How to Grow a Vegetable Garden
Planning the Site
As a general rule, if the land runs east and west, the taller plantings should be on the north, so that the lower-growing vegetables will not be cut off from the light. Corn grows so much taller than any other cultivated plant that it should be placed at the rear. In front of it, the few hills of early potatoes that can be grown on a city lot may be planted, because they are the least ornamental of vegetables.
Preparing the Site
A distance of 20 inches between the rows is ample for most vegetables in a carefully managed vegetable garden. Tall peas, tomato, and corn should be spaced apart by at least 2 to 2½ feet. They should be staked for best results. Appropriate thinning for all kinds of vegetables is advisable. Do not permit root crops to crowd each other in the row. Thin out radishes, beets, onions, turnips, etc., so that they stand about 2 to 4 inches apart in the row, according to variety. Beans will yield more and better pods if plants stand 4 to 6 inches apart in the row.
Required Materials
The materials needed are as follows:
Trowel or rake
Small shovel
Bucket
Ruler
Fertilizer
Hose or watering can
Seed markers
Watering Requirements
Water your row of freshly planted seeds. Do not use too much water to begin with - you want to let the dirt settle into itself, not wash it away. Water requirements may differ according to the kind of vegetables you are growing. Proper watering and weeding will make your vegetables healthier.
Nutrients Required
A vegetable garden needs abundant quantities of organic material, which are applied to the soil. Usually, the organic material is in the form of animal manure, cover crops, compost, or mixed organic fertilizer.
Seasons
Select early, midseason, and late varieties of vegetables that you like best. This will give you a constant supply of your favorite vegetables. When garden operations begin, be sure to follow your plan. Any deviation from your carefully planned program may result in failure. I cannot emphasize this point too much, as the reason for unsatisfactory yield in most gardens is lack of adherence to the original plan.
Planting your own vegetable garden can be a fun and a great way to ensure the quality of the vegetables you and your family are eating. Involving your kids can make them more interested in eating their vegetables, too. (Learn how to get your kids to eat vegetables)