How to grow PERFECT vegetables (Save Money & Be Healthy)

Before you plant…

To decide which vegetable to plant you should start with a few basic questions.
What vegetables do you actually eat? A harvest that won’t get eaten is no good to anyone!
When are they ready for harvest? A crop that ripens all at once might mean you have too much come harvest time. Consider staggering your planting times.
How much work is it going to take? Some vegetables need more maintenance than others, so ensure your commitment matches your ambition!
What you need to start.
We’ll try to keep things simple here as there are lots of potential variations:

1. Vegetable Seeds. Buy single packs or multiples. Check their suitability for indoors/outdoors/green houses.

2. Compost & vegetable food. If we are what we eat. then our veggies are what we grow them in! Ensure you buy some good quality compost and supplement it with vegetable food. You can purchase good compost from most shops these days but try and stay away from the high-street chains as they can be expensive!! We’re trying to save money here right? Also

3. Some basic gardening tools. What you need will depend on whether you are growing indoors or out. Regardless, every gardener will need a hand trowel, potting trowel, hand fork and a cup of tea to begin with.

4. A greenhouse! If you are getting fancy and want to plant more exotic vegetables outside, consider a plastic greenhouse or polytunnel. You should be able to purchase a small portable polytunnel for about €25.

How to grow MIGHTY Tomatoes:

Where: Balconies, patios, greenhouses, tunnels
Difficulty: EASY
Planting Months: Late spring – summer (3 weeks after the last frost)
Harvest: Spring & Summer
Method: Planting tomatoes used to be complicated as they cannot tolerate frost, need direct sunlight and lots of moisture. With the upside-down tomato planter, you can now grow them hanging off your balcony, deck or just about anywhere! This system makes sure that your plants gets all the nutrients its needs, while eliminating weeds. Sow seeds evenly in April, in direct sunlight, watering often. Alternatively, the Patio planter set can assist in planting on level surfaces.

How to grow LOVELY Lettuce:

Where: Garden or greenhouse/polytunnel
Difficulty: MEDIUM
Planting Months: March – July
Harvest: Summer & Autumn
Method: Sow your lettuce seeds in well-spaced out rows with about 3 seeds every 6 inches. Cover seeds with about a 1/2inch of soil. Seedlings should appear in about 14 days’ time. Move them to ensure about 10 inches apart. Water well and ensure they remain covered. Sow seeds about 3 weeks apart to ensure they don’t all ripen at once!

How to grow GRAND spuds:

Where: Patio, Balconies or Decks
Difficulty: MEDIUM
Planting Months: March – June
Harvest: Summer & Autumn
Method: Traditionally growing potatoes was limited to those with big gardens. With Potato growing bags however, you can grow in small spaces such as patios and decks. Source your seed potato and get them to the sprouting stage if possible. Place about 6 inches of compost in the bottom of the bag and add some potato fertiliser. Add about 6 inches of compost and keep moist. When you see, the shoots coming through, add another layer. Repeat until the bag is nearly full of compost. When the first flowers appear, you are ready to harvest!

How to grow SUPER Carrots:

Where: Garden or greenhouse/polytunnel
Difficulty: MEDIUM
Planting Months: March – August
Harvest: Summer & Autumn
Method: Sow your Carrot seeds in well-spaced out rows with about 3 seeds every 6 inches. Cover seeds with about a 1/2inch of soil. Seedlings should appear in about 14 days’ time. Thin to 1 inch apart when the tops are 2 inches high, and be thorough, because crowded carrots will produce crooked roots. Thin again 2 weeks later to 3 to 4 inches apart. Water well and ensure they remain covered. Sow seeds about 3 weeks apart to ensure they don’t all ripen at once!

Remember if you’re thinking about upgrading your garden facilities talk to Westport Credit Union about a great rate Home Improvement Loan and we’ll get you cooking in no time!!!