Vegetables

You don’t need a farm to grow fresh herbs and vegetables. Plant breeders know that aside from great taste, home growers want a high yield in a small amount of space. As long as you have the right amount of sunlight, proper irrigation, and nutritious soil you can have tasty vegetables and herbs this season.

Sunlight

Both vegetables and herbs require full sun or 6 or more hours of direct outdoor sunlight per day. Without sunlight, the fruits will not ripen and the plants will be stressed. A few varieties will tolerate less sun, but they are primarily the cool season crops like lettuce and broccoli. Without the proper lighting conditions, you may want to reconsider a vegetable garden.

Water

Along with proper sunlight, regular watering is critical to your vegetable gardening. You cannot always rely on rain or overhead sprinkler systems. A thorough watering is important especially early on in the growing season, before the plants have produced fruit. Close access to a water spigot or drip system will do the trick.

Soil

Regardless of whether or not you have a good soil content, it can be enriched with nutrients and soil blends. A tasty vegetable is a direct result of quality soil. At Mahoney’s, we carry all of the necessary soil amendments for vegetable and herb gardening.

How much space does it take?

Generally speaking, vegetable gardening does take up a significant amount of space. Many vegetables have been historically known to require a large growing space in order to achieve fresh and tasty yields. This is no longer the case. Many plant breeders have been focusing their efforts on developing smaller varieties that still pack a punch.

• Look for varieties with dwarf or patio in their name. These varieties have been bred especially for smaller spaces. They will remain smaller and more compact. Remember, just because a plant has been bred for a small space does not mean it will sacrifice its fruit size or taste.
• Seek out vining crops that can be trained to grow upwards and save spaces. For example, opt for pole beans verses bush beans. Pole beans along with vining cucumbers and squashes will actually take up less space than their bush cousins.
• Interplant your vegetables and herbs alongside your summer annuals and perennials. Many vegetables and herbs do hold a decorative quality that can be well integrated into your landscape as long as you are willing to maintain them throughout the season. The trick is to plant your sun-loving herbs and vegetables alongside plants which also thrive under the same conditions.

Containers

If you are really pressed for space, container gardening with vegetables and herbs is a great solution. Containers are perfect for roof decks, patios, and any other area which gets 6 or more hours of sunlight per day.

• Make combinations of herbs or vegetables that you use often or would like to try. Most herbs and vegetables require full sun, so combining different plants is not a problem.

• • Tip

  • Try an Italian cooking garden with Sweet Basil-Flat Leaf Parsley-Rosemary
  • Or create a garden of mixed greens for fresh salads with Romaine Lettuce-Arugula-Butter Crunch lettuce-Salad Bowl lettuce
• Don’t use invasive materials that will take over the entire container. Mint is a great example of an herb that will get too invasive and take away space from the other plants in your container garden. So, plant your mint in a separate container.
• Seek out dwarf or patio varieties, however don’t feel limited. A 24-30” in diameter container will work fine for your container gardening including large items such as tomatoes and cucumbers. Use a smaller container with herbs, lettuces and peppers. Remember, with a contained root system the plant will remain more compact.
• Be sure to use a suitable potting mix that will provide the right nutrients and drainage for your herbs and vegetables. Mahoney’s Premium Potting Mix works great. Also, be sure your container has proper drainage for your plants.
• Try an earthbox! This well constructed and self-contained container system automatically replaces nutrients and moisture as needed. Its additional staking system makes growing vegetables almost too easy!

Small Space Care

• Feed your plants in order for them to reach their maximum potential. Herbs and Vegetables are heavy feeders so bigger and tastier fruits will come with fertilizing. At Mahoney’s, we have organic and conventional solutions for your vegetables and herbs. Try Neptune’s Harvest Organic Fish and Seaweed Fertilizer. As always, follow the instructions listed on the desired fertilizer.
• Be sure to stake tomatoes and other tall vegetables often. By training your vines and tall vegetables, your plants will grow in a more manageable manner. We offer various staking and caging systems to ensure a well-supported in-ground and container garden.
• Don’t be afraid to prune! As the summer months approach, it is common for vegetable plants to produce a lot of foliage. Cut back the foliage leaves in order for the plant to put its energy into producing fruit. Also, allow the soil of tomatoes to get drier in the fruit-bearing months. Tomato plants like a little bit of stress while producing and this will limit excessive foliage that takes up space.