Everything to consider when growing your own super foods.
People from all walks of life choose to grow their own vegetables for many reasons: it’s enjoyable, fulfilling, provides the freshest produce, and is cost-effective.
If you’ve always dreamed of growing your own super foods, enjoying fresh produce, and saving money, check out our top tips to get started:
Pick the right location
Pick a spot that receives sufficient sunlight, as most vegetables require 6 to 8 hours of sun daily. Ensure the area has enough space and is level to prevent erosion. Choose a location near a water source, and plant in soil that is moist and well-drained.
Choose the right vegetables
Select vegetables to plant based on your region, climate, and the current season. Grow what you and your family enjoy eating. Take into account the space available when deciding which vegetables to plant. If you’re a beginner, start with easy-to-grow crops like peppers, cucumbers, carrots, beans, lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, squash, and radishes.
Prepare the soil
You can mix compost, organic fertiliser and manure into your vegetable garden. Alternatively, purchase ready-made soil.
When to plant
Planting dates are usually visible on seed packets. Do consider the ideal planting conditions for each vegetable you want to plant. Each crop has different growing conditions and ripening cycles based on weather and temperature preferences.
Planting
Plant your seeds or seedlings in the soil, making sure to follow the recommended spacing and depth instructions. When transplanting seedlings, create holes that are larger than the current root ball.
Water well
Water your vegetable garden evenly to maintain consistent soil moisture. On average, most plants require 2 to 5 cm of water per week. In hotter regions, you may need to water more. Instead of watering lightly every day, give the garden a deep watering once a week
Act quickly and keep out the weeds
Take out the weeds as soon as you can, to avoid them spreading. To do so, grab them low on the stems to remove the entire root.
Continuously harvest
Certain vegetables should be harvested regularly to promote continuous growth. Remove old blooms, also known as “deadheading”, to make way for new growth.
Fertilise the soil
Use organic fertiliser whenever possible, at least once a year. This can be done by spreading the fertiliser on the soil’s surface.
Keep good records
Keep a record of everything you’ve grown, including any pests, diseases, or challenges encountered. Taking notes helps you learn from mistakes and avoid repeating them.
Compiled by Clement Matroos Source: www.thegardener.co.za
