Many of us fancy growing our own vegetables - especially with the rising cost of supermarket bought food - but just how hard is it? Every April people turn to social media to search for “how to plant a vegetable garden” as would-be gardeners start preparing their gardens for the new season.
As the hashtag “#DIYVegetableGarden” sees 84.1 million views on TikTok, experts at Yell have trawled through the social media site's most popular gardening advice to compile a list of their top tips on how best to prepare for and grow a vegetable garden and the most common mistakes.
Start Small: The 1-Metre Rule
If you are planning to start a vegetable garden in your garden, then the potential size is likely dictated by the space you have. Whilst some may have grand plans when it comes to their vegetable patches, it is a great idea to start small when you are new to vegetable gardening.
A great principle to stick to is the 1-metre rule, pioneered by the online creator In My Patch . This is based on how you can grow multiple vegetables and herbs all in the space of 1 metre. She recommends not always following the planting labels, as many vegetables can actually be grown close together and therefore allow you to optimise your small space as best as possible.
As simple as this sounds, if done incorrectly, it can harm your vegetable patch and diminish what you can grow and how well things grow. You will not only stunt your vegetable's growth, but you can also increase the risk of diseases such as mildew and boytris, which will kill off any, if not most of your vegetables.
To avoid any mishaps when it comes to spacing your vegetables, it is recommended to speak with a gardening expert directly for advice before planting your veggies.
Flat Board Spacing
Do your carrot rows look like a drunken sailor planted them? A popular hack going viral on TikTok is the carrot board. With search demand for “plant spacing tips” spiking by 103% over the last 7 days, the success of your vegetable plot relies heavily on the way you space out your crops. Using a flat wooden board with straight rows for spacing is a great way to make sure your vegetables grow correctly.
This viral TikTok hack involves simply taking a flat board and glueing on bottle caps, topside down, about two to three inches apart in a single row for a board that is 12″ wide. This is especially useful when it comes to growing carrots, where their rows should be planted 12″ apart. You may be able to make the rows closer for some varieties.
But what could possibly go wrong? Common mistakes made include but are not limited to:
- Poor germination where they dry out too quickly due to lack of water
- Stunted growth by being grown too close together
- dry and brittle roots after being planted in the wrong soil.
These are all easily done by both beginner gardeners and experienced ones, so it is important to speak to a professional before attempting a viral TikTok hack.
Use Household Items for Soil Testing
Your soil is the one element that will make or break the success of your vegetable plot. One of the most popular TikTok hacks when it comes to vegetable gardening is to test your soil type. Soil prep is essential and the testing checklist includes checking the type, pH, and nutrient makeup before planting.
You can purchase a soil testing kit, but what if you want to DIY it? Check soil pH inexpensively by mixing some of your soil with vinegar and, if it bubbles, the soil is alkaline. Mix with baking soda and, if it bubbles, the soil is acidic. No reaction means the soil is neutral.
Some of the effects of growing plants in poor-quality soil include:
- Stunted growth: Plants may not grow as tall or produce as many leaves or fruits as they would in nutrient-rich soil.
Yellowing leaves: Plants may develop yellowing or brown leaves due to nutrient deficiencies or toxicity.
Root rot: Poor soil drainage can cause the roots to become waterlogged, leading to root rot and plant death.
Increased susceptibility to pests and diseases
If you are unsure of whether your soil is suitable for your chosen veggies or not, speak to a professional and avoid any mishaps and endangerment to your veggie patch.
Grow Vertically
When choosing what to grow in your garden, starting with climbing or vining plants, like beans, cucumbers, and tomatoes, is an easy way to ensure success. To begin growing climbing vegetables, you can create some simple trellises by using pruned branches from your garden or bamboo canes, tied together with twine. You can then place some old buckets or other reclaimed containers at the base and use these to grow your plants.
In really small spaces, especially if you are using the 1-metre rule, you can even use old plastic drink bottles to make planting towers, with holes in the sides to grow strawberries, lettuce, herbs and other edibles. If grown incorrectly though, you are at risk of killing off your veggies altogether or spreading unwanted diseases and bacteria throughout your garden.
Start Simple: Easy-to-Grow Veggies
The most exciting part of your vegetable garden is choosing what crops you want to grow. For beginners, starting with the easiest vegetables to grow will heighten your chances of success the first time around. Choose low-maintenance vegetables that don’t need a lot of work to grow and seeds that can be easily and quickly planted. TikTok’s favourite easy-to-grow vegetables include:
Courgettes – known for being productive and fast-growing
Shallots & Garlic – one-time planting in the ground & are very space-efficient
Potatoes – perfect for growing in containers and grow bags if you are limited on space
Spring onions – space efficient & easy to care for
