Starting A Vegetable Garden

Getting started with a vegetable garden is simple, as long as you follow a few basic guidelines. Selecting a sunny spot, deciding on vegetables to grow and planning for success are all part of the process.

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Direct seeding

Some cool season crops, such as carrots, peas, spinach and radishes grow best if they are direct seeded into the garden beds. These crops can generally be planted as soon as the ground can be worked. It is important to follow the seed spacing guidelines for each crop and seeds should not be planted too deep. After they are planted, seeds should be lightly covered with soil and watered in. The seed bed must be kept moist once the seeds are in the ground because they can be susceptible to drying out during this stage.

Maintaining your garden

In addition to supplying irrigation, fertility must be maintained according to your soil test for your garden to reach its full potential. Proper spacing and airflow will further help to reduce disease problems. Weed control in small gardens can generally be achieved by hand weeding and using organic mulches. Mulch not only helps to keep weeds down, but it also conserves moisture and adds organic matter to the soil.

njaes.rutgers.edu/home-lawn-garden/.

William Errickson is the Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent for Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County.

Source: mycentraljersey.com