Growing potatoes

There are many ways of growing vegetables: in rows, beds, or containers; on their own, or mixed with flowers and shrubs. The ideal place to grow vegetables is often described as fertile, well-drained, and moisture-retentive soil in a flat, sunny, but sheltered position. Most gardeners do not have these “perfect” conditions, but still grow fine vegetables by making the best of what they have.

Select right area

When selecting a site for your vegetables, consider the following:
Sun and shade

Deep shade will severely limit the growth of vegetables, but some can tolerate light shade, including lettuce, chard, beets, and kohlrabi. In cool climates, position tall vegetables so that they will not cast a shadow on lower-growing ones, but in hotter climates use them to provide welcome shade.

Drainage
Vegetables will not thrive in a waterlogged site, which is better used for something else, such as a pond or bog garden. Improve heavy soil gradually by adding low-fertility organic material; consider growing on raised beds.

Shelter
Protect exposed sites with permanent or temporary windbreaks such as hedges, fences, or netting. Protect individual crops with barriers, cloches, or other covers, especially when young.

Slopes
Use terracing to prevent soil erosion. Position rows or beds across the contours of a site, rather than up and down. Be aware that the bottom of a slope can be a frost pocket.

Space
Select vegetables to suit the space available. Even quite small areas can be very productive, using vertical as well as horizontal growing space. Remember to allow space for making leaf mold and compost.

Children and pets
Depending on what else you use your yard for, you may conclude that growing vegetables is just not compatible with the other demands on it. In this case, consider a community garden.

Tips: Start small. A small plot is easy to manage and can still produce a good range of vegetables.
Being overambitious may result in more crops than you are able to care for successfully, which can lead to disappointment.

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Posted on May 6th, 2010 under Growing potatoes ways, How to grow potatoes. Tags: grow vegetables. RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback.