by C.M. Tucker

Created on: February 06, 2007   Last Updated: December 05, 2011

Some vegetables are much easier to grow than others.   Yet, difficulty will vary among all forms of vegetable plants due to conditions and varieties.   For a newbie vegetable grower, it’s best to start small and build from there to larger efforts and plants.

Things that will make growing vegetables easier will include methods that reduce weeds and insect trouble, a longer or extended growing season (indoor seeding, cold frames, greenhouses, etc.), and sunlight and temperature controls (locations and methods).  After that, it’s all about the plant choice.

I suspect that if people knew more about home gardens, they'd never say that growing veggies was easy!  But, neither is Bonsai work.  Yet, both are very satisfying to most people who make an earnest endeavor.

While it's true that some plants need more nitrogen in the soil than others and some plants won't grow indoors because they need to be pollinated, these are minor issues when good potting soil can be purchased and/or some outdoor space is available.  This is true of potted and/or indoor plants. 

Vegetables, unlike many herbs, usually need to grow outdoors.  The benefit of growing root vegetables in large pots is that they typically grow larger.  This is great for country fairs or other contests, but aren't always true for taste.  Generally (not just potted ones), some vegetables can become woody in texture when they grow too large.  It depends on care, soil composition and vermaculture (worms that keep the soil healthy).

Plants that need to be pollinated are done so by the same insects that leave behind eggs that become larvae.  Their larvae, unfortunately, also turn into those darned green worms (like on tomato plants and broccoli).   Also, some plants need blood meal. Some need acidic or alkaline soils. Space, root depth, temperature and sunlight requirements vary too.  That's why Miracle grow sells a variety of potting soil and grow foods.  Ordinary potting soil can often be used successfully if grow food is also used in potted and/or indoor plants.

Some good news is that many plants replace nutrients that they take with other ones.  Some green bean or pea plants leave behind nitrogen, for example.  This is one reason why crop rotation is necessary.  Plants that make only green produce, like leafy plants, tend to need nitrogen more than plants that primarily produce flowers.

Additionally,

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>