Henry David Thoreau said that the blueberries that you pick yourself taste better than the ones you buy at the market. This is very true. Growing your own fruits and vegetables, working the soil, planting the seeds and harvesting your garden, is rewarding and a great, relaxing hobby. Growing your own food ensures that you know exactly where you food comes from and what, if any, pesticides were used. Gardening is also a great way to unwind and relieve stress. It is also good exercise, digging, stooping and pulling weeds can be a pretty good workout. So, whether you are planning a full-scale vegetable garden or you want to grow a few herbs, these tips can help you get started.
The first thing to consider when planning your garden is location, location, location. Think about what you want to grow, the type of light your plants will require and the size or your garden. Herbs, tomatoes, carrots, squash and strawberries are good for smaller spaces. Climbing foods like cucumbers and beans can grow along a fence or pole so they don抰 need much room. Fruit trees, on the other hand, can take up a lot of room. You may also want to consider growing herbs or smaller vegetables indoors. This would work well if you want to grow produce year round. If your plants are inside, you control the climate and can grow any vegetable or herb anytime.
When you are deciding on which vegetables you want to grow, check with USDA to find out what hardiness zone you are in and use it as a guide. Your hardiness zone will tell you which plants and vegetables do best in which areas. Most seed packages will include information on which zone is best for that particular plant. You can purchase seeds at a nursery, the garden department of a mass merchandiser store, through catalogs and even online. It is best to shop around to find the best deal and best selection.
When you get your seeds, you need to begin preparing your garden for planting. Once you stake off the area, you need to till the soil so that it will be well churned and suitable for planting. There are several tools you can use for this; a rotatiller is probably the most popular. A push rotatiller is easy to operate and inexpensive to rent. Other methods include plowing and even hand tilling for small areas.
When you begin planting, follow the directions on the seed package. Make sure that clumps of dirt are broken up and any rocks are removed. Then begin making rows with a hoe. It is on top of these rows that you will plant your seeds. Plant the seeds somewhat close together. You can always space them out more once they begin to grow. Pay attention to the depth you are placing the seeds into the ground.
Once your seeds are in the ground, the real work begins. It is vital that you water your garden regularly, but don抰 over water. You should water your garden either in the early morning or in the evening, but never when the sun is high. The sun can burn a plant抯 delicate leaves and watering them while the sun bears down on them will definitely cause them to burn. You can also use a sprinkler system or irrigation system.
Harvest time will depend on the type of plants in your garden. If you plan your garden well, you can have fresh produce through most of the summer and fall seasons.
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