Celebrate Earth Day and Plant a Garden

One of the best things you can do for your body is to eat healthy fruits and vegetables every day. But even more rewarding may be growing your own fruits and vegetables in your backyard.

Now is the time to start thinking about planting a garden. Even if you don’t have the space for more than a few tomato plants, or are limited to potted plants on your deck, you can enjoy a garden and the “fruits” of your labor.

Here are some basic tips to help you get started.

Decide What to Grow

Common vegetables like tomatoes and zucchini are easy to grow in most regions within the United States. If you decide to plant multiple types of vegetables, don’t be afraid of variety. Add some corn, broccoli or carrots to your garden. But, be sure to allow enough space in between plants so they can spread. Follow the recommendations on the packets of seeds you buy, and be sure to grow vegetables and fruits you enjoy!

Start Indoors

Growing plants from seeds can be difficult, which is why it is a good idea to start your seeds indoors. Most home improvement and garden centers sell peat cups you can start your seeds in, then transplant directly to your garden after any danger of frost – without even taking the soil out of the peat cups. Or, you can use old egg cartons to start your seeds. Transplant your seedlings outdoors when the danger of frost has passed and they are big enough to survive on their own (about four weeks).

Prepare Your Soil

The richness of the soil will directly impact how big your garden grows, and how fruitful your garden becomes. Aerate the soil with a hoe, shovel or motorized tiller. Mix compost or peat with your soil, along with vegetable-safe fertilizer designed for gardens. If you have access to manure, add that in for even richer soil.

Composting is another great way to help your soil become rich. Composting takes food scraps (vegetables and fruits – not proteins like meats or cheese) and decomposes them until they become nutrient-rich fertilizer for your soil. Composting requires either a little space for a pile, or a compost drum, and is an eco-friendly way to make your own soil.

Plant and Feed

Once your plants are planted, make sure you keep them watered well, and that they get plenty of sunshine. It’s recommended you water them every other day (every day if you are doing potted gardens on your deck) and that you maintain that nutrient-dense soil with compost and/or garden fertilizer.

Now enjoy your garden! And keep those garden pests like bugs and bunnies away.

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