Basic steps to get your home vegetable garden started
Every household dreams of going organic. Dreaming is one thing, to act is another. Reduced amount of pesticides, higher nutritional value, reduced spending, healthy lifestyle are few amongst the many advantages of having vegetables grown in our own backyard. People often need quick assistance for the first time when they decide to have their own vegetable garden in their homes. The help they need can be as simple as suggesting the right kind of vegetables they can grow according to their house conditions. This is where a professional hand like us, Sri Rama Nursery comes to play. We are one of the best nursery in Telangana, We also exclusive sellers of beautiful bonsai plants in Hyderabad. We have helped many of our clients set up their very own vegetable gardens, collection of indoor plants, designing outdoor patios with seasonal plants and landscaping projects. We can help you too! But first, we shall discuss the basics that would help many of you all to start your vegetable garden in your homes.
Decide upon the location:
Most edible plants need the right amount of sunlight and moisture to grow. While most vegetables grow at a considerable rate with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, they thrive in locations that receive 6+ hours of light. If your desired space is not very well lit and gets around 4 hours or less, salad greens like spinach and other leafy greens can be an option. In the cities, with apartments on the rise, space might be an important point to consider as well. container gardening is the easiest way for apartment dwellers. These containers can be set up in the balconies or rooftops. It is important to note that south and west facing balconies get the most sun, followed by east facing and north facing gets a minimal amount of sun. North facing spaces might be ideal for salads and leafy greens. South or west facing spaces are ideal for plants such as tomatoes and eggplants.
What to plant?
Deciding to plant appropriate plants according to your home environmental conditions and the season is the next step. It is always recommended to start with easy to grow plants and work your way up as you gain knowledge. Few vegetables can be harvested in 1-1.5 months, and others take 2-3 months. Few plants which take lesser time to harvest are Spinach, Methi, Coriander, Mint, Lettuce, Radish. Vegetables that take longer time are Tomatoes, Brinjal, Capsicum, Chilli, Cauliflower and Cabbage. When it comes to seasons, June and July months are ideal for almost all kinds of vegetables. Jan-Feb months are ideal for Spinach, Carrots, Onion, Tomato, Brinjal and Beans. In March- April, you may grow Chilli and Okra. Aug-Nov you may consider growing Cabbage, Spinach, Cauliflower, beans, etc. December is ideal for Melons, Cucumbers, Pumpkins, Bitter Gourd, Bottle Guard, etc.
Soil and water:
The ideal PH of soil is important for any plant to grow. This can be achieved with proper soil mix and fertilising. The PH level of the soil can be determined with a simple pH kit. If you need to decrease the pH level then add sulfur and if you need to increase the pH then add lime to the soil. The pH also depends on the type of vegetables you want to grow. Now coming to types of soil and water retention, clay soil holds water well but absorbs it slowly, so we need to water less frequently. Sandy soil is the exact opposite of clay soil. Watering must be done the right way. Most plants do not survive due to overwatering. This is where you need to consider the type of soil as well. Clay soil is hard to determine if it is waterlogged at the bottom of the plant pot. The upper layer might seem dry and we water it leading to root rot. This can be avoided by using compost rich soil mixed with one part cocopeat or coir or vermicompost which will aerate the soil, hold the required amount of water and drain the rest. It is important to plant in well-drained pots. If apartment dwellers are using simple container planters, then watering must be done daily. Water needs also vary depending on the plant stage of growth. While all these points are basic starter tips to kickstart your vegetable garden, you may anytime contact us for more in-depth help with your vegetable gardening and we’d be glad to help. We are one of the few plant nurseries in Hyderabad who can take care of all your planting needs right from consultation to aftercare services.
Fertilize:
Vegetable gardens need three essential nutrients: Potassium, Phosphorus and Nitrogen. If you notice that your vegetable plant leaves are wilting or yellowing, it generally means nitrogen deficiency. Phosphorous is necessary for good root development, especially in root-vegetables and also improves flowering. Potassium affects the plant shape, size, colour and fruit formation. For beginners, we would recommend slow-release fertilisers, which may not be applied frequently. Fertilisation must be done in balance, otherwise, it affects the overall growth of the plant. Different vegetables will need fertilising in different stages of their lifecycle. For example, eggplants need fertilising after three weeks of the plantation, Potatoes need it when they blossom and bean might not need any fertilisation. For beginners, it might feel daunting but professional help is always a call away. Sri Rama Nursery has a team of plantation experts and will surely help you with vegetable garden management.
We hope this article has helped kickstart your very own home vegetable garden. Sri Rama Nursery is all about plants and green ecosystem. We started off years ago as an ambitious team of plant experts and have expanded to become one of the best nurseries in Andhra Pradesh. We are truly passionate about helping anyone who feels they need a dash of green in their spaces. Whatever your home conditions might be, we are ready to inspect and suggest the right kind of plants that suit your needs. Like we always say, help is just a call away. Feel free to contact us and we’d be glad to help.