Gardeners urged to avoid most 'common' mistakes that can ruin a vegetable garden
If you're lucky enough to own some outdoor space then you might want to make note.
Warmer temperatures are set to hit the UK this week - finally. If you’re lucky enough to own some outdoor space then you might want to make note.
The hashtag “#DIYVegetableGarden” sees 84.1 million views on TikTok alone. Now, experts at Yell have done all the hard work for us as searched through Tiktok’s most popular gardening hacks on how to prepare and grow a vegetable garden.
Start small
If you are planning to start a vegetable patch in your garden, then the potential size is likely dictated by the space you have.
While some may have grand plans when it comes to growing vegetables, it is a great idea to start small when you are new to it.
A great guide to follow is to stick to the one-metre rule. This is based on how you can grow multiple vegetables and herbs all in the space of one metre.
She recommends not always following the planting labels, as many vegetables can actually be grown close together and therefore allow you to optimise your small space as best as possible.
As simple as it sounds, if done incorrectly, it can harm your vegetable patch and diminish what you can grow and how well they flourish.
You will not only stunt your vegetable's growth, but you can also increase the risk of diseases such as mildew and botrytis, which will kill off any, if not most of your vegetables.
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Flat board spacing
A popular hack going viral on TikTok is the carrot board. Search demand for ‘plant spacing tips’ spiked by 103 percent over the last month, the success of your vegetable plot relies heavily on the way you space out your crops.
Using a flat wooden board with straight rows for spacing is a great way to make sure your vegetables grow correctly.
The viral TikTok hack involves taking a flat board and glueing on bottle caps, topside down, about two to three inches apart in a single row for a board that is twelve inches wide.
This is especially useful when it comes to growing carrots, where their rows should be planted twelve inches apart. You may be able to make the rows closer for some varieties.
Use household items for soil testing
Your soil is the one element that will make or break the success of your vegetable plot. One of the most popular TikTok hacks when it comes to vegetable gardening is to test your soil type. With over 391,100 views under the hashtag #SoilTesting, soil prep is essential.
The testing checklist includes checking the type, pH, and nutrient makeup before planting.
You can purchase a soil testing kit, but what if you want to DIY it? Check soil pH inexpensively by mixing some of your soil with vinegar and, if it bubbles, the soil is alkaline.
Mix with baking soda and, if it bubbles, the soil is acidic. No reaction means the soil is neutral.
Grow vertically
When choosing what to grow in your garden, starting with climbing or vining plants, like beans, cucumbers, and tomatoes, is an easy way to ensure success.
To begin growing climbing vegetables, you can create some simple trellises by using pruned branches from your garden or bamboo canes, tied together with twine.
You can then place some old buckets or other reclaimed containers at the base and use these to grow your plants.
In really small spaces, especially if you are using the one-metre rule, you can even use old plastic drink bottles to make planting towers, with holes in the sides to grow strawberries, lettuce, herbs and other edibles.
Easy-to-grow veggies
The most exciting part of your vegetable garden is choosing what crops you want to grow.
For beginners, starting with the easiest vegetables to grow will heighten your chances of success the first time around.
Choose low-maintenance vegetables that don’t need a lot of work to grow and seeds that can be easily and quickly planted. TikTok’s favourite easy-to-grow vegetables include:
- Courgettes – known for being productive and fast-growing
- Shallots and Garlic – one-time planting in the ground and are very space-efficient
- Potatoes – perfect for growing in containers and grow bags if you are limited on space
- Spring onions – space efficient and easy to care for
