Gardening is a fun hobby that reaps delicious rewards! Whether you decide to plant fruits or vegetables this summer, it’s always fun to watch something you cherished and gave care to flourish then turn into something amazing! Gardening is a good way to connect with the outdoors and nature, as well, so you aren’t cooped up in the house all summer with nothing to do!
What do you need before you get started?
To get started on your journey of gardening for the summer, you’ll need at least the five following things: a planter box (or pot big enough to hold the plant of your choice), soil, water, a windowsill, outdoor spot, or area with sun and some shade, and, of course, the plant seeds or pre-started plant! There are always additional items you can get to help aid your plant and make sure it grows to its fullest potential, such as cages for tomato plants when they get too heavy to hold themselves up. You can get most of these items at your local hardware store, such as Ace Hardware and Home Depot. These stores usually have a gardening center where you can buy seeds or plants!
What plants should you choose?
Summer is a good time for lots of fruits and vegetables. Some favorites, such as strawberries, are an amazing place to start. Some other fruits that could be an amazing choice include: blackberries, blueberries and watermelon. Some of the best vegetables you could choose for summer time include: cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, beans and squash. Other plants that are amazing to plant during the summer, such as herbs, include basil, mint, parsley, cilantro and rosemary!
How do you grow these plants?
Now that you have your seeds or starter plant, let’s begin. If you begin with seeds, make sure you start them in a small pot or planter before transferring them to a bigger environment. In general, once you have started plants, either store bought or grown from seeds, transfer your plants to a large enough pot or planter depending on the plant.
If you have chosen plants from the list above, you can even plant some of these mixed together in a pot or planter as sister plants! Sister plants are plants that grow well together, providing something for one another. That could mean sharing certain minerals or helping get rid of/reduce weeds. Some sister plants include: tomatoes and peppers, basil and strawberries, cucumbers and beans, and parsley and cilantro. This system was originally an indigenous practice called “The Three Sisters”.
According to Chavando Jacobs-Young, someone with the U.S. department of agriculture says, “Developed through [I]ndigenous agricultural practices, these three plants protect and nourish each other in different ways as they grow and provide a solid diet for their cultivators.” Putting these plants next to each other, while not necessary, can serve as a big boost for your plants!
Water, sun and shade, what’s needed?
All these plants have different requirements to keep them growing healthy and happy. A general rule to remember though is that plants are living things. If it is scorching hot outside at over a hundred degrees, and your plant is outside, you should give them water. You wouldn’t want to be somewhere where it is sunny 24/7 and neither do your plants (same can be said for the shade).
Go enjoy summer with fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs for your home. Make delicious meals with your own fresh food and save money on groceries. Gardening is a great activity and enjoying it during the summer will probably mean it’ll be an experience you’ll want to repeat all year round.
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