An increasing emphasis on healthy eating and physical activity has many opting to grow what they eat. Growing our own food not only allows us to reap the rewards of fresh, delicious fruits and vegetables, but the physical activity of gardening helps keep us healthy with the constant gardening tasks of planting and maintenance. Here are a few gardening hints that will increase your ability to produce healthy food crops.

• Vegetable gardening areas need full sun. Try to locate your garden spot in an area that receives as much sun as possible. Shady areas produce spindly plants that are not prolific, with poor quality fruit.
• Have an ample water supply. Vegetables need a constant source of water to produce a premium crop. Weak private wells or areas with extremely high water utility bills may not be cost effective. Drip irrigation and mulch help conserve valuable water supplies.
• Have soil tested to determine the soil’s fertility levels. Urban soils are often compacted and infertile. Soil test kits are available at your county Cooperative Extension Center. Consider improving with proper nutrients and amendments. Garden areas with water drainage problems or extremely poor soils may require raised beds with amended soils.
• Start with vegetable or fruit crops that are easy for beginners. Tomatoes, peppers, summer squash, turnip greens, radishes and green beans produce prolific crops and are fairly easy to grow. Crops such as sweet corn and melons take more space and may not produce as easily, especially in a small garden.
• Involve the entire family, including the children, in choosing what vegetables to plant. Make it educational as well as fun.
• Allow enough time for the garden. Vegetable gardening is a constant chore, sometimes only a few minutes a day or maybe much longer, but it is a labor-intensive responsibility. Gardening requires constant observation for insect, disease and weed control. Those with hectic schedules should reconsider or try to set aside ample time periodically for gardening chores.
• Have good reference materials and information. Information on vegetable gardening can be found in the Cooperative Extension publication, “Home Vegetable Gardening.” This publication may be found at your county Extension Center or at www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/pdf/ag-06.pdf. Extension’s Successful Gardener publication “Be Healthy – Grow What You Eat” is also available at your local Cooperative Extension Center or at www.successfulgardener.org.