IN A Productive Garden, Geary Reid provides an in-depth look at methods for planting, maintaining, and harvesting a garden. This quick, easy-to-read guidebook examines how plants grow and how you, as a gardener, can help them. Reid touches on issues that might affect your plants, including the environment, soil quality and type, weather, soil erosion, and pests. Drawing on his background in agricultural science, Reid provides helpful tips on proper irrigation practices, weeding, harvesting, and marketing your produce, as well as how to protect the environment while gardening. A Productive Garden is an essential guide to cultivating a healthy garden that you will reap the benefits of for years to come.

 

1. Gardening will involve hard work

Gardening may involve hard work, but it also has many benefits. For some, farming is seen to include both small- and large-scale cultivation. In this literature, however, the word “gardening” is used only to describe small-scale farming. The terms gardening and agriculture are often used interchangeably.

 

2. Consider the soil

The soil plays a crucial role in plant growth. Some plants can survive without soil, but generally, plants need some form of medium for support. Soil helps the plant in many ways. Some people choose to purchase soil at varying costs because they want a specific type that can benefit their plants. If the soil is nutritious, it can help make the garden productive.

People may purchase good seeds, but if the soil lacks nutrients or is not supplemented with something that boosts its health, then the plant may not thrive. Having healthy soil is a good starting point for anyone who wants to have a garden.

Not all plants can manage rocky soil. In areas with mountains, you may see some vegetation, but in softer soils, there may be more plants growing. Many planters prefer to work with softer soils for cultivating various plants.

While there may be soft soil, some gardeners may choose not to cultivate it if the level of investment is high and the returns are not guaranteed or significant.

A farmer can choose seeds for ornamental plants (for beautification) or for plants that produce outputs used by many people for consumption, health, or production. Therefore, if a person wants their surroundings to look beautiful, they should choose flower plants. However, some will be interested in the commercial aspect of gardening and will select seeds that produce plants with outputs that can be sold.

In some yards, many plants are used for beautification. These plants often create a relaxing atmosphere for the owner or visitors. While artificial plants can make a place look good, live flower plants often evoke a different feeling for many people.

 

3. Planting and transplanting

A farmer may not be able to sow seeds directly into their permanent locations at the beginning. Some seeds may be too small to be planted directly in permanent soil and must first be placed in boxes or other containers for germination. Once those seeds or other plants are mature enough, they can be transplanted into the designated areas.

Some examples of seeds that are placed in a nursery for germination and then transplanted include pepper, tomato, and mustard.

 

4. Irrigation

Once the plant is in its permanent position or temporary location, water will be crucial for its future.

Some plants require a lot of water throughout their life, while others may only need water occasionally. Water helps plants in many ways. As mentioned, the roots help move water to different parts of the plant.

Plants in the desert are accustomed to small portions of water—it may rain only rarely. Most desert plants know how to store the water available to them.

Both water and other minerals needed by plants travel through their cells. These cells are distributed throughout the plant, and each plant can move water and minerals independently, without human assistance. Therefore, once there is sufficient water surrounding the plant, it can absorb various minerals and water on its own.

 

5. Sunshine

The sun does not always have to be very hot for plants to survive. Too much sun and insufficient rain can be detrimental to certain plants.

Farmers may build a shade for the plants, but they will construct it so the plants still receive some sunlight. With a roof over the plants, the sun will still penetrate the shade, allowing them to continue growing.

At different times of the year, the sun’s rising and setting times will vary. Farmers may be aware of these times and plan their activities accordingly.

 

6. Manure

The food that the plant needs to consume will be provided mainly through manure.

Manure and fertiliser are sometimes used interchangeably, as they both add nutrients to plants.

When farmers rely on organic manure, they reduce their expenditure, or in other words, save money. Most farmers aim to keep costs as low as possible while maintaining great output.

Some customers are only interested in purchasing agricultural products that are free from additives. They often say they would like to live longer and prefer not to have chemicals in their diet. The prices paid for organically grown products can sometimes be higher than those of plants grown with inorganic manure.

 

7. Insects

While farmers plan their work to have a productive garden, others see the garden as their habitat. It is often challenging to have two owners in one house! Some inhabitants may make a valuable contribution, while others simply occupy without contributing.

Insects can be good or harmful. Most gardeners will be happiest to have good insects. However, such wishes are not always granted—some creatures will contribute positively to the environment, while others will not.

 

8. Weeds

As with pests and pesticides, it is important to assess weeds and their control methods.

Once weeds are on the farm, the farmer must arrange for some to be eradicated. If farmers fail to address weeds, they can harm the farm, and all the investment made by the farmer will be wasted.

 

For more information:
Author: Geary Reid
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