Gardening in your backyard is a great way to save money. Beyond decorative plants, you can plant vegetables and other crops. For example, a single tomato plant can provide 10 pounds of fruit in just a single season. That’s a lot of tomatoes.
Fruits, herbs, and vegetables in your backyard, either through a backyard greenhouse kit or just out in the open, have the potential of giving you plenty of crops to harvest.
If you want to get the most of your backyard garden, here are some tips to help you out:
Prepare the Soil
One of the things you need to be aware of is that the soil is the foundation of all gardening efforts. You want to have rich and nutritious soil for your crops to set their roots in. The better the soil, the deeper the roots of your plants will be. Deeper roots mean your crops will be able to absorb more nutrients and water.
This means you shouldn’t depend on natural soil alone. Building raised beds for your crops is often a good idea. This concentrates the soil and often allows for easier planting and watering when you are doing your daily rounds.
Provide Sunlight and Water
There are two necessary components for maximum growth: sunlight and water. Sunlight is essential for photosynthesis. If you have a greenhouse, ensure that the windows are not obscured or shaded. Planting should position your crops to absorb six to eight hours of sunlight. This maximizes photosynthesis and ensures that your crops grow strong and resistant to pests and disease.
Additionally, many crops are very dependent on plenty of water. Position your garden so it is close to a water source so that you can easily do some watering. You should also get into the habit of watering your plants several times a day, especially during dry days.
Be Careful About the Climate
This is where having a greenhouse shines. Plants are sensitive to the weather. Excessive winds, cold, and more can damage plants. With a greenhouse, they are automatically protected from the elements. For those with open-air gardens, you can use row covers and other protective devices over your plant beds.
Proper Positioning
Many gardeners think that planting crops only requires you to sow the seed. However, if you want to plan your garden properly, you will need to position them correctly. This ensures that crops don’t end up fighting each other for nutrients or are too crowded. A simple row of crops is easy to do. Just give each plant enough space to grow, with 18 inches between each row.
Time Things Right
Rotating crops is often a good idea. It allows your garden to keep growing so that it is always productive. You can plant one crop for one season, and then follow it up with another one. Choose the right crops and renew the soil regularly, and you can harvest three to four crops a year in one space.
Backyard gardening requires a lot of time and effort. But all the efforts you put into it results in a bountiful harvest. Ensure that your crops are healthy by following all of the tips above.