Easy stress-free care plan for the little veg patch
Growing your own vegetables in the little veg patch is simple and stress-free but here are some pointers to help you get a bumper crop of delicious veggies.
1. Protect from pests
Use copper banding or organic slug pellets to protect against slugs and snails or get out there at night and pick them off by hand if you're feeling brave! Use micro fleece on your brassicas or use netting against pigeons. Sow carrots sparsely so you don't need to thin them out which encourages carrot fly.
2. Water little and often
Water first thing in the morning and/or last thing at night and give a big soaking before going away for the weekend. The vermiculite in the soil mix should ensure your plants are kept moist if you don't water for a few days. Don't shock the plants with cold water from a hose. Fill watering cans from a water butt if you have one and leave to warm in the sun for a while before watering.
3. Act fast on diseases
Stop diseases killing your plants and spreading to others by keeping an eye out for discolouration or changes in foliage. Identify diseases quickly and take appropriate action as soon as you can. The BBC gardening website has a great disease identifyer which also tells you how to treat the problem both organically and chemically.
www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/advice/pests_and_diseases/
4. Weed, weed and weed some more
Weeds will grow. Fact. The secret to weed-free vegetable beds is to get into the mind-set to keep on top of them as they grow. Your veg patch will not only look nicer, but also produce more of an abundant harvest than a vegetable patch fighting for survival against strong tough weeds. Try to weed one different square a day, this should only take a minute or so.
5. Most of all, enjoy it!
It is so satisfying growing your own. Enjoy it. If you have any questions, there is an enormous amount of really good gardening website with a wealth of advice and help. You can always email us with any questions, too. Good luck!
Get Growing Guide
