If you want to have a beautiful and healthy garden year after year, you must learn the secrets of vegetable gardening crop rotation. Vegetable gardening crop rotation is the process of planting your vegetables in a different place in the garden each year. While this requires a little bit of thought and planning before you do your spring planting, vegetable gardening crop rotation is worth the effort because it will increase your yields come harvest time.

Why is Vegetable Gardening Crop Rotation Essential?

All good gardeners know that the soil you plant in contains nutrients that feed and enrich your crop. What you might not know is that the soil also has the potential to contain disease and pests that can ruin your garden plants. Vegetable Gardening Crop Rotation helps to lessen the damage that pests and disease can cause.

At the end of the gardening season, most bad bugs lay eggs that will hatch and grown and then hide out in your garden soil, waiting for next year’s garden to emerge. You can outsmart these critters by vegetable gardening crop rotation. Squash and pumpkins are often attacked by squash borers. These little bugs pierce the vines of your plants sucking out the nutrients until the leaves wither away and the vine eventually dies.

They will even suck the liquid right out of your squash, leaving behind a shell. If you plant tomatoes this year, where your squash were planted last year, the squash borers will emerge far away from the plant they like best. This doesn’t mean that you won’t see squash borers on your vines, but it does help to deter them.

Garden diseases can also affect your crop yields. If a viral disease that green beans are susceptible to hits, it can wipe out your crop for seasons to come. That bacteria can live in the soil through the winter and prey on next year’s crop. The best defense against this is to plant new crops in different places using vegetable gardening crop rotation. If you plant corn where you had your beans last year, you can be confident that if there is any residual bacterial disease left in the soil from your beans, it can’t hurt your corn.

It is important to understand what crops share diseases when you practice vegetable gardening crop rotation. For example, tomatoes and potatoes should never be planted in the same area or where one or the other was planted the season before. These two very different vegetables actually share the same diseases.

Getting ready to put in a garden can be an exciting time in the spring and determining the vegetable garden design can be part of the process of planning what vegetables to plant where in the garden. Some folks who are really dedicated to having a good crop of vegetables include raised beds in their vegetable garden design as it allows the ground to warm quicker, stay warmer longer and provide better drainage, slightly extending the growing season, no matter which part of the country in which they live.

The major factor in determining vegetable garden design is the space available for the garden. Not everyone will have a large enough plot of land to devote a major portion of it to a garden. However, it may be surprising the amount of produce that can be harvested from even a small garden. People living in apartments have been successful in raising some of the best vegetables in small patio gardens and in containers, provided they establish a vegetable garden design to make the most use of the limited space.

Other than rich soil, about the only other requirement to growing a successful garden is an abundance of sunshine. Making sure the plants receive sufficient water is also part of the equation, but with the right vegetable garden design and the right soil mixture, watering can be kept to a minimum while still providing all of the plants with the amount of water they require.

Most Sunshine Available To The South

The majority of areas above the equator receive the most sunshine from the south and a good vegetable garden design will be planted with rows running north to south. This provides sunshine to all of the plants in the garden, instead of those that are planted with rows running west to east, where the first row will have plenty of sun and the subsequent rows will be shaded from the previous rows. Planting some of the plants in small hills in the garden can have the same affect on the plants.

Many plants can be started indoors from seed, instead of having to buy starter plants, but some plants are not conducive to being transplanted and will have to be planted directly into the soil. When considering the vegetable garden design, it is important to consider how much space some plants will need compared to others, and if planting from seed, insuring the design leaves sufficient room for those growing from seed in the basement or garage.

Nearly every spring there are people that have the notion of planting a vegetable garden to have fresh produce through the summer and fall. In addition to the fresh taste that homegrown vegetables provide, they can also provide a savings to the family food budget as well as alleviate some of the concerns of what might be used to help the crops grow. Additionally, having their own vegetable garden allows people to grow the types and quantity of vegetables they will use with the only limits being the size of the space they have available.

Most products will require a sunny location in which to grow and even those without space in their yard for a large vegetable garden can grow their own in small patio gardens or in containers. The larger the space available for a vegetable garden obviously will result in a better harvest at the end of the season but will also require a larger investment in sweat equity.

In order to have a productive vegetable garden, planning of the types of crops needs to be conducted way ahead of time as well as soil preparation and knowing what plants can be started from seed in your basement and what plants you are better off buying as starter plants from a local greenhouse.

Choosing The Crops That Will Be Used

When putting in a vegetable garden only the crops that will be used should be planted. If a person is not that fond of tomatoes for instance, they probably should not bother with them unless they plan to give them away. Remember too, that some of the crops will grow without need for continual attention while others may require almost constant care to insure a bumper crop.

There is not secret that if you are going to plant and care for a vegetable garden you have to dig it, and soil preparation is probably the most time consuming and labor-intensive part of having your own vegetable garden in the backyard. Most plants grow will in loose soil or lightly compacted ground, but even soil that contains a lot of clay can produce a good crop if the soil is worked with things such as vermiculate or sand to provide a growing medium conducive to developing a good root structure.

Many of the items grown in a vegetable garden can be harvested and frozen or canned for use throughout the winter, but some do not lend themselves to be saved for long. Planting only what you will use of those plants will save you a lot of energy that can be used on the ones that you can pack away for the winter.

Many people think that if you stick a seed in the ground and give it some water, it will grow, but seasoned gardeners know it is not that simple. While water, soil, and sunlight all play a part in growing a garden understanding the best vegetable gardening planting times for your crop and for your zone will make your growing season a success.

What Zone Are You?

Vegetable gardening planting times vary depending on where you live. The United States Department of Agriculture has divided up the United States, Mexico, and Canada into zones of hardiness and the map of those zones will help you to understand the unique vegetable gardening planting times for the place that you live.

The zone map breaks North America down into separate zones that are based on the lowest winter temperature for each area. California is in a different zone than New York, because New York experiences much colder winters than those on the west coast. An orange tree will survive in the warm California zone, but would die if it faces a New York snowstorm.

Because planting zones are based on weather patterns, they give you a basis for deciding you vegetable gardening planting times. In warmer zones, plants can go into the garden much earlier. For example, in some parts of Texas, you can plant cantaloupe from September to February, but in Minnesota, you couldn’t plant your cantaloupe until May. If you could work the ground, and you planted cantaloupe seeds in St. Paul in March, the cold weather would keep your seeds from sprouting and if you transplanted older plants into the garden a killing frost would destroy them.

Vegetable Gardening Planting Times for Fall Gardens

There is nothing better than reaping a second harvest long after your garden should be done producing. It is easy to get a fall harvest if you understand vegetable garden planting times. If you want to have a fall crop of beans, corn, or even tomatoes, make sure you replant those crops in your garden in July.

Fall is also a great time for growing cold weather crops that will bolt in the summer. Take time to plant peas, lettuce, and cabbage in mid July to early August and you will be harvesting these cool weather crops about the time your neighbors are tilling their gardens under for the year. Root crops also thrive in the fall, so late august is the time to plant your leftover radish seeds for a sweet treat in the lovely days of Autumn.

 
How about that? You are finally going to get around to planting your vegetable garden. The gods have smiled upon you this year with good weather, extra time, and even a little energy. And, you are bound and determined to make up for the disaster that was your garden last year. You have taken stock of where you went wrong, and realized that your garden might benefit from use of a vegetable garden fertilizer.
 
But, What To Use?
 
The biggest choice you will have to make is whether to use an organic or chemically enhanced vegetable garden fertilizer in this year’s garden. Once you have decided which fertilizer you wish to use, the next step is for you to get the Ph balance of your soil tested. Often there are local agricultural groups that will test your soil for little or no cost to you. You can consult your local yellow pages for an office near you.
 
Check! One Soil Test Completed!
 
Once you have received the results you should consult with your lawn and garden professional to begin to determine the best vegetable garden fertilizer for you to use in your garden. The professional will evaluate a number of factors in determining which vegetable garden fertilizer to recommend for you. You might also wish to do a bit of internet research on the subject. So that, you can understand more about the information you are being given.
 
Also, you will want to come armed with some information for your soil consultation. You should know how big of an area you will need to fertilize. In addition, it will be helpful for you to bring a diagram of the plant layout for your garden area. Sometimes, based on plant placement and variety, several different types of fertilizers will be recommended for your garden.
 
Timing Matters
 
Also, it will be important to consider in which area you live in to determine how, when and where, in relation to the plants, to use your fertilizer. A vegetable garden fertilizer inserted into the garden too early will have little or effect on plant growth.
 
In contrast, a vegetable garden fertilizer put into the soil too late, or in excessive amounts will burn your plants to a crisp. The form of application, for example, using a broadcast spreader will also be determined based on your needs. The most important thing is to gather as much information about your garden, so that you can make the proper adjustments to your vegetable garden fertilizer levels. And, after that you can just watch your beautiful vegetables grow big and strong!
 
 

In the summer, there is nothing that I like more than to be able to make dinner from the fresh herbs and vegetables from my garden. Aside from the health benefits, there’s nothing that tastes better. But just because you don’t live somewhere that allows you to plant a large vegetable and herb garden doesn’t mean that you have to miss out. You can grow an entire garden on your porch or patio!

What Kind of Containers to Use

Because your vegetable and herb garden will be contained, you will want to look for containers that are large enough to hold both the plant itself and its roots. For herbs, a smaller container for each individual plant will work, as will a larger, long container where you can plant several varieties together.

Peppers will thrive in a medium size container. And tomatoes need a larger container and room to grow – tomato plants grow up and will eventually need a cage or stake to help them grow upright. Most manufacturers also make containers to match any décor – you can get planters that look like stone, wood, or the traditional terra cotta.

What Types of Plants Grow Well?

When selecting plants for patio vegetable and herb gardening, there are several varieties that are generally successful. Patio favorites are tomato plants. They grow easily in a container, and you will quickly be enjoying fresh tomatoes. While any variety of tomatoes will grow well in a large container on your porch or patio, there are varieties that are specifically for containers.

These varieties often grow shorter and are more compact. Peppers are another plant that does very well in a container. Ask at your local garden center and they will be able to help you select plants that will meet your needs. Of course, you also want to be sure you are growing plants in your vegetable and herb garden that you will enjoy eating!

Most any herbs will grow well in pots on your patio. Consider the herbs that you use most often in your cooking, and focus on those. For example, in my herb garden I grow basil, parsley, oregano, cilantro, mint, thyme and rosemary. They all grow well in small pots, and are a tasty addition to my cooking.

How to Care for Your Patio Vegetable and Herb Garden

Caring for your vegetable and herb garden is actually quite simple. Because your plants are growing in containers, the soil is likely to already be full of nutrients and organic material. You can add fertilizer occasionally or compost if you have it. You will need to water your plants daily – remember, because they are not in the ground, the soil will not retain as much water. Also make sure that your plants get plenty of sun.

The tomato, one of the easiest plants to grow in the garden can provide a burst of flavor when picked fresh from the vine. Whether eaten like an apple, sliced onto a sandwich or processed into spaghetti sauce it is one of the most popular homegrown vegetables. Although with its seeds inside, botanists refer to them as fruits they are technically berries. However, whatever they care called with a few tomato gardening tips tomatoes can be easily grown in the garden.

There are two ways to get started growing tomatoes, one is to grow the plants directly from seed, starting them indoors, and the easy way is to buy them from a nursery ready to go directly into the garden. If buying from a nursery, make sure they have not been in the pot too long. Plants are usually ready for planting in six to eight weeks and the roots should not overfill a four-inch pot. Look at the drain hole on the bottom of the pot and if the roots are growing through, it has been there too long. With good tomato gardening tips they can be made to get over the stress of being transplanted and produce good fruit.

While not overly picky about the soil, tomato gardening tips recommend checking acidity will help the plants grow healthy and strong. Humus and mulch can help provide the plants the nutrients they need without the use of chemical fertilizers. There are also electronic testers that provide the pH level of the soil along with its fertility.

Large Plants Will Need Extra Support

Once the plant is in the ground and begins to grow, stakes or cages should be used to keep them from falling over and to keep the tomatoes off the ground while they ripen. As the fruit grow larger and heavier it can bend the plant and cause it to break, stopping the growth process. With tomato gardening tips keep the plant tied to stake, checking it frequently and rearranging the limbs around cages can keep it upright and sturdy. If tying the limbs to the stake use soft, expandable rope to prevent it from cutting into the plant. A strip from old nylon stockings work well.

Additional tomato gardening tips advise to cultivate around the plant as it grown to keep the weeds from stealing all the food in the soil the tomato plant also need to grow. Keep an eye out for any bug population that will eat the plants or burrow into the fruit as it ripens.

Most of time when people think about gardening, they envision an area of the ground tilled and filled with vegetable plants. Truth is, not everyone has the space for a large garden and still want the fresh flavor homegrown vegetables can provide. There are several items that work as a tomato gardening container and the choice is limited only by the grower’s imagination and its adaptability to the plant’s expected size.

As an example, an old boot can be used as a tomato gardening container on the porch or deck, but if the plant is expected to grow tall and bushy, it may not allow the roots the room they need for proper development. Additionally, the type of container should fit into the environment in which it is placed as well as compliment the plants it holds. A tomato gardening container should also provide easy access to help the plant grow to its full size, enabling it to produce all the fruit it is capable of growing.

One of the advantages of a tomato gardening container is the flexibility of its location. Since tomato plants enjoy being in full sunshine most of the day, if the person has a small yard in which a garden is not possible, plating tomatoes in a wheeled container, a wheel barrel for instance, it can be moved around to keep it in the sun.

Enjoy Fresh Tomatoes In Winter

Another plus for using a tomato gardening container is that tomatoes can be grown all year long, even in cold climates. In the fall a hearty plant can be placed into a tomato gardening container and taken indoors, preferably near a window with plenty of sunshine, and it can supply tomatoes through the winter. The container in which they grow should be large enough to hold the plant and still be small enough to be portable.

Smaller varieties of tomato plants can be placed into hanging baskets and hung from a porch ceiling or even from a tree limb. Many of this type of tomato gardening container will have to be high enough to keep the plant and the tomatoes from dragging on the ground when they reach maturity. They can replace a hanging basket of flowers outdoors and provide a good appearance as well as something healthy to eat.

With the variety of tomato gardening containers available there are few reasons a person cannot enjoy the taste of fresh tomatoes in any weather, or in any location.

For many homeowners tomato gardening can be a time to enjoy being outdoors and they watch their plants and satisfaction grow in equal proportion. To some it is a hobby and to others a desire to have the freshest fruit possible. Still others will use the tomatoes to make their own sauces for their meals, knowing the tomatoes are fresh and exactly what fertilizers and pesticides were used to help them grow and survive.

There is work involved in tomato gardening, especially prior to planting as the soil must be prepared and, it is recommended, tested for acidity and brought to neutral pH prior to putting the plants into the ground. Cultivated or tilled, the soil is loosened to provide a firm, yet open space for the roots to grow and it should hold all the nutrients needed for the plants to grow and thrive.

For many, tomato gardening also involves a daily walk, weather permitting, through the area to check the status of the plants, looking for signs of disease or problems with bugs and to make sure the plants are growing at an expected rate. It can also provide an excuse to get out of the house and tomato gardening can provide quiet time for contemplation.

End Result Is The Payoff For Labor

Depending on the number of plants, tomato gardening can be a fun experience and watching the fruits of your labor mature and grow ready for harvest is also a satisfying experience. Picking fresh fruit, washing it and slicing it onto a sandwich can make all the effort put into tomato gardening well worth it.

Additionally, tomato gardening can supply a full supply for people to make their own sauces for spaghetti, pizza and others where tomatoes are the main ingredient. While making sauce is a labor intensive process, a bushel of tomatoes can make about two-gallons of homemade sauce. How it is seasoned is a personal choice, but being able to use your own produce in your own sauce also brings a sense of personal satisfaction. You grew the tomatoes, you made and sauce and now you can feed the family through your efforts of tomato gardening.

For those seriously interested in tomato gardening, starting the plants from seed in the basement or a homemade hot box can add to the satisfaction of personal efforts. Seeds can be started six to eight weeks before planting time putting your own plants in the soil also adds to the satisfaction gained from your tomato gardening efforts.

With a couple thousand varieties of tomatoes, how you create your tomato garden will depend on the type of tomatoes you are planning to grow. There are plants that mature at about two-feet high and others that can grow as tall as eight-feet. The height will determine the type stakes you use to keep the plants upright, but how wide they bush will decide how far apart to plant them.

Typically, the plants are placed in prepared soil with two to three feet between the plants for those expected to grow to an average width. Many varieties can become exceptionally bushy and caring for the plants as they grow larger will be easier if placed four or even five feet apart. When the plants in the tomato garden are young is the time to add a vertical cage it you expect them to bush as once they get so large, adding the cage may not be possible. Tomatoes can thrive being watered about once a week, for often in excessively dry weather without becoming too stressed to produce.

Prior to the weekly visit to water, check the plants’ progress and if any limbs are hanging low, rearrange them into the cage or, if using stakes in the tomato garden, secure them with twine or another material that will not cut through the vine. It is important to keep the tomatoes from lying on the ground to help keep bugs off the fruit.

Do Not Let Nature Bug Your Plants

In the early stages of growth, walking through the tomato garden on a regular basis can keep an eye out for bugs and diseases that may destroy the plants or the subsequent fruit as it grows. Many people will use chemical pesticides on the plants to keep the bug population from exploding, but if there are other plants adjacent to your tomato garden, the pesticides may prevent proper pollination. For example, cucumbers need help from bees to grow their fruit, and many pesticides chase the bees away.

There are several forms of all-natural pesticides that can provide the same benefit without causing harm to surrounding plantings. Additionally, chemicals can be extremely harmful if eaten with the vegetables in the tomato garden being thoroughly washed prior to consumption.

Plants growing in a tomato garden will present a distinct aroma when you work around them pulling weeds and keeping the branches and fruit tied up from the ground. It is a very pleasant, somewhat sweet smell that many who have a tomato garden claim smells like success.