Our little raised bed gardens are flourishing this summer. Each year I like to try to grow new-to-me veggies and herbs. New this year is mojito mint (great for cocktails), asparagus (which will take a couple of years before it produces), eggplant (black beauty), and stevia (the natural sweetener). I always plant a variety of tomatoes & peppers, Swiss chard, and herbs. Read more for a few of my tips for successful vegetable gardening.
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Gardening is one of the most rewarding hobbies in my opinion. As long as you provide the proper growing conditions and water when needed, you’ll receive a generous crop of fresh veggies that you and your family can enjoy.
Before I plant anything, I amend the soil with organic compost and Bio-tone starter. Bio-tone starter help the plants establish a strong root system which is necessary for the plants to grow and produce fruit.
There are all sorts of irrigation systems that are super easy to install. This year, I opted for a soaker hose which is the easiest of all. So far, it’s working out well. I sprinkle plant tone around each plant once a month after the fruit has formed. I like to apply a generous layer of soil conditioner to conserve water and protect the roots from harsh sun exposure. Epsom salt is a great source of magnesium. Tomatoes and peppers love it!
Plants like tomatoes and peppers require staking. Bamboo stakes cut from my mom’s woods are what I usually use for tomatoes. I like these hoops for peppers.
I really wanted to do a zinnia bed this year, so I made one of our raised beds a zinnia garden. They were all started from seed. It’s amazing watching them grow! I’ve been told that the more you cut them, the more they bloom. So far, this has been the case. The zinnias get a sprinkling of flower tone once a month and receive water daily. This is my favorite spray wand, by the way. It’s perfect for reaching into the flowers and getting the water to the base of the plants. It’s also great for tough-to-reach spots such as window boxes.
SHOP GARDENING LINKS
