What is the first thing you put in a garden?
I prefer organic compost – I put my plants straight into that and they grow fast, large, and healthy. Many garden centers now sell bags of raised bed soil and that’s a good option too. Use a rake to even the soil out, but don’t smoosh it down – plants like non-compacted soil for their roots to easily spread through. Whether your soil is light and sandy or heavy clay, digging in bulky organic matter – which means well-rotted manure, compost, leafmould, composted bark, mushroom compost or anything in fact that you can get in bulk – will help.
What is the key to a good garden?
Nutrients: Like all living things, plants require a mix of nutrients to grow strong and healthy. The most important macronutrients are oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon—which plants absorb from air and water—and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK), which are taken from the soil. A nitrogen-rich liquid fertilizer solution is the fastest way to add nitrogen to the soil but it risks leaching so fast is not always best. Using a slow-release fertilizer is more beneficial for plants in the long run.Nitrogen helps produce green leaves and stems, phosphorus helps produce root development, and potassium helps the plant withstand stress from heat or cold. A good all-purpose fertilizer would be a 10-10-10 NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium).N-P-K fertilizers with ratios of 1:2:2 or 1:2:1 are particularly well-suited for transplants and can be applied when plants are set in the ground. Foliar fertilizers may also be helpful in some cases, although most nutrient acquisition is through plant roots.
Which crop is best for beginners?
Beans & Peas Because these plants release nitrogen from their roots, they can even be grown in poor-quality soil. As beans and peas are tolerant of a wide range of temperatures and have a relatively short time to harvest, they’re one of the most approachable crops to start with. Brassicas – they are heavy feeders that might steal nutrients from tomatoes. Potatoes– in the same family as tomatoes so susceptible to the same pests and heavy feeding. Corn– attract the same pests. Fennel – not a good companion plant for vegetables.For example, tomatoes and cucumbers can compete for nutrients and space, leading to reduced yields. Carrots and parsnips, when planted together, can attract similar pests, which can hinder their development. Peppers and beans should not be planted side by side because beans can inhibit the growth of peppers.