THE BEST VEGETABLE GARDEN EVER

Every year I say that I am going to be incredibly proficient at planning and planting my vegetable garden. Working in greenhouses and on farms for years, I have learned a lot of tricks and should be completely content come the first frost. Instead, every year, I vow to “to better next year”.

Spring is always a success. I plant sweet peas, beans, nasturtiums and greens very early. I tell all of my fellow gardening friends that I have tucked seeds into the cold ground and they say ‘so early?’  My competitive side is always pleased to announce an early harvest.

Then something happens. While I am basking in the glow of my thriving spring garden….BAM….I am in a whirlwind of busy and so many of my plans get put to the wayside. I plant, I feed, but it’s not with the rhythm and succession that I had so carefully mapped out in January.

Granted, I have a lot on my plate early summer, I certainly have the soil and skills to end up proud of all my vegetables. I am tomato obsessed, so they are front and center, right along with my cut flowers. I mentioned that the spring crop gets plenty of attention. But what about spacing the overcrowded summer squash, thinning out the carrots and beets in a timely fashion, fertilizing the peppers with something high in phosophorus and potassium. (I always have lush pepper plants and not a lot of peppers…AND I KNOW BETTER!)

Take the time to care for your veggie garden. Make realistic goals in your planning and follow through with them. We are surrounded by sources of knowledge on growing vegetables. The staff at Weston Nurseries can tell and sell you everything that you need to know. This year, plant your ‘best vegetable garden ever’. I definitely am.