Gardening is fun, but it is work. Here are some common errors made when planning and planting a garden. Do not dismay; they are easy to fix and there is a lot of help available from our own staff.
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| A friend's raised bed garden |
1. Planting too Early or too Late
Tomatoes, peppers, squash, eggplant, basil, snap and lima beans, cantaloupe, and watermelon should be planted after all danger of frost is gone and when the soil has warmed a bit. Planting later (mid-May to mid-June) takes advantage of longer days and warmer nights.
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| Planted in early April; began harvesting in mid-May |
On the flip side, plants like broccoli, most greens, peas,
onions, lettuces, cauliflower, and other cole crops, should be planted from
mid-March to about the first of May. These plants can handle a frost and do
much better with the cooler spring temperatures. They can be planted again in
late summer to be harvested in fall.
2. Planting in too Much Shade
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| Lettuce can handle some shade |
3. Not Rotating Plants
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| Jen's diagram allows her to plan annual crop rotation |
Farmers know it. Rotating the planting of different plant
families to a location each year reduces pest and disease problems, increases
soil fertility, and increases both soil and plant health. We hear customers who
have had problems with plants say “We plant the tomatoes in the same place
every year, but they just aren’t doing well.” And, our answer is to move the plants
around. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant are all in the same family. Cucumbers,
squash, and melons are in another. Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and cabbage are different families of plants, as are beans. Take the time to plot out a bed
that can be rotated each year and consider planting a cover crop over the
winter. This increases soil microbial activity, increases the fertility of the
soil, disrupts insect and disease activity, and builds up the overall health of
the garden.
4. Not Using the Right Soil in Pots
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| A determinate (bush) tomato happy in a pot |
Vegetable plants do great in pots! I personally use Earthboxes
and larger pots for most of my vegetable gardening. Do use potting soil, not
garden soil to allow for good drainage and airspaces. Do change the soil as it
compacts over the year. Sometimes we can get away with just changing ½ of the
soil, but, to decrease the chance for disease, change it all every year.
5. Not Leaving Room for Perennials and Assuming that They Need Less Care
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| Perennial strawberries will need their own space |
replanted, they do need to be harvested, have insects monitored, and weeded all season.
6. Failure to Manage Weeds
Weeds can reduce the harvest of vegetables by competing
for nutrients and water. They may also host problem insects. Control them by:
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| Straw keeps down weeds and hides the soaker hose |
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Adding organic mulch, including straw, dried grass clippings, or
shredded bark. Place the mulch on newspaper, cardboard, or directly on the soil
between rows.
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Hand pulling weeds.
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Using synthetic mulch, like landscape fabric or black plastic
can reduce weeds and heat the soil at the same time, shortening the time to harvest
for warm weather crops.
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Using a hoe or cultivator in between rows. Be careful to not
disrupt the roots of the vegetable plants.
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Keep the perimeter of the garden mowed.
7.
Not Keeping an Eye Out for Insects
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| Aphids and other insects are easily controlled if spotted early |
8.
Planting too Close Together
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| Tomato plants spaced 4 feet apart... |
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| fill in quickly |
It’s hard to imagine that the little tomato transplant will grow
to 4 feet wide and 6-8 feet high, but, it could. Give them space. Cucumbers are
another plant that may need to have 3-4 feet between them. Good air
circulation, water evaporating from the leaves, and plants getting the
nutrients they need can be solved, in part, by giving plants room to grow.
9.
Improper Watering
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| Many watering devices for the garden |
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| Notice the soaker hoses under the straw |
This is a tough one. In the ground, most vegetable plants can go
a relatively long time between watering. In pots, they may need to be checked
daily in mid-summer. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses provide water at the root
zone, leaving leaves dry, great for disease prevention. Water plants thoroughly
in the morning. Most vegetables need about an inch of water a week. Rain gauges
are nice to have on hand to measure.
10. Not Taking Advantage of Resources
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| Well-signed tomato selection at Valley View Farms |
We are so lucky to have some terrific resources for gardeners. Here at Valley View Farms, we have terrific signs and handouts that address many of the aforementioned issues, including choosing the best varieties for the garden. The AAS (All-America Selections) and NGB (National Gardening Bureau) offer tons of information as well. And, our own Maryland Home and Garden Information Center has incredible videos and guides to help us out.
The
challenges make us better gardeners in the end. Enjoy the garden and the fruits
of your labor this summer.
