Planning a Patio Vegetable Garden
Garden grown vegetables are superior to grocery store produce by anyone’s standard, both in freshness and flavor. You can go out to the garden and pick your vegetables just before mealtime, at the peak of freshness. You’ll save money and your family (and lucky neighbors) will love the results. Here’s a quick primer on the basics of setting up a vegetable garden. If you’ve not grown your own vegetables, give it a try!
Start out small. It’s easy to let your enthusiasm run wild, wanting to plant all of your favorites. The issue arises when you find yourself overwhelmed by the time required to maintain a giant garden. Get one growing season under your belt to get an idea of the tasks involved and the time it will take to take care of your garden. A good size for the first-gardener is about 4′ x 8′. A small patio garden is easily managed, even when filled to its limit.
When planning your veggie garden, your first decisions are growing location, layout and kind of bed. Most vegetables require a southern exposure with at least eight hours of sunlight, so plan accordingly. Raised beds are easy to work and drain well. Lining the bottom of the frame with wire mesh provides protection from annoying pests.
You have a little more initial expense in constructing the frame and filling the bed, but in the big picture, you’ll have less work and better results. If you choose to dig the ground directly, digging to a depth of 24 inches is suggested for the most friable soil and best drainage. If you’re growing in pots, use oak half-barrels or similar sized containers. Consult your nursery owner for veggie varieties that grow well in your area.
Prepare your soil completely. You should be able to carefully squeeze a big handful and have it just barely hold its form, then easily crumble as you sift it through your hands. Get a soil test kit and make any adjustments to correct for too acid or alkaline soil.
Planning a vegetable garden for maximum yield includes considering interplanting, a technique that allows you to grow two crops in sequence in the same space. For example, carrots and radishes may be planted in between a row of lettuce. The carrots and radishes will be ready by the time the lettuce fills out the garden.
Knowledge of companion planting is also useful when planning a vegetable garden. Some vegetables grow more vigorously when planted with another particular plant. For example, tomatoes and basil are good companions, producing better tomatoes, tastier basil and provide natural protection from pests. You also want to know what not to plant together. Gladiolas shouldn’t be planted anywhere near tomatoes! Your tomatoes will not thrive!
Planning a vegetable garden is almost as much fun as growing and harvesting the delectable fruits. Start small, do your research, apply TLC generously and watch your garden grow!
- James Maree
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