The benefits of gardening extend far beyond the dinner plate. Research from McMaster University shows that gardening helps maintain physical fitness, boost self-esteem, foster creativity, and restore calm. A garden is also a good way to trim your grocery bill, while teaching kids about food and nature.
But how does your garden grow? What can you do to ensure that you get to enjoy the benefits of a perfect garden this season? With some thoughtful planning and expert tips, you can be assured that your garden will yield a bounty of fresh produce.
Here are a few simple strategies to plot out a garden and care for it until harvest time.
1. Survey your land
When it comes to determining the space that you must dedicate to a garden, keep in mind that you should be able to easily reach every corner.
Therefore, choose a spot with full sunlight, away from shade-giving trees/bushes. You must also ensure that a hose or other water source can comfortably reach your desired plot.
2. Plot the garden
Plan straight rows for an in-ground garden (opt for quadrants for raised beds). Using labelled garden stakes, mark rows about half a metre apart to allow you to move freely between rows. A centre row of stepping stones provides easier access for watering and weeding.
3. Dish the dirt
Check with your local garden centre to determine the right type of soil for your location. You must aim for about 15 cm of depth and consider topping it with a layer of compost for added nutrients.
4. Decide what to plant
Depending on where you live in Saskatchewan, mid-May is typically the optimal time to sow seeds. You can plant bushy tomato plants, tall corn, and trellised peas near the rear edge to limit shading.
You can also plant early-harvest veggies like onions and lettuce towards front of garden. An important thing to note is that you must avoid growing tomatoes and potatoes next to each other as they share common diseases. Other planting options include beans, rhubarb, carrots, and cucumbers.
Raspberries and Saskatoon berries are a good option because they flourish in Saskatchewan, while their flowers encourage pollination. You can set tall sunflowers in the back row to limit shade, and break up rows of veggies with shorter blooms, including pansies or marigolds.
5. Just add water
Water your garden a couple of times a day early in the season to help establish roots and germinate seeds. After that, a thorough water once daily should do it.
You must also try to water at ground level, directly at the roots, and water in the morning to prevent moisture buildup and overnight mildew growth.
6. Get CAA Home Insurance
Many homeowners, who have a passion for gardening, have equipment like rototillers, garden tools, and garden tractors to help them setup and maintain their perfect garden. However, there can be circumstances where they suffer from losses due to drastic events like fires, floods, or burglaries.
The benefit of getting a home insurance coverage is that it helps you protect your home, and all the items in it. Which means that in addition to insuring your usual house items like couches, tables, chairs, televisions, and beds, you can also fully protect your gardening equipment.
So, contact a CAA Insurance Consultant today to get your gardening equipment insured and begin your journey towards setting up the perfect home garden this season.