in your yard. But you’re here, reading this. So, you need help.
Before ever thinking of improving yields, you should manage your expectations and check if you’ve done these tips, including installing deer fences around your garden so the deer do not eat your bounty before you do, first to successfully grow your vegetable garden.
Tips to Grow Your Own Vegetable Garden:
Location, location, location
New Zealand has a temperate climate, with the far north having subtropical weather during summers and the south being as chilly as -10°C during wintertime.
Aotearoa’s climate makes it easy for you to plant vegetables in your home. All you need is to make sure your backyard receives the right amount of sunlight, is close to water, and is protected from the elements, such as strong winds and frost. Your garden’s location can be a deciding factor whether you’ll grow plants right or not.
Have good soil to plant vegetables in
Soil health and quality is another vital factor when growing a vegetable garden. After all, it’s close to impossible to grow greens in barren soil. Much like the human body, feeding the soil with chemicals can render it unhealthy and impoverished. Using natural fertilizers, including compost, can enrich the soil, improving its health and quality. If the soil is poor, to begin with, soil remediation techniques, such as using a liquid-ring vacuum pump to suck up contaminated groundwater, can bring a new lease on life to the said soil.
Start small
Biting off more than you can chew is one reason beginner gardeners fail. Instead of taking on a big responsibility immediately, start small. Find yourself a small plot of land to tend to. You can also start with potted plants, first, before moving into regular plots. Raised beds tend to be suitable for beginner gardeners’ needs as they’re more manageable. Make sure to focus first on easy-to-grow crops, at least, until you learn how to take care of other kinds of vegetables. Starting small will save you a lot of time and heartbreak when it comes to gardening.
Spacing is important
The Efficient use of space can be beneficial for your garden in a myriad of ways. Giving them little space to grow won’t maximize your vegetable yields nor let them reach their full potential. Try planting them in triangles to fit 10-14% more plants per raised beds. Going vertical can be an efficient use of space as well; install trellises to grow tomatoes and the like.
Plant and harvest at the right time
Plant vegetables as the season dictate. Some vegetables grow best in cooler seasons, some in warmer ones. Timing is everything when it comes to vegetable gardening. From the choice of plants to the whole gardening process, a pushback can ruin the whole harvest season for your crops.
You’ll gain a lot of yields with this process. While this can be considered a success, you’ll be wasting surplus vegetables you can’t eat or sell. So, combine that idea with a looser planting schedule; staggered planting can keep yields coming at a pace. No greens are wasted, and you’re not inclined to give away any extra harvests for networking and gift packs. Finally, you may want to get yourself garden kneeler and seat to make your gardening easily.
Growing vegetables in your backyard open many opportunities for you and your family. It requires a nominal amount of patience and a lot of understanding. Plant smart, plant right.
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