How to plant a healthy vegetable garden

How to plant vegetables and care for them to keep them healthy and producing well.

Planting a healthy vegetable garden is necessary if you want to produce quality produce. There are several factors to take into account: soil type, amount of sun, water, fertilizer, fencing, and more.

First, make sure the plants you have chosen are compatible with one another. Some, like blueberries, need very acidic soil in order to grow adequately. This same soil will kill most other plants. Most plants, such as corn, tomatoes, strawberries, peppers, and zucchini are compatible with one another. Make sure you check, though, to be certain that no plant has special soil requirements before you plant them all together.

Prepare your soil before you plant your plants or seeds. Make sure it is balanced with appropriate amounts of sand, clay, and organic material. Add anything else your plants may require or which you may want to add, such as extra nutrients in the form of natural or chemical fertilizers. Natural fertilizer should be mixed into the soil before you plant your vegetables; follow the direction on chemical fertilizers if you choose to use them.

Many plants grow better in a raised area, so think about this when you're planning the area in which to plant them. If you don't have a raised area, and don't want to consider a raised bed, most plants will do okay anyway. This is something extra, to produce more vegetables, and quicker.

The area in which you plant the vegetables must get adequate sun. Most vegetables require full sun for a large part of the day. Be sure that no tree will shadow the garden once it grows leaves, nor will shadows from your house or other large structures fall over the garden too soon in the day. Vegetable gardens should typically be in full sun for as much of the day as possible.

Watering isn't too hard if your climate is one that gets an adequate amount of rain. If there's a drought, though, you'll have to water your garden from time to time. Basically, the soil should never get dry enough to become dusty in your hands, or to crack. If it does, then it's time for major water. You should also look at the condition of the plants. If they're beginning to wilt (fall over), look less green or even brown, they need water. Very hot weather means they will need more water than in cooler weather, because more water will evaporate. Always spray a little onto their leaves as well as at their roots.

When you plant your plants, make sure there are no weeds in your garden. Plant the different plants at least a foot apart; further if you're growing several plants or they'll get large. Once everything's planted, cover the ground around all the plants with newspaper, and then put grass clippings around the base of the plant on top of the newspaper. The newspaper will prevent weeds from growing, and it will help fertilize the plants naturally.

If you have deer, rabbit, or other pests in your area, put a wire fence around your garden. This will prevent them from getting in and eating your garden. This is especially important if you've planted herbs, lettuce, carrots, or other things that these animals like to eat. If you have outdoor cats, you'll want to put a fence around your garden, because cats enjoy digging in gardens and eating whatever plants are there. It could be poisonous to them, and certainly detrimental to your garden.

Watch your plants carefully throughout the year. Harvest vegetables as soon as they're ready. If there are a lot of flowers on your plants, pick some off - this will encourage the remaining ones to turn into larger, better vegetables. Try not to use chemical fertilizers, but make sure you continue to add organic material throughout the season. If any plants become overripe before you can pick them, leave them in the garden. If you follow these tips, your garden will be healthy and will produce well.

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