Eating fresh vegetables is easier than you think. Here are some basic things you need to know about vegetable gardens.

Vegetable Gardens

A successful vegetable garden starts with the planning. First, choose a location that gets plenty of sun. Second, choose vegetables that your family will enjoy and determine how many plants of each vegetable it would take to feed your family. You can draw out your garden on a piece of paper and begin planning the layout of where you want each vegetable to be planted. Next, prepare the soil to receive your vegetables. Use a spade or rototiller to turn over the soil at a depth of two inches and mix in peat moss, compost, soil builder, or mulch. If possible, do this step 60 days before you plan on planting your vegetables.

Planting

There are many ways to grow your vegetables. If you grow them from seed, make sure to check when they need to be planted to maximize growing time. You can also choose some seeds that produce insect and disease resistant vegetables. Consult Jericho Nursery for all your vegetable seed needs.

If you intend on planting young plants, choose plants that are healthy and green. Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and set the plant inside. Fill the hole with soil and water thoroughly. When you are planting your plant, you can add vitamin B1 to the soil to aid your plant’s adaption to its new home.

Watering

Make sure to water the planted area regularly and thoroughly. Seeds need moist ground to germinate properly and young plants need plenty of water to continue growing. To check if you are watering deep enough, dig down 6-8 inches. If the soil is moist at that depth, you have watered enough. If it is still dry, you will need to water more.

Fertilizing

Make sure to fertilize your plants regularly. You can use organic fertilizers such as bone meal, cottonseed meal, and blood meal, or inorganic fertilizers. We recommend one of our Sure Green fertilizers, specially formulated for New Mexico soil and conditions. Follow the directions closely to properly nourish your plants.

Weeding

Weeds can steal important nourishment from your plants, therefore, it is important to weed your garden regularly. You can also add mulch over your garden to prevent weed growth.

Insects

There are a variety of insects that may attack your plants. Regularly check the leaves and soil around your plants for any bugs. If you find insects, ask the staff at Jericho Nursery for the best treatment and its use.  By regularly dusting or spraying plants with the proper treatment, you can prevent most insects from harming your vegetables.

More Information

If you want to learn more, ask the staff at Jericho Nursery. Growing your vegetable garden can be a fun and rewarding learning process. We are here to help you every step of the way.