Are you planning to make a vegetable bed for the first time?
So here are the 7 beginner mistakes to avoid to succeed!
When you start gardening, the vegetable patch is the easiest way to grow your vegetables.
Indeed, it allows better harvests, less weeding and less effort than other cultivation systems.
But as with all new projects, we often make mistakes!
And believe my experience, small mistakes are hard to fix!
Here are the 7 mistakes to avoid to make your vegetable patch a success from the first try . Watch:
The width of a vegetable plot is generally 1.20 m. But in some cases it has to be even narrower than that.
Indeed, the important thing is to be able to do your gardening, without having to walk on the ground .
Thus, if you place your vegetable bed next to a fence, I advise you not to exceed a width of 75 cm.
To discover: 23 Market Gardening Tips For A Successful First Vegetable Garden.
Are you planning to water your vegetable garden by hand with a watering can? Be aware that this can quickly become tiring!
So, make sure to install your vegetable beds near a tap .
And this, regardless of the watering method you have chosen:with a watering can, a garden hose or a drip system.
Indeed, having water easily accessible will help you save a lot of time and unnecessary effort.
To easily water your garden, you can use a cheap microporous hose, like this one.
And here is a drip irrigation kit like the one I use in my garden which is definitely the most effective method.
To discover: Save Water This Summer With Solar Drip Irrigation.
The materials used to make your vegetable garden in squares must be chosen with care, especially for the wood.
As a general rule, do not use pressure-treated lumber manufactured before 2003.
It is advisable to use hardwood that has not been chemically treated to avoid any risk of contamination of the cultivated soil.
Also avoid using old railway sleepers (which have been treated with creosote, a harmful product).
Likewise, do your research before using old tires in your garden, because they are still plastic...
To discover: How to Make a Raised Vegetable Garden:The EASY and CHEAP Method.
Most soil mixes can be used in vegetable beds, but some are still not recommended.
Potting soil, for example, is not recommended for filling a raised bed because it drains water too quickly.
Another mistake beginner gardeners make is filling their gardens with composted manure, which is too rich in nitrogen.
If so, your plants will grow normally, but they will produce very little fruit and vegetables.
In my experience, I have always had good results using a simple mixture of garden soil and an organic material such as compost.
The proportions vary according to the quality of the soil you have in your garden and your budget.
As a general rule, the ideal ratio is 1/4 compost to 3/4 soil, as shown here.
To discover: How to Fertilize Your Vegetable Garden's Soil WITHOUT Composting.
Remember that to garden comfortably, you need enough space to work between your vegetable plots.
It is therefore best to provide a space of at least 60 to 90 cm.
I made this mistake myself when I installed my first vegetable bed.
Look at me in the photo above with my brand new vegetable bed.
I have a big smile... but I was soon to learn how complicated it is to garden between the containers during the period of plant growth!
Indeed, I had left only 30 cm of spacing between the bins...
Believe my experience, it's really too little space when weeding, planting or harvesting.
To discover: The 5 Secrets Of Effortless Gardening.
If there's one thing I hate, it's weeding the paths between the beds in my vegetable patch.
Instead, consider running your lawn mower over driveways where weeds are growing.
There is another super effective method to prevent weeds from growing.
Just cover your walkways with pieces of cardboard and a thin layer of mulch – it works SUPER well!
In my garden, I prefer to use organic mulch.
To line the walkways between my bins, I use pine needles, as they break down more slowly than other materials.
To discover: Powerful and Easy to Make:Homemade White Vinegar Weed Killer.
One of the advantages of vegetable beds is that they are generally much less invaded by weeds.
But that doesn't mean there aren't none risk of weed invasion...
The solution ? Mulch the soil inside the vegetable plots, which will considerably reduce weeding time.
But that's not all, because mulching your raised bed has other advantages...
Mulching also helps regulate soil temperature and keep the soil moist.
2 essential criteria for your vegetable garden to survive the heat of summer.
And There you go ! You now know the 7 beginner's mistakes to avoid for a successful vegetable garden :-)
I hope that by avoiding these mistakes, you will enjoy good and abundant harvests!
To learn more about square vegetable gardens, I recommend The practical guide to the square vegetable garden by Anne-Marie Nageleisen who is full of great tips and tricks.
Click here to discover the book.
Have you tried these gardening tips for a successful vegetable patch? Let us know in the comments if it worked. We can't wait to read you!
