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Vegetable Gardening in the Spring
As soon as springtime hits, not only am I happy to see the last of the snow and ice hit, but I start to think about what I am going to plant in my spring vegetable garden. Nothing says goodbye to the cold days of winter like freshly picked vegetables right from you grown garden. But not everybody grows their own vegetables. It is actually quite easy to plant and enjoy a spring vegetable garden.
Where to Start?
For spring vegetable gardening, the first thing you want to consider is your space. Vegetables need lots of sun to grow ideally they should get at least 8-10 hours of sunlight each day.
While some vegetables can be grown successfully in the shade, most of what goes into a spring vegetable garden needs to be in full sunlight. Next, you will want to consider the soil. Ideally, plants should grow in rich soil that is highly organic.
You can test the composition of your soil with at-home kits available at most garden stores and through online garden supply companies. Many companies will also come out and test your soil for you for a small fee.
If your soil is not ideal, you can add compost or other purchased fertilizers to bring the pH up to a level that will best benefit your plants. You can also do your spring vegetable gardening in large planters on your porch or patio, where you can completely control the type of soil used.
What Should I Plant?
Spring vegetable gardening is a little different in that you will want to select vegetables with an early maturity. That means that they will grow quickly! Spring gardens are usually full of vegetables that can withstand the cooler nighttime temperatures, as well as the daytime heat. You also want to be sure that you are selecting varieties that are recommended for your local area.
Spring temperatures vary greatly from region to region (as does soil type), and you want to make sure that your spring vegetable garden is a success. You local garden center can provide you with a list of what grows best in your area. As a general rule, root vegetables such as turnips, radishes, and spring onions are ideal spring crops.
Early peas and beans are also good choices. They will mature quickly, can withstand evening drops in temperature, and you will be enjoying them in no time. You can also plant herbs in a spring vegetable garden. Most of the herbs that you plant in the spring will continue to produce all summer. |
