Tips and tricks for the beginner through to the avid gardener

by Katie Hunter

If you are starting a vegetable garden, here are some things you should remember.

Choose a spot in full sun.

Most vegetables and herbs need full sun to thrive, this means six or more hours of direct sunlight.

Figure out how you're going to water your garden.

If you have to carry watering cans to your garden everyday, consider setting up a soaker hose which delivers water to the roots directly. This method is more efficient then overhead sprinklers which allows some water to evaporate.

Do a soil test.

Evaluate the soil pH and nutrient levels. Some plants depend heavily on specific PH levels. This test can prevent wasting money on adding nutrients you may not need, right?

Start your garden small.

Remember if you don’t like weeding your plants will not do well, watch for potential pests and disease.

What size of garden is perfect for beginners?

Start with a bed that’s no larger than 100 sqft or 10’x10’ or smaller. Raised gardens are a great option as well, or try container gardening. For anyone who may not have the right amount of sunlight or poor soil, try growing your vegetables in large pots. This option, allows you to move your vegetables around your place, to capture the needed sun.

Grow what you love.

Start with a few types of veggies you like and a few plants of each. You may get more satisfaction in growing, eating and harvesting veggies you love.

Buy seeds and seedlings from reliable nurseries.

Check out local nurseries for unique varieties and gardening companies which have been around for years. 'No name' seeds could be poor quality with low germination rates. Online nurseries can offer a larger section, but need to be scrutinized carefully. Make sure you check their shipping options as well.

Plant a combination of seeds and seedlings.

Seeds are cheaper, but if your growing veggies like tomatoes, peppers and eggplants it’s a short season. It would be best to start these seeds early or buy seedlings. However, for others like cucumbers, squash, peas, beans, carrots and herbs get those seeds in the ground.

Watch for problems.

Experienced gardeners will tell you, pests and diseases can appear overnight. Look for unusual spots on your plants, such as wilting leaves, spotted or yellowing leaves, chewed holes or masses of odd-looking bugs. Identify the problem first and then treat it right away.

Plant flowers, too.

As the years go by, we have learned planting flowers with your veggie plants are beneficial. Many veggies, such as cucumbers and squash, require insect pollinators, as well as beneficial bugs, to take care of some of the bad bugs which want to eat your veggies before you can. Sweet alyssum, marigolds, and certain herbs are some great options, along with many others.

Enjoy your garden.

Make it a habit to spend time in your garden. Pay attention to what’s happening, like pollinators buzzing, teeny-tiny tomatoes forming, hummingbirds visiting. Part of the joy of gardening is the daily discovery of what’s new, beautiful and interesting.

So why not try gardening? Wether you're a beginner with a couple veggie plants and flowers or an avid gardener like me, we are all learning something new or learning what not to do for the following year. I am learning to fully enjoy everything we plant, with our kids, and what we don’t eat we make into our own sauces, for canning and pickling.

These tips and more can be found online, at Country Living Magazine.