Growing vegetables in a victory garden
You’ve doubtless noticed the soaring cost of groceries lately. Yes, we all know about the price of gas raising the cost of transporting goods, thus raising the price of food. Now we hear that bees are disappearing from their hives at a truly alarming rate - at last report, it’s estimated that fully 30% of all the bees have mysteriously disappeared in just the past year. The implications for the future prices of produce don’t bear thinking about when you put the two factors together. Just as in the World War II era of the so-called victory garden, we may well think about growing vegetables in our own gardens this summer.
This is not to say that growing vegetables for food is a dreary prospect. On the contrary, putting in a vegetable garden is fun, good exercise, saves you money and gives you a delicious reward at the table. If you take an organic approach to growing vegetables and don’t use pesticides, you reap even more benefits. You don’t have to shop, pay for or carry the produce from the store. You save space in the frig, since you pick what you need for the day’s meals. When freshly picked, more of the vitamins and minerals are retained. Best of all, home grown vegetables taste fabulous.
If you’ve never grown veggies, start with a small garden of your family’s favorites. A four foot by eight foot space makes an admirable salad garden for a family of four. Plant just two tomato plants - you’ll have an abundance, with enough left over for a winter’s supply of marinara sauce. Lettuce, radishes, spring onions and carrots are quite easy to grow. Zucchini plants, like tomatos, are prolific bearers. When growing vegetables, don’t overplant. It’s easy to do.
If you’re going to grow vegetables, you’d be remiss if you didn’t put in a small herb garden. Fresh herbs are far superior to any dried herbs. Dill is great with fish and in potato salad. Basil is a tomato’s best friend. Sage, rosemary, parsley, marjoram and oregano are good in any savory dish. Growing vegetables almost demands an herb garden.
The biggest challenge before you is preparing the ground. Till your plot thoroughly, add quantities of compost and test for the proper pH, which is generally 6.5 to 7 for most veggies. When the soil is soft and crumbles easily through your hands, it’s good to go.
If this is your first try at growing vegetables, buy started plants from a reliable nursery. Plant them as soon as possible after purchase. Don’t let them sit around for even a few days. Water regularly and don’t let the ground get dry. Feed the plants once a month and keep your garden weed free.
Now all you need to do is wait for the delicious harvest.
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