Jessica Anderson: How Does Your Garden Grow?
I’ve seen them all tilled up in the side yard, perfectly organized in rows in raised beds, thrown into open space in the flower bed, or even in a collection of mismatched pots on the back deck!
A garden is as much a personal choice as picking out a toothbrush, but there are a few hard and steady recommendations to follow, especially in Eastern NC.
Grow What You Eat, or At Least What Your Neighbors Will
For most folks, space is limited, so there is no reason to plant Malabar spinach, unless you know you will eat, or force yourself to eat it! Yellow squash, tomatoes, beans, or okra are staples, but don’t be afraid to try growing something else you like such as eggplant, specialty hot peppers, or a purple tomato.
Pay attention to the Calendar
It is now May, and although big box stores will still sell you cabbage and lettuce starts, the time to plant them is long gone. Plant cabbage, collards, broccoli, lettuce, beets, chard, turnips, carrots, in March. April can withstand tomatoes, string beans, squash, and cucumbers. May is for the heat loving plants such as peppers, okra, and butter beans.
Water & Sunshine
Definitely a plant’s best friends! Make sure plants are getting a healthy dose of water preferably in the morning if overhead watering, giving the plants time to evaporate water off of leaves before nightfall, reducing the risk for fungal exposure.
Keep the Bugs Away!
Unfortunately bugs are a way of life, especially in our part of the world. Keeping vigilant is the best form of protection. Whether that’s hand removal, an insecticide of your choice, or interplanting to reduce the attraction of insects to our desired crop, you do you. Try interplanting marigolds amongst tomatoes, or nasturtiums and radishes amongst squash. For further intercropping measures, please contact your local Extension Office!
Whatever you decide to plant, have fun with it! Gardening is a great hobby, and provides healthy and nutritious food. Just remember that your neighbor doesn’t really need that third bag of zucchini!
Jessica Anderson is the County Extension Director and Horticulture Agent for North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s Greene County Center. Contact the office at 747-5831.
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