Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
If you're new to gardening, one of the first Youtube channels you should check out is GrowVeg. Their videos are short, to the point, and incredibly helpful. No, I'm not affiliated with them in any way, I'm just really impressed with their content.
On their website, they sell a program called the Garden Planner which allows you to map out your entire garden. It tells you how much space each plant needs, when to plant them, how long their growing seasons are, which plants grow well together and which don't, and much more. Basically, if you're a beginner, this planner won't let you screw up.
In this video, they share 10 tips that are guaranteed to boost your vegetable harvest. Here they are:
1. Feed Your Soil
Give it plenty of organic matter like compost and manure. If you don’t have access to compost right away, try sheet mulching. To do that, layer cardboard, leaves, and grass clippings over the soil and let it break down. It’s a fast way to start improving soil structure.
2. Feed Your Plants
Give them fertilizer and occasionally water with comfrey tea. Foliar feeding (spraying diluted fertilizer directly on the leaves) can give plants an immediate nutrient boost, especially during critical growth stages like flowering or fruiting.
3. Grow In Beds
It's easier and more efficient to grow food this way. Use narrow beds (no wider than 4 feet) so you never have to step on the soil. This prevents compaction, which helps roots grow faster and deeper.
4. Choose Plants That Thrive
Pick plants that will do well in your region. Ask local gardeners or check your local extension office for lists of reliable crop varieties that have already been tested in your area. They often outperform generic store-bought seeds.
5. Grow More In The Shade
Make use of shady areas with plants that will grow there. Start shade-friendly crops earlier indoors or in seed trays to get a head start, since shaded areas usually mean slower growth. Asian greens and lettuces can thrive with as little as 4 hours of sunlight per day.
6. Collect Rainwater
It has fewer contaminants and is the preferred pH of most plants. Elevate your rain barrels so you can use gravity for water pressure. Also, add mosquito netting over the openings to prevent insect breeding.
7. Extend The Growing Season
Use plant protection such as cold frames and low tunnels. Don’t just use row covers in spring. Keep them handy for surprise summer hail storms or fall cold snaps. Even a simple plastic sheet draped over hoops can buy you a few more weeks of growing time.
8. Space Plants Correctly
Make sure they aren't too close or too far apart. Use square-foot gardening templates or spacing grids made of string to speed up planting and ensure proper spacing, especially helpful for beginners planting many types at once.
9. Pair Up Plants
Take advantage of companion planting, such as corn as a support for climbing beans. Add basil near tomatoes to boost growth and repel pests. Marigolds are another great companion. They help deter nematodes and attract beneficial insects.
10. Work To Prevent Pests
Place barriers over plants, remove bug hiding places, and plant flowers. Rotate your crops each year so pests and diseases don’t build up in the soil. Also, interplant herbs like dill and cilantro throughout the garden. They attract beneficial bugs like lacewings and parasitic wasps.
Watch the video below to learn more details about how to implement these harvest-boosting methods.
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