How to Grow Vegetable Garden? – Some Basic Information
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You might have come across articles about the harmful effects of pesticides that are used to keep away pests from vegetables, fruits and grains. Studies have indicated that by consuming these vegetables and fruits, the traces of pesticides reach our body and cause many health problems including cancer. So it is quite natural that any person will feel apprehensive eating vegetables even though it is considered the best food. If you have your own vegetable garden, the problem will be solved. But the question is how to grow vegetable garden?
If you have a yard in your home, you are really lucky and you could grow your vegetable garden there. You might wonder how to grow vegetable garden if you are living in an apartment. If you have a balcony that gets sufficient sunlight you could grow your garden there even though the crops that you could grow are limited.
The most important factors for any plant to grow are soil, sunshine and water. In addition, you will need some fertilizers, do some weeding and more important, the inclination for some physical work. The right time to start gardening is in the beginning of the spring season when the soil has some moisture so that it could be dug easily and won’t be too wet or muddy. For your vegetable garden, you will have to choose a place that gets direct sunlight at least for 5 to 6 hours during summer. The soil has to be loosened enabling the roots to grow down providing support and nutrients for the plant.
You have to dig at least one foot deep and loosen the soil thoroughly using a rake. Then compost has to be added and thoroughly mixed. 10-20% is the correct proportion for adding compost. Depending on the pH content of the soil, you may be required to add lime or gypsum. It is better to add gypsum while preparing the garden bed for the first time. This is to balance the salts in the soil.
The next step is choosing your crops. You can grow many varieties depending on the space available and your requirement. It is always better to plant 2 to 3 numbers of each type of plant. The plants that can be grown as summer crops are tomatoes, bush beans, cucumber, pepper etc. Some winter crops are leafy vegetables like lettuce, spinach, broccoli; and peas. Plants have to be planted with adequate spacing. The information regarding the space requirements of each type will be provided when buying the seeds or sapling. Otherwise you could get the advice of an expert. After planting, it has to be watered gently so that the top soil becomes wet. Every time the top soil dries up, watering is needed.
If you find any insect damage you could use organic insecticides. The weeds should be pulled out and not sprayed down with chemicals.
Now that you know the basics of how to grow vegetable garden you could grow one of your own and stop worrying about the pesticides.