A Basket Of Satisfaction
Imagine, it is August, and summer vegetables are at their peak. You are reaping all the benefits of your time invested, and steps taken to ensure a bountiful vegetable harvest. It gives me so much satisfaction to harvest these beautiful and flavorful vegetables.
If you have never had a vegetable garden before, or would like to review what it takes to have a successful vegetable garden, please follow these simple basic steps.
1) Make your plan first on paper, what you are going to plant, where your vegetables will be planted in your garden plot, and when to expect harvest for each. Read and follow seed packet directions or seedling instructions, for planting, spacing, and thinning.
2) Plant the vegetables that you and your loved ones like to eat the most. If you’re not interested in a certain type of vegetable, than don’t grow it. I always plant an assortment of heirloom tomatoes and squash each year. For fun, I always try and plant one or two new vegetables that I have never grown before. Don’t be afraid to experiment with some of the exciting heirloom vegetable seeds available.
3) Pick a nice sunny, level, location away from trees and shrubs that might shade, and compete for water and nutrients. Make sure this location has a convenient water source. Starting out, don’t make your garden too big. A 10′ x 10″ plot will feed a family easily, with lots of vegetables to share. Plant your tallest vegetables to the north, so they don’t shade the shorter ones, and continue on down your plot with your shortest plants on your south side. Generally, it is wise to surround your vegetable plot with a fence to keep out critters like Peter Rabbit.
4) Work your soil first before planting. Ideally, you want loose, rich, well-drained soil for a vegetable garden. If you have finished compost, or the ability to add nutrient-rich amendments, add to your soil, turn over well, and mix in. Level your ready-soil before planting.
5) Mark off your vegetable plot in “one foot segments” using two stakes tied with string the width of your desired vegetable plot, to provide a straight line for planting. Some of your seeds might require rounded mounds, allow room for them. Adhere to the types of vegetables that are planted in the spring, summer, fall, and even winter.
6) Regular weeding and hoeing is a must. This keeps your soil loose for water penetration and air. Weeds if left unchecked, can rob nutrients from your growing vegetables. Water requirements vary according to your particular soil type and zone. Plants generally need 2″ of water per week. Some plants have specific deep watering requirements, like tomatoes. If possible, water your vegetable garden in the morning.
7) Know when and how to harvest your vegetables for optimum flavor and harvest. This will help your vegetables retain their maximum vitamin content and flavor. Mark it on your calendar beforehand, the approximate time frame your specific vegetables should be harvested, and observe your vegetables closely approaching this time.
Add your thoughts, do you have other tips you have used for successful vegetable gardening. Do you plan on continuing your vegetable gardening into the fall, and throughout the year. Do you have a favorite heirloom vegetable you planted this year to share.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Bonnie,
The pickings are slim in our garden (my second year as a newbie gardener, and one who is not very consistent in her garden work…). I realize, now, after reading your post–that this may be largely due to the soil: I did not work it, turn it over, add nutrients… and the rest. I planted 7 tomatoe plants and we have enjoyed the small (sometimes grape-size…) harvest.
I never have luck with eggplant… and the zucchini, which are usual grow à gogo, are few in number.
I had moved the garden closer to home… where the soil was different. Next time, I’ll follow your helpful tips! Thanks and wishing you a happy August.
Cheers,
Kristin
PS: the verveine tea plant is happy, though, and a nice cup of thé at the end of the day is a great reward.
Hi Kristin,
The key is the soil, after that it is easy. Don’t give up! Thought of you last month, glued to the TV for the Tour de France and Mount Ventoux! My little market basket in the above photo came from the market in Sablet.
Same to you, Happy August! Thanks for your great comment…Bonnie
Such a small world. I was surprised to see my friend Kristin’s post! This was my first year of serious veggie gardening. The main objective was to make it cat/rodent proof as my cat loved to “plow and fertilize” the veg. garden last year. I took two 3×8 cedar raised bed gardens and framed them in heavy duty black construction netting-stapled to 2×2 5 ft. high upright posts that were screwed into the corners of the beds, putting in a small gate between the beds. It was draped fine bird proof netting over the top of the posts and down the open sides of the beds. To access the beds I just rolled the net up to the top and dove in. It worked all right but the posts were low-thankfully this gardener is short so I was able to tend the crops with minimal gymnastic maneuvers. Next year’s tentative plan is to get 2×2 posts but at 7 ft. lengths and top the garden with chicken wire instead of netting. Possibly removing the heavy gauge plastic fencing and using chicken wire instead there as well. This will make it a more permanent construction with easier access for every one (except the cats and rodents).
Martina, it sounds like you are veggie varmit-challenged. There is nothing like fresh vegetables out of the garden. Thanks for your great comment…VintageGardenGal
This is my first real vegetable garden oppertunity now that the raised beds are complete. Its late in the year I know.
Due to the fact that I live in southern California and the soil on my hillside is poor we bought a load of topsoil to at least upgrade the hillside bad dirt. Its getting late in the season but we are in a hot zone 9. My questions are what is best to plant in September and do I need to do more with my soil? I had a large garden as a child in Michigan but the amazing dirt and summer weather made everything grow and taste to its fullest potential.
Thanks so much and I think your website is fantastic, it is all about everything that I am most passionate about.
What are your suggestions for planting and ammending the dirt?
Linda, now is the time to plant your cool weather vegetables like fava beans, peas, greens, etc. I have been meaning to write about the potager, or year-round kitchen garden. They are very quite common in France. Now that everyone is interested in growing their own vegetables, why not do it year-round.
If you have chickens, you must compost, too. See my post on backyard composting. It is a natural progression, chickens, plus manure, plus kitchen vegetable scraps, equals beautiful compost to enchance your vegetable and flower gardens.
Thank you for your wonderful comment…VintageGardenGal
these seven plans are good for my new vegetable garden there good ways how to grow vegetable too I’ll make shore that i tell my friends about it
Lisa, have you tried growing vegetables year-round yet, too? It’s fun. Thanks for your great comment…VintageGardenGal