Warmer temperatures are set to hit the UK this week – finally. If you’re lucky enough to own some outdoor space then you might want to make note.
The hashtag “#DIYVegetableGarden” sees 84.1 million views on TikTok alone. Now, experts at Yell have done all the hard work for us as searched through Tiktok’s most popular gardening hacks on how to prepare and grow a vegetable garden.
Start small
If you are planning to start a vegetable patch in your garden, then the potential size is likely dictated by the space you have.
While some may have grand plans when it comes to growing vegetables, it is a great idea to start small when you are new to it.
A great guide to follow is to stick to the one-metre rule. This is based on how you can grow multiple vegetables and herbs all in the space of one metre.
She recommends not always following the planting labels, as many vegetables can actually be grown close together and therefore allow you to optimise your small space as best as possible.
As simple as it sounds, if done incorrectly, it can harm your vegetable patch and diminish what you can grow and how well they flourish.
You will not only stunt your vegetable’s growth, but you can also increase the risk of diseases such as mildew and botrytis, which will kill off any, if not most of your vegetables.
Grow vertically
When choosing what to grow in your garden, starting with climbing or vining plants, like beans, cucumbers, and tomatoes, is an easy way to ensure success.
To begin growing climbing vegetables, you can create some simple trellises by using pruned branches from your garden or bamboo canes, tied together with twine.
You can then place some old buckets or other reclaimed containers at the base and use these to grow your plants.
In really small spaces, especially if you are using the one-metre rule, you can even use old plastic drink bottles to make planting towers, with holes in the sides to grow strawberries, lettuce, herbs and other edibles.
Easy-to-grow veggies
The most exciting part of your vegetable garden is choosing what crops you want to grow.
For beginners, starting with the easiest vegetables to grow will heighten your chances of success the first time around.
Choose low-maintenance vegetables that don’t need a lot of work to grow and seeds that can be easily and quickly planted. TikTok’s favourite easy-to-grow vegetables include:
- Courgettes – known for being productive and fast-growing
- Shallots and Garlic – one-time planting in the ground and are very space-efficient
- Potatoes – perfect for growing in containers and grow bags if you are limited on space
- Spring onions – space efficient and easy to care for
Source: express.co.uk
