Happy Earth Day! We are so excited to share the bounty and beauty of spring with you all at the farmers market. Looking to harvest straight from home? Now is the perfect time to start prepping your own vegetable garden for an abundant growing season.
Pick the right location for your garden
It is very important that your plants get enough sunlight in order to photosynthesize and grow into strong, healthy plants. It is recommended to pick a spot that gets 6 – 8 hours of sun daily. Make sure the spot you choose has easy access to irrigation.
Get to know your soil…
What is the makeup of your soil? Is it clay-like? Sandy? Loamy? In order for your soil to have good tilth, it needs enough aeration in order for your plants to develop strong roots and hold water. If it is compacted, lightly till it using a broadfork if possible. Only till soil when necessary! Too much tilling can destroy structural qualities of soil. The ideal texture of your soil’s surface should be crumble-like by breaking up huge chunks of dirt with a hard rake or your bare hands.
Amending the soil will boost its nutrients and water-holding capacity. Organic amendments include wood byproducts such as sawdust and bark mulch, cured manure, grass or wheat straw, and compost. Inorganic amendments include pumice, perlite, and vermiculite. Inorganic amendments act as wedges that separate soil particles and increase the soil’s porosity so it can soak up more water for longer periods of time.
Applying 1-2 layers of mulch will also help with controlling noxious weeds.
Know your plants’ needs
Every plant has different needs. Some vegetables are shade-tolerant, and some need full sun. Some plants also require less water than others, and some tend to be very thirsty. Make sure to do a little research ahead of time before planting. Do not baby your plants! Only give them what they need. Only water plants when they are dry. This may mean that they do not need to be watered everyday, especially with the cooler weather. Showing some ‘tough love’ in the early stages will result in a sturdier plant that can survive extreme weather conditions.
Succession Planting
Succession planting is the practice of planting the same vegetable more than once at least a few weeks apart during a season to ensure a longer and more consistent harvest throughout the year. Pick vegetables that are quicker to mature or have a shorter harvest window such as radishes and carrots.
Cool season crops
It’s not too late to get your favorite cool season crops in the ground such as cabbage, beets, carrots, and peas. Pick a shadier spot for them to cool off at least for part of the day.