Gardening tips for healthy vegetables
Make sure you follow these 3 tips for a healthy garden.
Problem solved, USA TODAY
As the days get longer and the weather warms up, it's time to start rethinking our gardens.
The ground may still be frozen, and while we are months away from working days outside in the hot summer sun, in the meantime there are many things we can do to prepare for the upcoming gardening season.
Garden design
You can start thinking about where to go to the garden this winter. Ideally, the garden should be in a sunny position with well-drained soil. A garden closer to the house will also attract more attention than one further away, because you'll see it and the plants that need tending to it more often. Proximity to a water source is also important, and if your site is at high risk of harming wildlife, you may want to consider bird fencing or netting. It can be helpful to draw a plan of the garden on paper so that you can see the space before planting the seeds.
Once the soil has finally thawed, it's time to do a soil fertility test to make sure your plants are getting the right levels of nutrients they need to grow. Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory offers accurate and convenient soil fertility testing for gardens of all sizes, with personalized recommendations for the specific crops you grow.
Start the seeds indoors
Many plants can be grown indoors in cool weather and planted outdoors as seedlings in spring. Lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and greens can all be started early and moved to the garden. Using an insect and disease free growing medium will be the best choice for healthy plants. Clean containers are also important. These can be plastic containers, peat pots or earthen blocks. Plastic container lids can help maintain temperature and humidity during seed germination, but should be removed as soon as the plants begin to grow. This will allow for better airflow and reduce the chance of disease problems such as humidity.
Seedlings growing indoors also need additional lighting. For this, you can use fluorescent or LED lamps. Plants need 14-16 hours of light a day, and you can set a timer to turn the lights on and off automatically. The light source should also be placed close to the plants (1-2 inches) so that they receive adequate light intensity. As the plants grow, the lamps should be raised to avoid contact with the young plants.
Transplant in open ground
Fresh seasonal vegetables can often be moved outdoors in April. However, the seedlings must be hardened off before they can be taken outside. Hardening off is the process of gradual adaptation of plants to the outdoor environment, where sunlight, wind and temperature fluctuations can be stressful for young plants growing indoors. Hardening of seedlings should be carried out in partial sunlight, on bright windless days and at night. The cold outer frame can help harden off the plants. This process involves a smooth transition and should be done a week or two before transplanting into the garden. After the seedlings have hardened, they can be transplanted carefully so as not to damage the stems. The surrounding soil should be firmed up slightly and then watered thoroughly.
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Direct sowing
Some fresh crops, such as carrots, peas, spinach, and radishes, grow well when planted directly in beds. These plants can usually be planted after the soil has been worked. It is important to follow the planting guidelines for each crop and not to plant the seeds too deeply. After sowing, the seeds should be covered with soil and watered. The seedbed should be kept moist after the seeds have dropped to the ground as they can dry out at this stage.
Take care of your garden
In addition to ensuring your garden is watered to its full potential, performance must be maintained based on soil analysis. Proper placement and airflow will further reduce disease problems. Weed control in small gardens can be achieved by hand weeding and using organic mulch. Mulch not only helps control weeds, but it also retains moisture and adds organic matter to the soil.
With proper planning, timing, and attention to detail, your spring garden can produce a good crop of fresh vegetables early in the season. why do you wait for time to grow!
For more information, visit the Rutgers Home, Lawn and Garden website at njaes.rutgers.edu/home-lawn-garden/.
William Erickson is the agriculture and natural resources agent for Rutgers Cooperative of Monmouth County.
