Image by Dane Tashima
June is here! And I couldn’t be more excited for Summer. It’s time to get outside and enjoy the warm weather and the garden as it reaches full bloom. Even if you’ve gotten a late start this year, don’t worry - there’s still plenty of time to plant more produce, herbs, and beautiful blooms. This month, I’m sharing my tips for creating a successful and bountiful vegetable garden. So, come on and let’s get planting.
Hint: It’s not too late to start! Fast growing vegetables such as tomatoes, summer squash, green beans and cucumber will still have a bountiful harvest even when planted in June.
FIND THE SUN: Keep an eye out in your garden for areas that see the most sun, as some produce (cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers) require eight or more hours of direct sunlight - while others (such as leafy greens) can survive on four!
CHECK THE RAIN: As you did with the sun, be sure to check if your yard has places where water seems to linger after a heavy rain as you want to avoid planting in these areas.
START SMALL: You’d be surprised how much food can be produced from a few raised beds, and it’ll be so much more enjoyable if you start with only a couple of your favorite vegetables!
MEET MULCH: Adding a layer of mulch can help retain the moisture in your soil, which means less watering and weeding!
PS. Keep a gardening journal to learn what works, and what doesn’t for next year!