Some of the most common fruits and vegetables that are grown in home gardens include lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, peas, bell peppers, zucchini, and radishes. Here are some tips for planting your next garden!
Lettuce: Lettuce can be ready to eat within 4 weeks. Start by planting the seeds in ¼ - ½ inch deep soil. Space them roughly 8-12 inches apart. Planting lettuce 2-3 weeks before the final frost is ideal. Lettuce needs about 1-inch of water each week, so make sure to water the seeds 2-5 times per week.
Tomatoes: Tomatoes require a stake or small cage to grow properly. If the crop is already slightly grown, transfer from the original to a hole that is roughly 10-12 inches deep. If you are starting with a seed, plant the seed in a soil that is ⅛ -¼ inch deep. Tomatoes need lots of sun and 1 inch of water each week. Planting tomato seeds in early May is ideal as the soil begins to warm up. Tomatoes thrive in a balance between wet and dry environments, so too much moisture is not always beneficial to the plants.
Carrots: Carrots can benefit from spots of looser soil, as it allows the roots to form easily. Carrots can grow in a hole that is ½ inches deep. Carrots should be watered daily and are best suited to be planted between April and July.
Cucumbers: Cucumbers should be planted roughly 6 inches apart in 1-inch deep soil. They need a trellis or fence to grow properly and should get about 1 inch of water per week. Warm temperatures aid in the growth of cucumbers, so planting them in May is ideal.
Peas: Peas also need a trellis or some kind of cage to grow. The seeds can be planted in 1-inch deep soil and require about 1 inch of water per week. Peas can often grow in a cooler environment, so planting them in early spring between late March and April is ideal.
Bell Peppers: Bell Peppers are sensitive to cold temperatures, so starting the growth process indoors may be beneficial. This process may begin as early as 6 weeks before the final spring frost if started indoors. Bell Peppers can take up to 90 days to harvest, so they can be transferred outdoors when the soil begins to warm (around a consistent temperature of 60 degrees fahrenheit outside) where they will need direct sunlight. Bell Peppers can initially be planted in soil that is up to 1 inch deep, then can be planted in soil that is 10-18 inches deep once transferred outdoors. They may require extra nutrients for proper growth, so adding a layer of compost may be helpful. Bell Peppers require about 1 inch of water each week.
Zucchini: Zucchini need soil that is 1-inch deep and should be planted roughly 3-4 inches apart. Zucchini need a rich compost to thrive and lots of sun. These plants need at least 1 inch of water per week. Zucchini may need a stake or trellis for extra support, but it is not necessary. These plants grow best in warmer climates, so planting zucchini in late May is ideal.
Radishes: Radishes can be ready to eat in as little as 30 days, so it is important to harvest them on the sooner side to avoid them becoming woody. Radishes can be planted in soil that is between ½ and 1-inch deep. Radishes need about 1 inch of water per week and can be watered everyday. The best time to plant radishes is between April and May as the soil warms up, but the temperatures are still cool.
Bonus!
Swiss Chard: Swiss Chard can be planted in soil that is roughly ½ inch deep and needs 1 inch of water per week. The best time to grow Swiss Chard is around 2 weeks before the last frost date or when the soil temperature reaches 50 degrees fahrenheit. Swiss Chard can typically begin its growth in late March or early April.
Eggplant: Eggplant seeds need to be planted in soil that is ¼ inch deep. Eggplant has a long growing season and needs warmer soil to grow (60 degrees fahrenheit), so planting the crop indoors first may be beneficial. Eggplant requires 1 inch of water per week, but does not need to be watered everyday. If started indoors, eggplant can be planted up to 10 weeks before the last frost date. If planted outdoors initially, starting in May is more ideal.
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