Planting your own vegetable garden can be a very rewarding experience. Homegrown vegetables give a peace of mind because you know how they have been grown. They also give a great sense of satisfaction when produce comes to fruition and looks and tastes wonderful on your dining table. Uncle Mike’s Vegetables are produced on Long Island with the local climate in mind for garden success. Although each type of vegetable we grow has unique growing conditions, many also benefit from similar conditions.

General Tips for all vegetables:

Vegetable gardens should be placed in a sunny portion of your yard. Water should be readily available. Soil should be prepared by loosening the dirt. This will prevent root damage of transplants. Weed mat is an important part of your garden. If set down prior to planting, this will reduce weeds which can choke out the roots of your vegetable plants. It also helps with daily maintenance of your garden. Mulch is also vital in holding water at a consistent level and protecting puddles from forming which could rot the stem or promote spread of disease. It also helps to regulate the soil temperature.

When watering your garden, remember that rain will suffice when plants are young, but as they grow, rain may simply run off the leaves and prevent water from reaching the roots of the plant. It is best to use a soaker hose or water at the base of the plant. Always check soil conditions before watering because too much water, can be just as damaging to a plant as not enough water.

All vegetables benefit from being “fed”. When purchasing your vegetable transplants, ask the nursery associate to recommend the best food for your garden. Feed plants about once a week.

Each year crops should be rotated in your garden. Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplants, Squash and Strawberries are very sensitive to disease and should not be planted in the same space. Root crops, beans, onions, lettuce, and peas can be grown in these locations to help rejuvenate the soil. Also, adding loam, compost, or lime will help when preparing your garden for a new growing season.

Cool weather crops, or “cole” crops prefer cooler temperatures and although they like full sun, many of them can handle conditions where days are shorter and therefore they receive less sun exposure and cooler soil or air temperatures. Cool weather crops include: Beets, Broccoli, Broccoli Raab, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Celery Knob, Chinese Vegetables, Collard Greens, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, Radishes, Spinach, and Swiss Chard. These are the first crops to plant in your garden.

Warm weather crops require not only warmer air temperatures but warmer soil temperatures as well. Many of these crops are more sensitive to temperature variations and should not be planted until there is no threat of frost. Warm weather crops include: Beans, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Melons, Okra, Peppers, Squash and Tomatoes.