Master Gardener Ideas For Stating Small Vegetable Garden

Tips for Beginning Vegetable Gardeners

Whether it is your first vegetable garden or you have been growing vegetables for 50 years, there are some basic principles that if followed will help make your garden be a success...

First, it takes good soil to grow good crops. I'm not a fan of bringing new soil into your garden but I do believe you can greatly improve the soil you have. Start by getting a soil test done. That will tell you what levels of plant nutrients you have in your soil. It will tell you if you need to add lime or nutrients and how much of each is needed to maximize plant growth. Add organic matter to your soil. Good sources of organic matter include livestock manures, leaves, compost, and kitchen scraps. Soils with good organic matter not only can better feed plants, but they can withstand drought much better.
Second, start small. It is better to have a small garden that is well maintained than a large garden that is a weedy mess.
Third, select vegetable varieties that perform well in our area. Local greenhouse growers are a great source of proven plants. Talk to experienced gardeners to see what varieties they are using. The cheapest seed of the cheapest plants are not always the best choice. Some varieties have disease resistance that helps ensure you will get a good return for your time and effort. It is a good idea to start with the crops you enjoy the most, and then expand your garden in coming years.
Fourth, control the weeds. Use plastic mulch or organic mulch early to prevent weed growth. Never allow weeds to go to seed in your garden. If you find that your garden is too big to keep weeded, then you need to rethink what you are doing.
Fifth, do not let your plants become drought stressed. Watering when the soil is just starting to get dry is much better than waiting until your plants show signs of drought stress. Drought stress causes the plant to abort blossoms, stops normal plant growth, resulting in smaller fruit that is often defective.
Sixth, be prepared to protect your garden from wildlife. Deer, groundhogs, rabbits, and other wildlife can destroy a garden in a short amount of time. The animals coming into your garden may be cute but they are also creating a food safety hazard. Scare crows, spray on repellents, and noise makers all provide temporary protection but eventually wildlife becomes accustomed to them and they no longer are effective. While fencing can be expensive, it does offer a more permanent solution.

Finally, enjoy your garden. It is your personal sanctuary where you can care for living things that are going to reward you for your efforts.

For more information contact your local extension office. In Lackawanna County call 570-963-6842 or email LackawannaMG@psu.edu.