Home Vegetable Garden

Home vegetable gardens do not take a lot of your time and provide a solid reward for the work your do. Gardening can really help households come together have a hobby together. Especially consider a vegetable garden if you:

• really like the idea of growing your own food.
  
• want to know what is going into and on your food.
  
• are feeling drained by the high price of produce.
  
• want something to talk about and share with friends and family.

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Vegetable Garden Advice

Sunlight

• Vegetables need at least eight hours of full sun light exposure every day.

Water

• An automated watering system will make your life a lot easier. You don't have to invest in an expensive irrigation system. A battery operated timer attached to a water hose and sprinkler will do the trick. Just be sure the water wets the entire garden. Battery operated timers can be found at hardware stores.

Layout

• A 4x4 or 4x8  garden box or garden plot work very well for vegetables. Buy a few trellises and stakes. These will help to train some of your vegetables to grow properly.
• Feel free to plant some fruit bearing trees around your garden. Be certain they are far enough away so they do not block the sun. Fig trees and satsumas grow really well in Louisiana.

Soil

• Speak with the people at your local gardening center for what works best with your plants. Usually you will want a good amount of organic matter in your soil and good drainage.

Height

• Think about how often you will have to lean over. Instead of getting down, get up. Build a raised garden box about waist high so you get save your back.

Plants

• Your local garden center can guide you on what will grow in your area. Look at the available selection and pick what your like. 
• Buying from seeds is very cheap and you should have seeds to share with a friend.
• Don't stop at vegetables. Fruits grow very well here.

Seasons

• It is important to remember plants are only in season at certain times of the year. You can get a large variety of vegetables by completely replanting three times a year.

Mulch

• Once you are done planting and there are plants that have grown up some, it is time to mulch. Mulch will prevent weeds and will retain moisture.

Weeds

• Mulch will only help prevent weeds, but some will still grow. For most weeds, it is best to pull them as long as you get them when they are young and have not seeded yet.

Gardening Basics

• Keep a garden fork, hoe, shovel,  wheel barrow, hose, a bag of soil, a bag of mulch and a spade handy. These will help with general maintenance in the future and if you are are remotely serious about gardening, you will need them.

Animals

• If you notice vegetables missing from your garden, you may have some hungry people or animals nearby. First, check with your family. If it is not them, you have hungry critters. A fence will get this to stop. For most small animals, a very low fence will do the trick. If you are in an area with deer, you will have to invest in a higher fence or a hunting license.

Family

• Get your family to help. Gardening with family can be very fun and help you to grow closer.
  
• Kids who grow food have a better respect for what it takes to get food on their plate. They are also much more likely to eat vegetables if they help grow and prepare them.
  

GreenSeasons is glad to help with any gardening needs you may have. If you would like for use to install, maintain and plant a vegetable garden for you, just click here and we will give your a call.
If you would just like some more advice on vegetable gardens, please contact us.