Are you a new gardener?At harvest time, learning how to grow vegetables can pay off handsomely.To begin the process, you need to know where and when to plant the vegetables you want to grow.Pre-planning is necessary to make sure that you start your plants off right.The time it takes to prepare the soil, plant the vegetables, and care for them as they grow is one of the things that requires an investment of money.
Step 1: Decide which veggies to plant.
There are vegetables that grow well in your area.If you want to grow vegetables, your location is very important.You need to research your region and choose vegetables that are compatible with the climate you live in.If you want to learn more about what plants grow well in your area, look up the United States Department of Agriculture's growing zones.Start small.If you are just starting out gardening and want to plant a lot of different vegetables, you should focus on just a few.Growing vegetables can be more of a time commitment than people think, so begin slowly so you don't get overwhelmed.If you are an experienced gardener, you can replicate the climate of other regions in order to grow vegetables you like.When you are just starting out, planting vegetables that are difficult to grow in your region will be frustrating and unfruitful.
Step 2: Decide where to plant your vegetables.
If you want to grow vegetables, choose a spot where the sun shines at least 6 hours a day.This amount of sun is considered full.If you want to plant a vegetable that doesn't require full sun all day, you need to find an area that gets a lot of shade.You don't have to plant vegetables in the ground.A wide variety of plants can be planted in pots and it does not require a lot of space.There are benefits to container gardening, for instance you can easily move the plants to a new location if they are not happy where you initially place them and the soil in the pot usually develops fewer weeds.Plants in containers need to be watered more often and are more vulnerable to cold and hot temperatures as a pot changes temperature much more easily than the ground.
Step 3: Decide if you want to plant seeds or not.
It is possible to start seeds inside to protect them from frost.Young plants that have been grown from seed in a greenhouse by a professional will cost you more to buy, but they will establish easier and can be planted later in the season.Some plants are hard to grow.It can be hard for home gardeners to cultivate plants with long germination periods.Consider investing in vegetable starts that are more expensive.Many plants, including lettuce, can be grown from seed.carrots don't do well with being replantedWhen growing plants like this, it makes sense to sew the seeds directly into the ground or use a seed starting pot that can go right into ground once the plant grows.
Step 4: It's a good idea to figure out when to plant your vegetables.
When to plant your veggies depends on whether you are planting seeds or starting.Different vegetables need to be planted at different times of the year.Depending on where you live, you can grow a lot of vegetables over the winter months, even if they don't thrive in the summer.
Step 5: You can buy seeds or veggies from a garden center.
Pick a brand that seems reliable and pick vegetable strains that are reliable.Before you go to the garden center to pick out a vegetable, you may want to do some research.Pick plants that seem healthy and don't have spots if you are buying vegetable starts.Consider whether you want seeds or vegetable starts.Some people don't have a problem with genetic modification or pesticides, but others do.It's up to you.Good quality seeds and plants can be found from springtime farmer's markets, seed swaps hosted by local organizations, and online seed catalog companies.
Step 6: Purchase necessary amendments and test the soil.
The needs of the vegetables you want to plant and the current status of your soil will affect these amendments.If you have never planted before in the location you are using, you need to conduct a soil test.If you want to know the ph of your soil, you can take a test at any garden center.The soil can change from acidic to alkaline as well as from sandy to clay.Add amendments if you want to move the soil more toward neutral.Compost should be added to the soil after assessing it.Compost adds organic matter that breaks down and becomes food for your plant.
Step 7: You should remove the weeds and vegetation where you are going to plant your vegetables.
Before planting your vegetables, take the time to weed.Your new plants will be less likely to succeed if weeds are in competition with them.If a bit of the roots are left intact, many weeds can be regenerated.
Step 8: Break up the soil.
You will want to cultivate the soil in an area that is larger than the actual location of your plants.Many plants have large root systems that move outward from where the plant was initially planted.If you want to break the soil up, you can use a shovel or a roto-tiller.Add any amendments you need to add based on the results of your soil test as you mix the soil.
Step 9: Place seeds or a vegetable in a hole.
Follow the directions on the packets for how deep and how far apart you should plant seeds.Some seeds can grow from a depth of 6 inches, while others need to be on the surface of the soil.Vegetables should be planted so that their soil is level with the surface.Some plants can only grow in one direction, meaning that a certain part of the clove needs to be facing up in order for it to grow properly.The top and bottom of garlic cloves are different.When planting garlic, you need to face the side that is not straight.
Step 10: The hole should be covered with soil.
Pack the soil back in the hole if you are using seeds.Press the soil firmly so that the start stands upright if you are planting vegetable starts.
Step 11: Don't forget to water your vegetables.
You want to soak the entire area the first time you water.Don't drown the plants if the soil is moist after that.Keeping up on watering is one of the most important things you can do.You can adjust your watering schedule by monitoring your plants and soil.The water should be moist until the plants come up.You can reduce the watering frequency as they grow.
Step 12: After planting, care for your vegetables.
They won't grow very well if you just forget about them.Keep on watering and remove any weeds that pop up.Much of your work will be done once your veggies are planted properly.mulch around your veggies to deter weeds.When you don't weed around your plants, mulch will pay off.During the growing season, some vegetable plants need to be fertilized to ensure a good harvest.You should be aware of your plants specific feeding requirements.