28 March Your Spring Starting Guide to Vegetable Gardens March 28, 2022 By sma DIY, Just for Fun garden, home exterior, spring 0 YOUR SPRING STARTING GUIDE TO VEGETABLE GARDENS March 28, 2022 | DIY, Just for Fun | spring, garden, home exterior Spring is back again! With the excitement of the new season comes inspiration for projects around your home. If you’re looking for a way to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather, then a vegetable garden is just what you need. Choosing Where to Plant Deciding on a spot to start your vegetable garden is the first step. If you’ve never done a garden before, you may be unsure about where to start. Before you break ground, study your yard. Watch the way the sun and shadows move around, how water flows, and what type of soil your yard mainly consists of. Once you’ve picked a spot that provides the perfect balance, measure out your plot. For beginners, it’s best to start small so you don’t overwhelm yourself. Picking Your Vegetables Now comes the time to decide what to plant. Some of the easiest plants are carrots, zucchinis, tomatoes, green beans, and beets. To avoid wasting plants and money, choose vegetables you typically eat in the correct amount for your family (this quick guide can help you calculate how many of each to plant). Bonus tip: You’ll save money by choosing plants that your local grocer doesn’t always stock. If organic strawberries sell out fast, you’ll definitely want to try your hand at planting some. Get the Soil Ready Once you’ve picked your plants, it’s time to get the soil ready. Begin by loosening the soil to make it easier for the roots to grow. Remove any debris like trash or other dead plants to create a healthy environment. To give your young plants the nutrients they need, mix in some fresh soil or compost. Planting Techniques As you put your plants in, properly space them out to avoid overcrowding. Make the holes big enough to provide ample room for the roots to grow. When you cover the plants, don’t pack the dirt on top of them. This makes it harder for them to get the nutrients they need to sprout. You may want to keep a few packages of plants on hand in case something happens to your first crop. Be sure to use markers about what plants are where so you know how to care for them. Lastly, adequately water the soil to help get your plants acclimated to their new home. Proper Watering Finding the sweet spot for keeping your plants hydrated may seem like a guessing game at times, and you’ll want to avoid losing any water to the hot sun. For optimal watering, schedule a time in the early morning or late afternoon. When you water, soak the roots but not the leaves. Overly wet leaves can start to rot and weigh down the plant so they don’t grow correctly. Keeping Your Plants Safe One of the greatest challenges of growing a garden is keeping away pests. Birds, bugs, and bunnies can all wreak havoc on your vegetable garden. In addition to sprays, there are many holistic and humane approaches as well. Nets and fences are good at keeping out anything hopping or flying. You can also use other plants that animals don’t find appealing, like marigolds. For creepy crawlers, try to pick them off the leaves before they chow down. If weeds have started growing, using hay in your soil will prevent them from spreading. For all your home inspection needs, contact your local NPI professional today! Comments are closed.