Trying to eat a healthier diet can put a strain on your wallet in today’s struggling economy. All around the country, consumers are complaining about the rising costs of fruits and vegetables; however, having the space for a garden at home may provide a solution for this problem. Purchasing seed and growing them at home will cost the consumer a fraction of what they are paying retail. How complex is it to start a fruit and vegetable garden at home? It is not complicated at all. Planting a garden in the right season and performing proper care can produce economical fruits and vegetables for consumption.
Knowing when, where, and how to purchase the seeds for the garden is a great way to start off. Consider what types of fruits and vegetables have great flavor when growing in home gardens; then purchase those seeds in the beginning of the year. Purchasing seeds from local nurseries is one way to buy them; however,there is a larger variety and availability when they are bought online. Fruits and vegetables can be purchased as seedlings or seeds. Seeds should be kept in dry cool places until you are ready to plant them. Seedlings are vegetables that have been partially grown for those who choose not to start from seed or people with inadequate experience with gardening. Purchase seedlings only when you are ready to plant them immediately.
The climate and season that the crop is planted in effects how the harvest may turnout. Make shore the seeds are sown in the fall and spring for cool crops. Warm crop seeds should be planted in summer months. Some fruits and vegetables only grow in warm or cool climates and cannot grow everywhere. Most seeds come with directions which explain when they are to be planted according to climate and region. Directions also may include: how much space should be between each seed planted; and the amount of depth the seed should be below the surface for proper growth.
Prepare the new garden soil for planting before introducing the crop seeds. Make sure the entire surface area has been correctly tilled before planting. Remove rocks,grass, and any foreign objects when tilling the dirt. Add humus or manure to help fertilize and enrich the soil with nutrients. Soil test kits are available for purchase to test the soil for mineral content. When the soil is ready, follow the directions supplied with the item being planted for proper spacing. Always make sure the soil stays moist after planting seeds. Rules for watering fruits and vegetables may vary depending on whether they are warm or cool weather crops, the type of crop, and the region you live in.
Can fruits and vegetables be grown at home helping the consumer to eat healthier while saving money? Yes, it certainly can be done. Learning the process of seed purchasing, how the climates of different regions affect seed growth, and how preparing your garden soil for proper seed development is more than half the battle. The consumer giving home gardening a chance is the rest.
Sources:
http://www.igrowugrow.biz/
http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/how-to-start-a-garden.htm/
