News Flash

Nothing tastes quite so good as vegetables are grown in your own garden. Studies show that veggies grown fresh contain more vitamins and minerals compared to their counterparts in the grocery aisles. Raised garden beds and containers are two great ways to grow a backyard garden.

Raised Garden Beds

• Build your bed three to four feet wide by a minimum of 12 inches deep so plants can easily be reached from all sides
• Pick a location in the yard that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day
• Use equal amounts of garden soil, organic matter, and porous material (vermiculite or perlite)
• Do not forget to include a barrier between the garden box and the ground so that critters do not burrow up and eat your harvest
• Encourage vertical growth to create more space by using a trellis or stakes

Container Gardens

• A great alternative for smaller yards
• Almost any vegetable that will grow in a garden will also do well as a container-plant
• Roots need space to grow, so the larger the pot the better
• Add drainage holes and an inch of coarse gravel in the bottom of the container to allow drainage
• Use a soilless potting mix that is quick-draining and lightweight
• Choose smaller or dwarf variety vegetables that will be compact

In both raised beds and containers make sure to feed your plants often with organic soil amendments for good plant growth. Try not to grow the same crops in the same beds or containers for more than a couple of years. Keeping the same crops in the same location for too long can cause a pest build and affect the success of your crop.

Maybe homegrown tastes better because of the energy invested in the digging, planting, weeding, and watering. Whatever the reason, you cannot get any fresher or healthier than vegetables are grown in the backyard.