Growing a Veggie Garden

This year spring has hit us a bit differently. With lots of time couped up inside, creating and growing something fresh outdoors is very appealing. If you are new to the gardening game or are just looking for a few extra tips and tricks to grow your veggies, Dragonfly Landscape Supply is here to get you started:

A time to plan:

Before you get plant happy, take some time to sit back and THINK! What vegetables do you like to eat? Do some research on what grows well in your climate. Get out a pen and paper and plan out what will go where. Some vegetables just aren’t going to grow around here…and that’s ok! There are many plants that thrive – so lean in on those. It’s best to choose produce that can be harvested at different times, then you will have fresh veggies all summer long. You will also want to choose plants with similar growing and soil conditions. It makes gardening a much easier experience. 

Find your space:

Vegetables require a good amount of sunlight so choose the sunniest part of your yard to start planting. Shaded areas should be avoided, and you should pick a spot with good drainage and rich soil. If a puddle forms after heavy rain, chances are that area is not a good place for your veggies to grow. If you can’t find an area where the rainwater seeps into the soil relatively quickly during a downpour, a raised garden bed might be your best bet. Wherever you plant, just make sure to choose or create a flat area clear of roots, rocks, and other obstructions.

Surprise…we need supplies:

Next, you need to decide if you want to start your garden from seeds or sprouted seedlings. If you are a gardening newbie, the further along in the process you purchase your plants, the easier the process will be. That being said, growing from seeds is an exciting process. If you aren’t sure which is right for you, take advantage of the expertise of your local greenhouse team. If you are in the area, we highly recommend Walter’s Greenhouses & Garden Centre or Elberta Farm Market in Paris, as well as Walgraeve Greenhouse on Park Road in Brantford.

Growing your vegetable garden takes more supplies than just the plants. You will need a range of gardening tools, fertilizer, mulch, and other goodies to make a real go of it. When you are starting from scratch it can feel overwhelming. Stop by Dragonfly Landscape Supply and we can help you find what you need and offer a little friendly advice to simplify the process.

Soil prep:

Loosen the dirt in your garden area with a hoe, shovel, spade, or gardening rake depending on your plot size. This will allow you to add fertilizers and dig holes more easily. Next, mark the corners of your garden border area with rocks and clear the area within of any roots, sticks, rocks, weeds, or other debris. Break up the soil into small pieces, working at a depth of around 12 inches. Work your fertilizer into the soil once the ground is easy to rake. We recommend using Gro-Max Soil Amendment, as it is a compost mix that adds in nutrients. For a raised garden, go with an organic garden soil, which can be planted into directly! If you aren’t sure of your soil quality, a testing kit is a great way to find out what nutrients may be lacking (hint, hint…we sell them!)

Get growing:

The time has finally come. Dig some holes and plant your seeds or seedlings. Don’t forget to add a little fertilizer to each hole as you go and cover with topsoil and a layer of mulch if needed. Give your garden a good watering. For the first few weeks, it is especially important to keep your topsoil moist. Don’t forget to give your veggies a little TLC as you watch them grow. Weed as needed, keep the critters at bay, prune, and water. You will be ready to harvest in no time.

Having a hand in growing your own fresh produce is a great way to get the whole family excited about eating healthy, delicious veggies. If you are new to the green thumb club or are looking to up your gardening game, our team is always at the ready to talk about all your landscaping needs.

All that’s left to do is start researching salad recipes. Yum!