Getting Started with Fruit and Vegetable Gardening
Growing fruits and vegetables in your own garden can be a fun hobby. It’s also an easy way to eat healthy all season long, and you will be amazed at how good fruits and vegetables taste when picked straight from your garden.
What Should I plant?
What to grow in your fruit and vegetable garden depends both on your tastes and where you live. What grows best in Massachusetts won’t do nearly as well in the dry heat in Texas. So you will need to start with some research about your region. This can easily be done at your local garden center or online.
Many local garden clubs also offer free advice through clinics at libraries, farmers’ markets, and community events. Take advantage of these clinics - why spend all your time doing research when you could be enjoying your garden? If this is your first time fruit and vegetable gardening, you may want to consider some plants that are easy to grow and care for.
Strawberries and melons need little care; peas, beans, and zucchini are easy vegetables to grow. You also want to take into consideration your own personal tastes. Even though everyone seems to grow tomatoes, if you don’t really like tomatoes, you are simply wasting your time and resources. Find fruits and vegetables to plant in your garden that you and your family will enjoy eating.
How Do I Get Started?
Once you’ve decided what you would like to plant, the next step is to decide where you want your fruit and vegetable garden to be. Planning is key! You’ll want enough space to grow your favorites, but also make sure that the garden receives enough sunlight to be successful. Most vegetable plants need at least 8-10 hours of sunlight a day.
You’ll also want to make sure that the soil is suitable for fruit and vegetable gardening. You can check the pH of your soil with a test kit from your local garden center or home improvement store. You can help the composition of your soil by adding top soil, peat moss, and fertilizer to it. Planting the actual plants or seeds is the easy part - follow the directions on the package!
It is generally easier to buy already sprouted plants (especially for the first-time gardener), but seeds are an option as well if you live in a warmer climate. And, of course, make sure that your plants get plenty of water. You will be enjoying the fruits and vegetables from your garden in no time!
