5 Tips for a Great Edible Garden

Growing a great edible garden is rewarding, cost-effective, and probably much easier than you think. The reward is a bountiful harvest of fruits and vegetables, usually of higher quality and better flavor than those you purchase in your local supermarket. 

If you’re new to growing edibles, here are 5 tips to get you started. 

1. Start with a small garden for the first year or two. Plant a few of your favorite easy-to-grow veggies such as carrots, squash, beans radishes, and cucumbers. Gardening is fun but it’s a lot of work, so don’t take on more than you can handle; you may end up feeling frustrated and discouraged.

2. Consider growing conditions. Select a sunny spot for your garden; most vegetables need at least six hours per day. Also, keep in mind that you can’t grow anything in poor soil. If the soil is poorly drained, or if it consists of sand or clay, dig in a generous amount of compost or well-rotted manure before planting. 

3. Be careful not to overwater. Most edibles will rot in soggy soil, so allow the soil to dry slightly before watering again. If possible, water in the morning. It’s always better to water at the base of the plant so the leaves stay as dry as possible. A thin layer of organic mulch such as shredded bark, chopped leaves or straw will help prevent evaporation so you won’t need to water as often.

4. Feed your edible garden regularly, using a vegetable and herb mix to support healthy growth. Work the mix into the top 2 to 4 cm of soil. A water-soluble or time-release product works well for vegetables in containers.

5. Don’t allow weeds to get big and out of control because they’ll rob moisture and nutrients from your edibles. It’s always easiest to pull or hoe weeds when they’re small. Mulch will help keep weeds in check.