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Turning your backyard, terrace, or lawn into a fully functioning kitchen garden can help you move towards a healthier, sustainable, and self-sufficient living standard. You can not only get fresh and pesticide or additive-free produce, but you will also have the time of your life sowing the seeds of your favourite fruit or vegetable, taking care of the plants, and finally harvesting them. But as the saying goes, “As you sow, so shall you reap,” right from planting the right seeds to taking the right care, and then finally reaping the results. So, if you want to get the benefits of a healthy harvest, here are some of the best ways to take care of a fruit or vegetable plant in your kitchen garden.
Selecting The Location
One of the most important tips that you need to keep in mind even before sowing the seeds is selecting the right location. Depending on the needs of the fruit or vegetable, you have to select a location which gets just the right amount of sunlight for the plant to thrive. You should also ensure that the location allows proper drainage which can prevent waterlogging, thereby reducing the risks of any diseases.
Preparing The Soil
Since you’re going to include fruits and vegetables in your diet, maintaining the quality of the produce is a non-negotiable. The fruits and vegetables both require a nutrient-rich soil, you must include minerals like Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium (NPK) before sowing the seeds. Additionally, keep a check on the pH of the soil, adjust it timely and keep adding organic matter to keep the soil rich.
Pruning
Apart from regular watering and fertilising, another step you should add to your plant-care routine is pruning. To help the plants grow better and yield healthy fruits and vegetables, prune the lower leaves for better air circulation. You can also pinch back herbs like basil and plants like tomatoes which results in bushier growth and keeping the plant healthy.
Protecting From Pests
One of the biggest challenges in maintaining a kitchen garden is managing pests. Insects, rodents, and birds can wreak havoc on your fruits and vegetables if not properly controlled. To manage it efficiently, you can use organic sprays like neem oil, garlic and chemical-free soap. Another healthy practice is to keep an eye on the pot or garden bed for any harmful waste to protect the plants.
Crop Rotation
To prevent diseases and pests in the soil and also to keep it nutrient-rich, rotating the crops annually is a healthy practice. You can plant different types of vegetables which require different nutrients to maintain the fertility of the soil. For example, you can rotate the legume family, i.e. peans and peas with root vegetables like carrots and potatoes for the best produce every season.
