Vegetables grown in your own garden not only save money on regular vegetable purchases, they also taste special. Directly from the bed to the table, it is far superior to that from the supermarket in terms of mineral and vitamin content. A carefully planned system and a cultivation planner are the prerequisites for enjoyment of cultivation and a rich harvest.
How do I plan a vegetable patch correctly?
To plan a vegetable bed successfully, choose a sunny location, pay attention to the soil condition and lay out a bed plan with different vegetable crops, pay attention to crop rotation and plan a supportive mixed culture with good and bad neighbors.
The right location
Only a few types of vegetables thrive in a partially shaded or shady spot. When planting, you should therefore choose a bright, sunny location that receives five to six hours of sunlight every day.
The nature of the soil
Good soil is a guarantee for high crop yields. The substrate must be:
- easy and humorous
- nutrient-rich
- water permeable
- and not too heavy or clayey
be. You can improve heavy soils with a little sand incorporated. Mature compost also improves soil quality.
The bed plan
Once the right place has been found, the vegetable patch is created. To do this, you should draw a precise plan that contains all the details.
The individual beds should not be wider than 1.30 meters so that you can easily reach the plants planted in the middle from both sides.
Draw walkable paths between the beds that serve as divisions. These should have a stable surface, as wheelbarrows can be pushed more easily this way. A self-made bed border (€15.00 on Amazon) made of wood or stone is also useful so that grass does not grow uncontrollably into the vegetable bed.
How to plant?
A planner helps here too, because if you plant the vegetable plants carelessly, the harvest will often not be successful. There are a few things to consider here.
Various vegetable crops
The vegetables are divided into pre-, main- and post-crops. In this way, the available space can be used optimally.
Crop rotation
Vegetable plants have different nutrient requirements. To prevent the soil from becoming depleted, you should observe crop rotation and never plant heavy feeders in the same bed again the next year.
Heavy eaters
These include, for example:
- Kohlrabi
- Cauliflower
- Leek
- Sweet potatoes
- Tomatoes
Middle eaters
You plant these in the second year in the bed where the heavy feeders were grown the previous year. These include:
- Lettuce
- Carrots
- Spinach
- Beetroot
Weak eater
Vegetable plants with very low nutrient requirements follow in the third year. This allows the soil to recover naturally.
For example, these are:
- Peas
- Beans
- Radish
- Beets
- Herbs
Planning mixed culture
Without a doubt, it is easier to neatly grow a single type of vegetable in each bed. But plants grow significantly better if you give them the right neighbors. So that the mixed culture doesn't get out of hand, you should also consider this point in your planner.
For example, the smell of carrots keeps the dreaded onion fly away. Vegetables susceptible to mites benefit from garlic planted right next to them. These are just a few examples of good and bad neighbors. You can find many more in our articles on the corresponding vegetable plants.
Tip
Even if you only have a balcony, you don't have to go without home-grown vegetables. Placed in conventional planters and with a well-thought-out planting plan, you can easily supplement the family menu with vitamin-rich balcony vegetables.
