Growing vegetables in your own back garden

Are you getting your five-a-day for better health? We’re talking about fruits and vegetables, of course. Growing your own vegetables saves money and allows you to enjoy better quality food. With summer right around the corner, begin planting your garden now to harvest the benefits of savings and better health all season long.

Choose what to plant carefully, especially when you plant a garden for the first time. You also want to plant vegetables to eat throughout the summer. Create cool summer meals beginning with a salad of lettuce, cucumbers and radishes. Carrots, beans, squash and peas make great side dishes. Green onions and herbs add delicious flavor to your recipes.
Pick the right spot for the best growing conditions. Your garden area needs between 5 and 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. If you live in a very hot area, your vegetables will grow fine with a few hours of afternoon shade. Prepare your soil well by turning it over and mixing in mulch or manure. Seed packets provide tips on when to begin planting in your area.

Make sure you have the right equipment. Investing in only the essentials helps you save more money. You need a shovel for turning over your soil. Use your shovel to make rows for planting, but you might want to buy a hoe for this purpose. A small garden trowel helps with planting and weeding chores. Depending on the vegetables you choose, you might need stakes and twine to support plants such as peas and beans. Garden markers remind you what vegetables you planted in each location. A pair of gardening gloves will protect your hands and nails.
To grow a great garden, water it right. Regular water helps your vegetables grow and taste better. Vegetables need different amounts of water, but watering 1 to 3 inches a week should be enough to keep the soil properly moist. Avoid watering during the heat of the day. Use mulch to hold in moisture and avoid watering too often. A soaker hose offers an easy way to put the water where plants need it most.
Stores charge extra for vegetables grown without pesticides. You save by growing them yourself.

 

If you choose types of plants that resist disease and care for your garden properly you may not need to use pesticides or fertilizer. Prevent slugs and snails from visiting your vegetable garden by watering in the morning instead of at night. If you need to kill pests, choose a product made for edible plants.
It’s easy to grow your own vegetables by following these simple tips. Save money by growing healthy produce without dangerous pesticides. With careful planning and a little effort, you can enjoy delicious vegetables all summer long. Improve your health and enjoy eating five vegetables a day, right from your own garden.

 

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