Use Ground Markers to Avoid Common Vegetable Garden Planning Mistakes
David Williams
We can all learn from our and other’s mistakes and gain valuable experience in the process, but it’s much easier to learn from someone else’s experience! There are three very common mistakes that most gardeners will make at some point when planning a vegetable garden. Read on to learn what they are and how to avoid them.
1. Overcrowding
Even experienced gardeners will tell you that every now and again they succumb to the temptation to try to grow more in the space they have. When first planted it will seem as if they are growing perfectly well, so you may not notice the issue straight away – it’s only when the plants are approaching full size that the problems start, as each plant’s root system begins to compete with its neighbors for water and nutrients from the soil and the plants fail to mature properly, resulting in a disappointing harvest.
Use colored ground markers to designate the areas certain plants need to grow. For example, a White ground marker would indicate plants in this area need 18” spacing to grow to full size. Place the marker center point about where you would expect to place seeds or mark the whole area. By using a colored ground marker, you are reminding yourself this part of the garden needs more or less space between plants.
2. Ignoring Nature
A little forward planning can ensure that Mother Nature is on your side. For example, it’s a good idea to mix in several different companion planting flowers to attract beneficial insects such as hoverflies so that, when the pests descend, these natural predators will keep them at bay. If pests strike early in your area, remember to include some early flowering companions, or leave a few onions, garlic bulbs or carrots in the ground over winter to flower early and provide an excellent first source of nectar to attract nature’s defenders.
Use colored ground markers such as Pink to designate exactly where you might place companion plants to help keep bugs away.
3. Planting Everything at the Same Time
Planting out all your tender crops at once can be disastrous if there’s a sudden late frost; similarly, transplanting pea seedlings only to have birds or slugs eat them is all too common. The best method is to sow seeds in small batches, every two or three weeks. As well as ensuring you have backup options if disaster strikes.
Blue marked beds could indicate beds you want to plant early spring that will grow to harvest early summer.
Green marked beds could indicate beds you want to plant late spring and to harvest early to mid-summer.
Orange marked beds could indicate beds you want to plant late spring that will grow to harvest all the way out to late fall.
Plan Ahead, Use the Best Products and Avoid Mistakes
There’s much more to successful gardening than just these three tips, but by avoiding these common mistakes you’ll save yourself some hard work and heartache and get your garden off to a great start! Enjoy!
Gardeners PRO TIP
The original Trail Chasers branded ground markers are highly durable 6-inch plastic whiskers when combined with either a lightweight non-rust stake or hard ground galvanized stake can be driven into the ground to mark a position. Trail Chasers brand ground markers are sold in packages of 10, 20 or 25 in eight different colors of whiskers.
