There are tons of articles and studies about the benefits of gardening for your health and well-being -and it’s not surprising why. Gardening is one of the best hobbies you could have, as you get exposure to Vitamin D and enjoy fresh air while looking after your plants. But perhaps one of the heftiest rewards is that after your work is done, you get fresh veggies, fruit and herbs that you can use to prepare meals.
Think about it for a second. Even if you get lucky enough to find a kitchen style at an affordable price, there’s no point in having a stunning cooking space if you are ingesting harmful chemicals from your food. When you grow your own vegetable garden, things are different because you know exactly what went into them – because you were the one to look after them all the time! This can give you peace of mind and help you live a healthy lifestyle.
However, if you aren’t new to gardening, you probably know that it’s not an easy endeavour, and it can, in fact, quickly get overwhelming. But nothing so rewarding comes easy, right? Fortunately, the work is more manageable when you break down the tasks into smaller goals. Check out the tips below to learn how to properly maintain your vegetable garden and remember: only a few moments dedicated to them can be enriching for your plants and yourself.
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Water your veggies regularly
Nothing on this earth can survive without water, and the same is true for your plants. Whether you have an in-ground garden, a raised bed or a container one, you need to prioritise watering your plants – but remember to find the right balance. You don’t want to water them too little but not too much either.
As a rule of thumb, gardens require an inch of water weekly, but the requirements can vary from one plant to another. For example, herbs like thyme thrive on well-drained soil, while cucumber and watermelon require a significant amount of water to produce the fruit. So, make sure to research the specific plants you are growing in your garden, as this will help you give them as much water as they need and keep them happy.
Feed them well
If it’s been one month after planting your vegetables and they are starting to grow, giving your plants some nourishment is essential. This is how you will maintain them nice and strong, helping them keep diseases and pests away.
You can opt for natural fertilisers like chicken manure or buy fertilisers from a local store or online. Regardless of what you choose, remember to fertilise based on the varieties of the plant, just as you do when it comes to watering. Some plants are “hungrier” than others, so you must feed them more often. Hence, don’t apply anything to your vegetables unless you first understand their specific needs.
Remember to add mulch around your vegetables
When it comes to maintaining your veggies, mulch is your best friend! It serves many incredible purposes for the growth of your plant, blocking the sunlight that would cause weed seeds to grow, retaining moisture, and regulating the temperature of the soil. A layer of mulch ensures the soil around the plant remains cooler during summer months and keeps it warmer when it gets cold outside.
But besides its functional roles, mulch makes your garden look prettier – and more professional, as it offers a finished look for containers and beds. So, choose your favourite type of mulch, whether that’s pine straw, double-ground hardwood, or shredded leaves, and let it do its job of keeping your vegetable garden both healthy and aesthetically pleasing.
Pull the nasty weeds out
There’s no doubt that your plants thrive on nourishing food and water, but that’s also true for weeds! These uninvited intruders compete with your vegetable plants for these two essential nourishment sources, and guess what? They can win the war if you don’t give your plants a helping hand!
Make it a habit to pull weeds weekly – yes, we know this is not an enjoyable task, but it’s necessary so your plants can be safe. In fact, it can be a therapeutic activity; if you’re having a bad day, yanking out weeds will likely boost your mood! Make sure to remove them as soon as you see them appearing to prevent the seed from setting and causing additional problems in the future.
Perform a health check
Do you know what’s a real bummer when growing vegetables in your garden? Pests and disease! But stay calm; this doesn’t mean all of your efforts will go to waste – not if you get on top of the issue as soon as possible. You can do that by checking your garden every week and trying to identify signs of illness or pests in your plants. Check not only the stems, leaves, and flowers but also the undersides of leaves, as pests frequently lay their eggs there!
For small bugs, like aphids, a strong spray of water is enough to remove them. If the pests are larger, you must use your hands to pick them and then drop them into a bucket filled with sudsy water. If your plant is fully infested with pests, spray both sides of the leaves with insecticidal soap. If you deal with a disease, it’s essential to remove the damaged leaves and throw them in the trash to prevent the disease from spreading to the rest of the plants.
Prioritise changing the soil
You can’t expect much from your plants if the soil around them isn’t healthy, can you? After all, it represents the foundation of the garden where your veggies are growing because it holds the moisture they require to thrive.
So, make sure to test the soil and determine what it needs. Give it a boost when needed – we promise this investment will be worth it, as it will ensure your plants grow beautifully and give you the delicious fruit you need to prepare meals for you and your family.
The bottom line
That’s it, dear gardener – now you know what it takes to care for your veggies. We know gardening takes effort, but there’s nothing better than seeing your green babies turning into mature plants, right? So, follow these tips and enjoy the great harvests they produce!