Tips for beginning gardeners, Part 2

Posted in Healthy Home & Garden on November 14, 2013.  Last modified on April 30, 2019. Read disclaimer.

See previous: Beginning Gardening, part 1.

Growing the garden

1. Fertilizing
   When it comes to fertilizing your garden (or yard) more is NOT better. Plants can absorb the "vitamins and minerals" they receive from fertilizer only so fast. Too much fertilizer, released too quickly, can burn and dehydrate plants or cause them to grow in undesireable ways. It's best to start with a soil sample to see how much (if any) and what type of fertilizer is needed for the specific plants you are growing.
   Organic: If using manures, aged manure should be incorporated before planting. During the growing season, supplement with compost or packaged products.
   Non-organic: A granular fertilizer can be worked into the soil before planting (ex: 2 lb. 10-10-10 per 1000 sq. ft or 3 cups per 100 sq. ft.) Avoid excess nitrogen on fruiting vegetables (beans, tomatoes, peppers, etc.).
2. Water
   The vegetable garden needs 1 inch of water each week -- either from rain or irrigation. Water more frequently while seeds are germinating and after transplanting. Run sprinklers in the morning so plants dry off quickly. Consider using drip irrigation or soaker hoses.
3. Mulch
   Organic mulch helps maintain soil moisture, reduces soil temperature and reduces weeds. Do not apply too early -wait for the soil to warm up adequately. Most commonly used are straw or chopped leaves. A disadvantage can be slugs.
4. Trellising
   Some vegetable plants grow best with support, such as tomatoes, beans, peas and sometimes cucumbers.
5. Weed control
   Mulch helps. Hoe early (even before weeds appear) and frequently (every week or so) until your vegetables are large enough to create shade, which the weed seeds need to grow. Otherwise, be sure to pull weeds before they set seeds.
6. Disease control
   Keep foliage dry as much as possible. Mulch helps for some things. Remove diseased leaves and plants. Sprays are preventative, not curative.
7. Insect control
   Scout regularly. Hand-pick beetles and caterpillars. Use insecticidal soap for mites, aphids, whiteflies. Bacillus thuringiensis formulations are useful for caterpillars, other BT formulations for Colorado potato beetle larvae. Be careful with products such as carbaryl (sevin) and malathion, which can be very toxic to bees. Encourage beneficial insects and learn to tell the good bugs from the bad bugs.

Reaping the harvest

1. Harvest regularly
   Another reason to keep the veggies close to the house. Nobody really uses zucchini as baseball bats. Some, such as beans, squash and peppers will stop producing if not picked.
2. Young and tender
   Most vegetables are most flavorful and nutritious when young. There are some exceptions. Ripen tomatoes on the vine if possible. Melons and eggplant must also ripen on the vine.
3. Early in the day
   Vegetables are at their freshest when the morning temperatures are still cool. Get vegetables in the refrigerator (except tomatoes) or processed as quickly as possible.

Finally:

1. Record keeping is important. Next season you will want to know what was planted where so you can rotate crops, what worked and what didn't, which varieties you liked, etc. Learn from your mistakes.
2. Every year is an experiment. Next year try a new crop or new variety.
3. Keep it fun. Gardening should be enjoyable. Get the whole family involved.
4. For more information on gardening. Check out www.ncstate-plants.net.

Back to: Beginning Gardening, page 1

Sources:
Linda Blue, Agricultural Extension Agent, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Back to Basics: Starting a Vegetable Garden