Hey everyone! I've recently taken on the leadership role for our medical school's community garden, which is intended to help out patients at our student-run free clinic. These folks often live in food deserts and may struggle with access to healthy food. Our garden setup features 7 raised beds (each 8 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 2 feet tall) plus 7 large buckets for herbs. We're starting fresh this year, reusing mostly last year's soil with some new additions.
Given my newness to gardening and a modest budget (most of which went to soil and mulch already), I'm looking for advice on growing vegetables. What types yield the most per plant? Also, are there common mistakes I should avoid as I begin germinating and planting? Thanks for your help!
3 Answers
One great thing to grow is pole beans; they’re super productive once the soil hits around 70°F! I've had fantastic luck with Monte Gusto beans. Also, learning from YouTube videos can be a game-changer; it’s not as simple as just sticking a seed in the ground! Don’t forget to invest in some good watering techniques—overwatering is a common newbie mistake! Using compost as a mulch will keep things manageable without needing tons of fertilizer. And remember to rotate your crops each year to keep the soil healthy!
Before you plant, think about what the patients really like to eat, as it’ll be pointless to grow something they may not enjoy. Besides that, check out resources from MSU Extension; they offer great guidance on growing veggies. A crucial tip: consider vertical gardening using cattle panels for beans and cucumbers—they save space and yield a lot! Also, don't forget to fence against pests! One screw-up I made was not doing that, and my first garden got raided by a groundhog! And make sure you understand the difference between cool and warm-season crops; it could save you a lot of heartache!
You should definitely check out MIGardener's YouTube channel—he recently posted a video about recession-proof gardening that’s super relevant for your area! Since you're in Southeast Michigan, his tips could be particularly helpful. He's right in St. Clair, which should give you some local wisdom.
Thanks for the tip! I’ll check out the channel!
Awesome, I’ll definitely look up those beans and the watering tips!