| Starting a garden for the first time can be an | | | | Successful backyard gardening is dependent upon |
| overwhelming experience. Here are some general | | | | vigilant watering techniques. Drooping, drying, |
| tips for making your backyard gardening | | | | yellowing, leaf drop, and mildew are all signs that |
| adventure a success: | | | | you may be over- or under-watering your plants. |
| Decide what to grow. | | | | Be sure to water deeply but less frequently to |
| Before choosing your backyard gardening location, | | | | avoid problems. Too much water prevents plants |
| decide what you want to grow. Understanding the | | | | from taking up valuable nutrients and oxygen |
| lighting and temperature needs of your individual | | | | through their root system. Morning water |
| plants can help you plant your crops in an | | | | provides valuable moisture than helps sustain your |
| optimum location. For example, if you are growing | | | | plants during the heat of the day, which evening |
| peppers and tomatoes, you will need a sunnier, | | | | water can promote mildew and bacterial growth. |
| warmer location than if you are growing lettuce | | | | Provide shade if necessary. |
| and greens. | | | | Shade plants from harsh sunlight and |
| Grow your crops in season. | | | | temperatures during the hottest part of the |
| Before starting your garden, determine the crops' | | | | season to avoid bolting, sunscald, and excessive |
| optimum season. Don't try to grow "cool crops" | | | | dehydration. Two simple ways to provide plant |
| such as lettuce, chard, radishes, and peas during | | | | shade are to set up a shade umbrella in your |
| the heat of summer. These crops need to be | | | | garden, or build a simple row cover with pvc pipe |
| grown at temperatures that are roughly 15 | | | | and greenhouse plastic. If using a removable row |
| degrees cooler than summer crops to prevent | | | | cover, be sure to drape a shade cloth over the |
| bolting. On the other hand, cooler soil | | | | plastic to avoid radiating more heat. |
| temperatures will interfere with germination and | | | | Don't over-fertilize. |
| crop maturation for warm season veggies. | | | | Over-fertilizing your vegetables can sabotage the |
| Provide adequate drainage. | | | | growth process and kill your plants. Some plants |
| All vegetables require good drainage. One of the | | | | will use nutrients at a higher rate than others, so |
| best ways to increase the drainage of your soil is | | | | be sure to consult a fertilization chart to |
| to add compost. Not only does this create a | | | | determine your plants' individual needs. Don't let a |
| looser soil that helps vegetables take up oxygen, | | | | lack of understanding about fertilizer and nutrients |
| but it provides important nutrients as well. Raised | | | | intimidate you or stop you from starting a garden. |
| garden beds are another a popular technique for | | | | Your local nursery is a great place to get more |
| improving soil drainage. | | | | information about nutrient needs for your plants. |
| Practice good watering techniques. | | | | |