Fresh Picked!

One of life’s simple pleasures is enjoying fresh, ripe berries at breakfast. Or, how about impressing dinner guests with a salad medley of tender homegrown greens and cherry tomatoes?

The appeal of fruits and vegetables, picked at their succulent best, is prompting more and more gardeners to try growing their own. Over the past four years harvesting home-grown veggies has risen steadily. This is due in part to the popularity of organic food, concern for the environment and a burgeoning appreciation for great-tasting fresh food.

In Hampton Roads, which straddles zones 7 and 8, growing your own food is not too challenging. Planting typically begins in mid- to late April, and the growing season can run up to 280 days. The long summer heat allows us to have melons, peppers, okra, and fruits like figs and persimmons.

We suggest these helpful tips for hungry gardeners who want to make the most of our area’s generous climate:

HAVE A BLUEPRINT
Think about what you and your family like to eat and what you’re planning to do with the produce. If you plant too many veggies, they may grow faster than you can eat them.

TEST THE SOIL
For best results, it’s important to run a pH test on your soil. Keeping the pH adjusted correctly makes your fertilizer more effective and improves plant performance. McDonald Garden Center customers can have this done at any of our locations.

CHOOSE A SUNNY SPOT
Vegetables need a minimum of six hours of sun each day. Long-term crops like fruit trees, shrubs, and vines should be planted to the north side so they get a share of the sun too, creating an ascending order as you look north.

ADD MULCH
Mulch keeps soil moisture at an even level. The first week of May, when the soil has warmed up, is the perfect time to apply 4 to 6 inches of mulch.

WATER WEEKLY
Vegetable gardens like about an inch of water a week, preferably in the morning, rather than a little water each day. Once a week, gives your garden a deep watering allowing water to seep down into the ground enabling the plants to develop a good, strong root system.