Vegetable Garden in Beds
1. Sunlight: Pick an area that receives at least 6 hours of direct sun each day.
2. Soil Composition: Whether you are planting in an established garden or creating a whole new garden, it is a good idea to determine the texture and structure of your soil. Dig up the soil a bit; take a handful of soil, squeeze it in your palm and then open your hand.
- Clay soil will sit in your hand in a big lump
- If so, amend with topsoil + sweet peat + pink bark soil conditioner
- Sweet Peet adds nutrient value to your soil.
- Pine Bark Soil Conditioner quickly breaks down your clay soil into enriched soil
- Sandy soil will not stick together – even briefly.
- If so, amend with topsoil, peat moss, manure and sweet peat.
- Sweet Peet adds nutrients while peat moss, manure and topsoil add substance
- Sandy soil will not stick together – even briefly.
3. Prepping Soil: New beds will need to be stripped of sod. Then spread your amendments on the bed and cultivate by hand or machine. Dig and turn the soil to a depth of 6-8” to break up large chunks and rocks.
4. Arrange your plants: Giving your plants room to grow is key. Follow your plant tags or seed packets for the distance needed between plants.
5. Fertilize: Use organic garden-tone to fertilize each of your plants. Reapply each month!
6. Water: Consistency is key! Water your plants in when they are first installed. Then keep track of our rainfall and make sure your plants receive a thorough soaking.
7. Support: As your plants grow, it is important to provide them with support. You can use cages or garden stakes for your tomatoes, eggplants, okra and peppers. Vining plants like cucumbers, winter squashes, watermelon and more can be trellised to keep the vines and fruit off the ground.
Container Vegetable Garden
Your vegetables can also be planted in containers too! Be sure to give your tomato and pepper plants plenty of room.
1. Sunlight: Pick an area that receives at least 6 hours of direct sun each day.
2. Soil Composition: When planting in containers, you need well-draining soil that has nutrient value. We recommend Lambert potting soil. The mix should be ¾ potting soil and ¼ sweet peat.
3. Prepping Soil: Mix your potting soil and sweet peat together!
4. Selecting Plants: Pick varieties of vegetable plants that stay small and can easily be grown in containers. Our recommendations include: Bell Peppers, Determinate Tomato Plants, Eggplant, Zucchini, Bush Beans, Okra, Cucumbers, Strawberry Plants, Carrots, Onions, Peas and more.
5. Space your plants: Giving your plants room to grow is key. DO NOT CROWD your planters. Follow your plant tags or seed packets for the distance needed between plants.
6. Fertilize: Use organic garden-tone to fertilize each of your plants. Reapply each month!
7. Water: Consistency is key! Water your plants in when they are first installed. Then keep track of our rainfall and make sure your plants receive a thorough soaking.
8. Stake: As your plants grow, it is important to provide them with support. You can use cages or garden stakes for your tomatoes, eggplants, okra and peppers. Vining plants like cucumbers, winter squashes, watermelon and more can be trellised to keep the vines and fruit off the ground.