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Intro:
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| If you don't have the time to stand around watering, you can purchase items to do it for you. A lawn sprinkler is fine, but should be moved to different areas to ensure even watering. A soaker hose, which delivers a small, steady amount of water through perforations, also works well. You can find both at a hardware store or garden center. To keep down weeds, spread an inch or two of mulch around your plants a few weeks after they start coming in. This will also hold in more soil moisture. Types of mulch include wood chips, grass clippings, newspapers, pine needles, sawdust, and straw. |
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Once the seeds are in, tending begins. For a small to mid-size garden, a few hours of work per week until harvesting begins should keep your garden healthy (but keep a close eye on things so you can nip unexpected problems in the bud, so to speak). Here are the basics: Water. Your garden needs at least an inch of water every week. Use a wide spray with your hose. When and how long to water depends on rainfall, garden size, and water pressure. In the early stages, check the soil. If it's dry 1 to 2 inches below the surface, get out the hose. For seeds and seedlings, light, daily sprays are ideal. As plants mature, longer, less frequent waterings promote deep root development. To get a rough idea of spraying time, check the water level in the soil--it should reach about 6 inches down. Weed. Weeds compete with your plants for nutrients, water, and sunlight. Weed at least once a week, roots and all. Use your spade to dig them out (unless they're growing at the base of a plant, in which case you should use your hands), and toss them into the trash. Thin. If multiple plants are growing in one planting space, some must be plucked. This reduces competition between the seedlings, and properly spaced vegetables will generally produce higher yields. Start thinning when the seedlings have one or two pairs of leaves. Pests. If you notice strange spots and nibbles, this means either an insect or an animal likes your crop as much as you do. Take a sample leaf to your local nursery or garden center. Usually they'll be able to suggest a deterrent. Fertilize. Some plants can benefit from additional fertilizers after they've come up, particularly if they look sickly (yellow color, wilting leaves). Check the seed packages to find out what they like.
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Tend the garden
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