Basic Needs For Growing Vegetables

Vegetables require certain necessities in order to be grown successfully. If you offer vegetables what they need, you’ll be able to enjoy a great harvest of top quality harvest. Let’s take a look at what you need to provide in order to grow vegetables successfully.

6 Necessities for Growing Vegetables:

1. Sunlight – Most growing vegetables need a minimum of 8 hours of direct sunlight. Morning sun is better than late afternoon sun if possible. If you’ve lived in San Antonio through even one of our blazing-hot summers, you can understand why the late afternoon sun is not preferable.
2. Right Temperature/Season – Plant the right vegetables for the right time of year. Most vegetables are very specific when it comes to the weather temperature they prefer to grow in. A tomato will not grow in cold weather nor will cauliflower grow in hot weather. Rainbow Gardens will help you figure out what to plant and when with our vegetable planting calendar.
3. Air Circulation – Vegetables need plenty of air circulation to properly grow. Soil should be light and airy enough to allow air circulation around its roots. (You can add things like peat moss, perlite, or decomposed leaves to the soil to achieve this effect.) Properly spacing your veggies so air can circulate freely around them is also extremely important as it helps to prevent disease from breeding in tight spaces.
4. Adequate Water – While rainwater or well water is best due to its neutrality, making sure your vegetables get watered deeply is most important. If rain is not available, it will be up to you to provide your vegetables the water they need. Situating your gardens close to a water source is more convenient than pulling a hose all the way across a landscape. Drip irrigation systems are great for vegetable gardens as it gets the water right to the roots where your veggies most need it.
5.  Nutrients – Nutrients routinely get used up by your growing vegetables frequently and will need to be replaced regularly. You can offer them nutrients through quality fertilization. However, most people over-fertilize and more is not better in this case. Read the instructions on labels of fertilizers and follow them, as they are there for an important reason. Opting for a soil test is one of the best ways to know exactly what nutrients your soil currently has and what it’s lacking.
6. Freedom To Grow Without Competition – Plenty of problems arise to compete with your growing vegetables, but most can be prevented, treated, or avoided. Weeds, insects, animals, disease, and weather elements all can take a toll on your growing vegetables. Staying aware of what’s going on in your vegetable gardens is key. Early detection and swift action is needed to keep these competing problems under control.