Best Time to Plant a Vegetable Garden

One of the biggest questions that new gardeners ask is when the best time to plant vegetable garden is. This is a great question and is one that varies depending on the climate that you live in. Those who are looking for a specific day and month of the year will just need to get their own copy of the Old Farmers' Almanac. You will find answers to when to start planting and what to expect the weather to do.

The Green Thumb is Not Everything

Remember however that even a gardener with a green thumb can have plants die because of unforeseen freezing weather and a premature winter that comes by surprise. Gardening can be an experiment of finding what works and doesn't work but if it is done the right way it is worth the hard work.

The Old Farmers' Almanac

Planting guides for vegetables will inform you that when you are growing spring vegetables you need to plant them during the late winter. Summer vegetables should be planted during the early spring (after the last frost) and fall vegetables should be planted during the mid to late summer.

Watch Spring Tempatures

When you are planting many of your spring vegetables you need to be certain that the weather stays mostly around 50 degrees during the evening. When the weather gets warmer at 60 to 70 degrees it is a good time to plant summer vegetables. When looking at labels that state "warm season" and "cool season," remember this is referring to the temperature outside, not necessarily the time of year. Thus vegetables that may not be suitable for planting one part of the country can flourish in another during certain times of the year.

Which Vegetables Can Withstand Near Freezing?

Some vegetables can withstand growing in near-freezing temperatures, even though it is not suggested. These vegetables include onions, peas, salad greens, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. Many first time vegetable gardeners have better success with early spring vegetables.

Vegetables That Suffer Below 50 Degrees

Vegetables like eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, melons and squash, will perish rapidly if you attempt to grown them in weather that is less than 50 degrees. The only method you can use to maintain these plants outside is to shield them with a plant protection apparatus such as a cloche or cultivate them in a greenhouse.

Warm Season Vegetables Grow Best After the Last Frost

They will always be finished growing before your first frost. Learning about the dates of the first and last frost in your area is vital. Instructions and recommended planting zones are usually listed on seed packets that you can buy from any garden center.

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Indoor Vegetable Gardening

When the weather gets colder and the time for outdoor gardening is done, home gardeners can still turn to the pleasures of indoor vegetable gardens. Leafy crops, root crops, tomatoes, and a lot of other kinds of vegetables are good for growing indoors.

Inside is Just a Bit More Complex

There are aspects of growing vegetables inside that are a bit more complex than growing them outside. You are in control of things that nature usually handles, like light, temperature, and even pollination! You are responsible for making sure that your plants receive enough tending to maintain good growth and can thrive indoors.

Root crops and leafy crops need cooler indoor temperatures.

If at all possible, it's ideal to place them in a bright room which isn't used often and where the temperature in that room will not go below freezing. These kinds of plants can handle the cooler range of temperatures during daytime, normally 60 degrees, as well as night temperatures in the high 30s.

Remenber the Specific Temperature Requirements

When you are growing hot peppers, tomatoes, sweet peppers, beans, and cucumbers, it is important to remember that they have specific temperature requirements. You should keep the daytime temperature in the high seventies. At night, the temperature should never be allowed to go below sixty degrees.

South Facing Room is Best

It's ideal to grow an indoor vegetable garden in a room which faces the south and has the capacity to get warmer during winter from solar heating. It's still vital for plants to get six to eight hours of sun each day. To accomplish this, you have to keep the plants as close to the windows as possible. Sadly, this can cause the plants to freeze due to the coldness which comes from the windows. To avoid this problem, try supplemental heating for the room with the blend of cool-white and warm-white fluorescent lighting.

Light Weight Soil Mixtures for Indoors

An indoor vegetable garden should be planted in a light weight soil mixture. Don't use soil from your garden. There are many commercially available potting mixes which are suitable for growing vegetables indoor. A combination of equal parts perlite, peat, potting soil, and vermiculite, will produce an indoor soil that is light enough to prevent insects and diseases that can harm your crops.

Indoor vegetable gardening means watering more frequently.

This is because they don't get any humidity in the air they would normally get during warmer months outdoors and because they're in a confined space. Take care not to overwater the plants. Usually, watering when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch should be adequate. Additional feeding must be done every couple of weeks to keep nutrients in the soil which the more frequent watering will deplete.

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Organic Vegetable Gardening

There are lots of things we do and eat each day that are bad for our health. As we become older, we tend to become more aware of the importance of good health. Because of this, many people are making the healthy choice of using organic vegetables and other organic foods.

A Green Thumb is Like Money in the Bank These Days.

Just think how expensive organic vegetables are! If you are good at growing things, you could save a fortune by planting your own vegetable garden. Of course, organic vegetable gardening is quite a bit of work, but in this case the ends really do justify the means.

Organic Gardening Consiterations

You need to consider whether you will be able and willing to avoid the use of harmful chemicals and other substances in organic vegetable gardening. Some vegetable are more disease-resistant than others, so these may be better choices for you. In order to have enough vegetables to feed your family during the growing season, you will want to plan your vegetable garden carefully. Pick which vegetables you will grow and how many of each. Knowing this in advance will insure that you have plenty of produce on hand.

Garden Location Selection

When you have a firm plan in mind regarding the types of vegetables you will have and how many of each, you will be ready to select your location. A good vegetable garden should get six to eight hours of sunlight a day. It should have well drained soil with a source of water at hand. You will want to have your organic vegetable garden close enough to your home to be handy, but not so close as to be shaded by trees or by the house, itself.

You will want to use all organic materials.

Add your organic soil conditioners and fertilizers to your soil three weeks ahead of time, at least. You will want to mix them into the soil slowly and thoroughly. Break up any large chunks of compost that you may come across. When these are present, they can cause nutrient deficiencies in some areas, as the nutrients are not readily available. This in turn can cause soil-borne diseases that are harmful to your young plants.

Organic Materials

Are things such as compost, manure, cover crops, and mixed organic fertilizer are great choices that can really improve the soil and encourage healthy plant growth. These materials can improve the soil structure and its condition by helping it to retain nutrients, better retain moisture and at the same time be well-drained during periods of excessive rainfall or watering.

How the Orgranic Matter Works in the Garden

When you apply organic matter to the soil, it will break down and decompose over time with the assistance of helpful creatures like earthworms, fungi, and bacteria that live in the soil. This process releases important nutrients such as nitrogen and helps make a healthy soil that allows plants to grow. You can test your soil for its pH levels and make adjustments accordingly. By making sure that the material you use has the correct amount of nitrogen, you will see your hard work on your organic vegetable garden really pay off.

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Raised Bed Vegetable Garden

A raised bed vegetable garden is the best option for vegetable gardening in cooler climate zones. Regular gardens can often be soaked and freeze overnight if they are not drained properly.

Maintaining a raised bed vegetable garden is a smart option.

A raised bed allows extra water to drain off quickly, and helps soil to become warmer in a shorter time. Under certain circumstances, a raised bed garden can allow you to grow vegetables earlier in the season than you might otherwise be constrained to do.

What Makes a Raised Bed Better

A raised bed vegetable garden is ideally suited for many vegetables as it affords extra room for plants to grow deep, sturdy roots. The extra depth allows the plant roots more room to grow and become stronger. This has the benefit of producing sturdier plants which will yield better harvests.

A raised vegetable garden bed can be made by creating a planting area and mounding up the soil using a shovel or rake. You have the ability to decide how large you want this area to be, but it is usually around 21 inches across for easy access to individual plants. Soil used in vegetable garden beds should be of the best quality you can manage. High quality topsoil, or regular topsoil mixed with compost or manure is a good choice.

A Simple Wooden Frame Can Be Used

Wooden frames can be used in vegetable gardens or for small projects, to help hold om the soil. These frames can serve as space organizers and can be aesthetically pleasing. Make sure they are tough, however - as they must withstand insects and different weather conditions. Weather treated wooden 2 x 10 or 2 x 12 rails are readily available in home center or garden stores.

A Container Garden My Be a Better Option

Some gardeners choose various containers for their vegetables rather than having a raised bed vegetable garden. A particularly good choice is an old tire. Yes, old tires make great containers for two reasons. Plants need water, but don't like soggy soil; tires can drain quickly. Tender plants need warmth, and tires are perfectly suited for this task. Their dark color absorbs the heat of the sun during the day and returns it to your plant at night.

Soil preparation involves raking. This is important for several reasons but an important one is to see to it that the soil is level. This prevents low spots or places where the water can pool around the plant and thus hold excessive moisture. One way to make sure it is level is to water the soil after raking and check for low spots. If there are any add some additional soil to build up the surface prior to planting.