Veg Growing For Beginners – Grangewood’s Top Tips

Fancy having a go at growing your own crops? It’s no secret that growing your own can lead to tastier, fresher food. The real question is where do you start? There’s nothing more disappointing than waiting months and months for a harvest and then getting a disappointing crop, but this guide is here to stop that happening! Below are our top tips for growing veg for those new to the game:

Find a good plot for your veg

Now, you don’t necessarily need a huge place to grow your veg, but typically you’ll need one in a sunny spot, unless you’re growing salad. Think about what you want to grow as well. If you’ve got your heart set on growing cabbages, for example, giving yourself a tiny corner in your garden is no use. Think about how much space you’ve got to use, how much space you’re willing to use and if a good amount of crop will fit in there. The next step is to prep your plot ready for your plants or seeds. Doing this will give your veg a good foundation to grow and a higher chance of success. Begin with clearing and weeding your area to give yourself a completely clear base. Then top with a good compost or manure and rake it in.

Choose easy veg

We know there are so many amazing veg out there to choose from that it can be tempting to choose the most exotic ones out there. If you’ve never grown veg before, however, it’s best to learn the basics of veg growing before moving onto veg with more complex needs. Good ones to start with are tomatoes, potatoes, courgettes, beetroot and peas. They’re also family favourites too so you know you’re growing something you’ll enjoy eating. By choosing veg like these, you are much less likely to waste your efforts too!

Deter pests, but don’t over do it with the slug pellets!

One of the most common reasons for failure when it comes to growing veg is pests! We hate them, your plants hate them – they’re just no good! We know you want to protect your crops and get rid of them, but using lots of pesticide isn’t great for plants, especially ones you’re eating. It’s not great for the environment or wildlife either. Try using physical barriers instead to keep your veg pest-free, such as copper wire to stop slugs and salt to stop ants.

Don’t overcrowd your space

It’s very tempting to try and grow as many plants as physically possible within your space, after all you should make the most of it, right?

While this may seem the case, overcrowding your plants will cause them to die. There will be insufficient space for them to grow and they will have to battle for nutrients and water. It’s very easy especially when you’re growing from seed or seedlings. They are small and it seems as though you’re spacing your plants an adequate distance apart when you’re not. You’ll notice when they start to grow, however, that this hasn’t been the case and that you’ll have to start plucking certain ones out. To avoid doing this, make sure you thoroughly read the seed packets and labels when planting. Give yourself extra space if you’re unsure! It’s better to have less good vegetables than it is to have none at all!

Growing vegetables isn’t as daunting as it may seem! Try what works for you, and what doesn’t work out is simply a learning curve for next year. With our tips above, you’re already on your road to success!

About The Author of this Post

Katie Waterson

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Katie wrote articles for the Garden Centre website as well as running the social media whilst working for us as an E-Commerce apprentice.

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