Homegrown Harvest

Many potential problems, such as diseases or pests, can be avoided by providing the best planting environment in your garden. If this is your first vegetable garden, be sure you prepare and improve the soil. You may not have good soil to begin with, and a soil test run by your county extension service can help you improve it.

A mixture of organic material (such as compost) and granite sand, tilled in with the existing clay soil, increases aeration and begins the process of turning clay into good, viable soil. Fertilizer and lime also should be incorporated at this time, according to soil-test recommendations. If you are replanting, be sure to add composted material to the area to replenish the nutrients in the soil.

You can grow from seed or nursery transplants. Both can be found at nurseries and garden centers, and out-of-the-ordinary varieties can easily be found on the Internet and through mail order. For the best results, buy varieties recommended for where you live and labeled disease resistant. If you are planting from seed, follow the instructions on the seed packets with regard to spacing. If you are buying transplants, read the label carefully to determine how far to space the plants in the soil.

Mulch is a must when gardening with vegetables, as it provides a barrier to prevent soil-borne disease problems, conserves water in the soil, keeps the plants roots cool when hot weather arrives and reduces the weed population.

Consistent watering also is crucial. When watering, remember that too much or too little water can ultimately kill a plant. Dont wait until the soil is completely dry before watering, and do not depend solely on rainfall to satisfy all of the plants watering needs, particularly in container gardens. To determine if its time to water, press a finger about one inch into the soil. If it feels dry, its time to water.

For a garden bed, consider installing a drip system, which is a time and water saver. Directing water only at the roots of the plants will help prevent fungus and mildew on the foliage, and daily inspection for insects will help you avoid problems. If problems do develop, take action quickly by diagnosing exactly whats wrong with your plant; call or e-mail the volunteer Master Gardener at your county extension service or visit your local nursery for help. In most cases, problems can be dealt with easily by changing watering and maintenance practices and wont require insecticides or fungicides.