7 Easy Steps to Grow Produce at Home

Growing your own produce is an all-around smart practice. Consider these tips when starting your own garden:

1 Select the perfect spot Choose a flat area where you’ll often see your garden so you’re reminded to weed and care for it regularly.

2 Ground vs. containers Ground gardens offer more space and may provide better root growth. However, a container garden is often easier to maintain and is a great option for those growing just a few plants.

3 Get quality soil Great soil allows for ample drainage and provides stability so plants can root firmly and grow healthy and sturdy. Organic matter like compost, leaf mold or aged manure help improve soil quality.

4 Keep water close Situate your garden near a hose so you won’t have to lug heavy water around all the time. It’s time to water when the soil is dry about an inch below the surface.

5 Have plenty of sun Most vegetables, herbs and fruits depend on six or more hours of sunlight every day. Keep in mind that as trees and foliage grow, they may produce more shade with each growing season.

6 Grow what you enjoy Before exploring new varieties, keep your focus on foods you like so you can see a meaningful return and avoid waste. You can also start growing plants indoors before moving them outside when temperatures allow.

7 Plant year-round Don’t harvest everything at once. If you stagger planting and replant what you can, you’ll have a garden that produces food for your family for a longer period of time.

Find more helpful tips for managing your home and garden at eLivingtoday.com.