Spring is finally here! The sun is shining, temperatures are rising, and you're probably excited to spend more time outdoors. One way to enjoy your time outside this spring is to plant a vegetable garden. Not only is planting veggies fun, but even a small garden can provide you with a bounty of fresh produce to enjoy. If you're considering adding a vegetable garden to your home in Bergen County, our agents recommend doing these five things first.
1. Choose Your Location Carefully
Most vegetable plants need plenty of sun to thrive and produce an ample harvest. So, before you plant your garden, pay close attention to your yard and how much sun various parts of the yard receive throughout the day. Pick a location that spends more time in the sun than in the shade.
Also, consider how well your chosen garden spot drains. Ideally, you want to avoid planting in really low areas that hold a lot of water, as this can drown out the plants' roots.
2. Prepare the Soil
There are two approaches you can take here. If your soil is of decent quality and drains well, you can till your chosen garden spot. After doing so, work some compost into the soil. This will add nutrients for the plants to use.
If your soil quality is lacking, you can instead build a raised bed and fill it with quality soil from your local garden center. A blend of peat moss and compost tends to work well. This mixture remains loose so plant roots can easily push through it, providing lots of nutrition.
3. Choose Your Vegetables
If this is your first time planting a garden, keep it simple. Choosing three plants is plenty. You could even keep it to one or two if desired.
Some of the easiest garden plants for beginners to grow include beans, tomatoes, peppers, and snap peas. Cucumbers and squash are also easy to grow, but they take up a lot of space because the plants send out long vines. Only plant these vegetables if you have ample room.
4. Create a Planting Calendar
If you buy seeds or seedlings, they should come with some planting instructions. These instructions should include recommendations as to when to plant, depending on the region you are in. Bergen County falls into hardiness zones 6b, 7a, and 7b, so follow planting timelines for your zone.
Sit down with a calendar, and map out which days you can plant each type of plant on your list. This way, you are less likely to plant something early—or forget to plant it.
5. Stock Up on Tools
Before you get too far into your gardening project, buying some basic tools is a good idea. This way, you'll have the items you need on hand and won't need to make last-minute trips to the garden store.
Some of the tools and supplies you'll want include a good pair of gardening gloves, a small trowel, a hoe, and a watering can. Pruning shears, a garden fork, a small rake, and a nozzle attachment for your hose are also good to have. If you need a new hose or hose reel, now is the time to buy those items too.
As soon as you've completed all of these steps, you can start planting your garden! Your yard will look more alive and vibrant, and you'll have veggies to enjoy through the summer. If you're still looking at Ridgewood homes for sale, please contact us. We'll help you find the perfect spot with a yard for a garden.
