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Vibrant Veggies & Magnificent Microgreens By Juliet Almendro
A step-by-step guide to growing at home
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lthough planting, nurturing, and harvesting your own produce can be rewarding and filled with fun, it can also be a quite daunting experience for those of us who don’t know how or where to start.
Here are some of our top tips on creating a thriving veggie garden in your own space: 1. Build a raised plant bed The soil in a raised bed is often less compacted, and will drain better than soil in the ground. Additionally, having raised beds will make it much easier for you to spot any pest issues, as your crops will be higher off the ground. And that’s not to mention how much your back will thank you! 2. Place your plant bed in a prime position Be sure to choose a spot that receives full sun for most of the day so that your crop can photosynthesize optimally. 3. Add high-quality soil, compost, and some fertiliser This combination will ensure a healthy environment for your seeds to prosper, as it will stimulate plant growth and aid water retention. 4. Plant your crop in a triangular formation By planting in this way, you’ll create an extra bit of room for your veggies to grow. This, in turn, will reduce their risk of stress, disease, and insect invasion. Alternatively, you can encourage vining crops to climb upwards by adding trellises on the sides of your raised bed.
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By doing this, you’ll allow the vining crops to enjoy improved air circulation, which can reduce the potential of them experiencing fungal diseases. Simply secure your trellises to sturdy end posts with string or nylon mesh and tie your vines to the trellis. 5. Border your veggies with natural security Plant some parsley or marigold around the edges of your plant bed to keep pests away. 6. Water generously once a week Water your veggies heavily once a week, instead of a little bit every now and then. This will force the roots to reach further down into the soil to get moisture, thus improving self-sufficiency. 7. Harvest regularly and remove old blooms This will encourage new growth. As an alternative, you can also plant your crops in succession to allow you to grow more than one type of vegetable per season. For example, you could follow an early crop of lettuce with a fast-maturing corn, followed by more greens. Just be sure to replenish the soil each time you replant.
The best veggies to grow in a raised plant bed: • • • • •
Root vegetables Leafy greens Onions Tomatoes Potatoes
