Tim Griggs: Gardening for Beginners

Gardening for beginners

tricks to grow a healthier, more productive garden

story by Rebecca Giese

Who added, build raised vegetable beds to their list this season? With everyone staying home more, this summer is the perfect time to try out your green thumb. We reached out to Sugar Hill Acres owner and farmer, Tim Griggs, to help you be as successful as possible on your gardening journey. Established 17 years ago, Sugar Hill Acres is a staple of the Byrdtown Community in Darlington County. The farm specializes in a variety of potatoes, including French fingerling and Red Pontiac Potatoes. These spuds are distributed across the Carolinas from Grow Food Carolina in Charleston, SC to Charlotte Fresh Point in Charlotte, North Carolina. Their potatoes can be found from now until mid-June in Food Lions, Publix, and even at Outback Steak House. If you are in the mood for a country drive, you can find Sugar Hill Acre produce locally every day at Griggs Grocery. Besides potatoes, they farm watermelons, cantaloupes, cotton, corn, tobacco, grass, and cattle. After years of farming, Tim has a few tricks up his sleeve to have a fruitful season.

TIM GRIGGS, SUGAR HILL ACRES

1 When starting a garden, you do not need a large plot of land. You will be surprised by the yield of a small, raised bed. You don't be a big space for a significant result! A raised bed doesn't have to be fancy; you can use old reclaimed wood, mesh (to keep grass from growing), potting soil and fertilizer to have a little garden.

2 If planting a smaller bed, try peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, herbs, they are easier for beginners and do not need much space as vined plants like squash and cucumbers.

And next year, consider starting your garden earlier with cold crops that need to be planted in February like broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, snow peas, and collards. Another easy to grow vegetable is potatoes, planted between February and March; all you need to do is water and watch for bugs for them to grow successfully.

3 Dig a 5 dollar hole for a 1 dollar plant. For example, for tomatoes, dig a hole 6 inches deep, add manure/ fertilizer, then plant the seedling. Fertilizing is key to good crop yield. Spoon feed the plants, each time you go out to your garden, sprinkle some fertilizer. You will be amazed by the difference some fertilizer makes.

4 It is hard to overwater, with the South Carolina summers it is very easy for plants to get stressed and dry out. Watch your plants for signs of stress, like drooping or shriveling leaves. Also, try to put your garden in a place that does not get direct afternoon sun; this will help the garden not dry out during our hot summer afternoons.