Master Gardener^sm Column for the Week of February 21, 2005
Shirley Waggoner-Eisenman
Brunswick County Extension Master Gardener^sm Volunteer

It is not too early to begin your vegetable garden. Have you ordered your seeds for planting or taken a soil sample? The Cooperative Extension Service can supply you with the necessary information on soil sampling (the state of North Carolina offers this service free).

If you are a first-time gardener or have had a garden for years, these are some of the basic steps to consider when you plan and plant your garden.

There are five basic factors to consider in selecting a vegetable garden site. They are: sunlight, nearness to house, soil, water, and good air drainage.

All vegetables need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day (8-10 hours is ideal).

If your vegetable garden is near the house, you will be more likely to pick the vegetable when they are at their prime -- it is easier to weed and water as you see it on a daily basis.

The soil should be fertile and easy to till with just the right texture. A loose well-drained loam is ideal for better plant growth.

Gardens need at least one inch of water per week, so locate near a spigot or other water source to supplement rainfall as needed. Do all watering in the morning hours.

Good air drainage must be considered for your garden. DO NOT locate in a low spot as water stands and can cause damage to plants and seeds will rot. A low spot is slow to warm in the spring and frost forms more readily in the winter. Locate on high ground.

These factors should help you in determining a site for your garden. Draw a diagram of your garden site; this should show what you want to plant, when to plant, and space needed for the plant when it is mature. If you keep your diagram from this year’s planting, you will be able to rotate your planting for next year.

The last frost here is usually mid-April -- the time for cool weather crops such as: radish, broccoli, onions, cabbage, lettuce, potatoes, peas, etc. You can shortly start seeds for warm weather planting. Have your plants ready as soon as weather permits as July and August are almost too hot for your garden and is the time to start plants for your fall garden.

When you purchase plants for your garden, be sure to check them for diseases; if they are not healthy, do not buy them—you will only be taking home a disease that you may not be able to get rid of easily. A healthy plant should be free of disease, compact and a nice green color. Check plants for resistance to diseases and for planting instructions.

There are various ways you can plant a garden: straight rows, raised beds, containers, etc. I prefer raised beds as they are easier to work and I do not lose the good soil with each rainfall. I can remember trying row gardening, and the first hard rain watching my good soil (that I had paid quite a bit of money for) wash right down the street. With a raised bed you do not run the risk of damaging the roots by stepping on as you do with row gardening. Raised beds can be built with a variety of materials or no material at all. You can just mound the soil to the width you desire. You can place your raised bed anywhere to accommodate the needs of the plant and your landscape. Mulch is necessary in this area.

Send your gardening questions or comments to: Brunswick County Master Gardener Column, P.O. Box 109, Bolivia, NC 28422, or call (910) 253-2610. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope if requesting information or a reply. Answers may be printed in this column.

For further information or assistance, please e-mail:
Charlie Spencer, Brunswick County Extension Master Gardener^smVolunteer

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Date Created 2/18/2005