3 Main Components of Gardening
Most people know that to grow food you need 3 things; sun, water, and soil. But the amount and quality of each can make or break a successful garden.
So, let's just jump into it without all the fluff in the middle.
Sun
Sun exposure is necessary for all edible plants. Even for those that can grow in partial shade. Speaking of exposure, here are the different types of sun exposure:
Full Sun
At least 6 hours of constant sun over the garden area. Plants that thrive on full sun are tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, melons, peppers, peas, strawberries, corn… Think veggies that fruit and are large; they require more food, sun, and nutrients than smaller plants.
If you do not have a spot that sunny but want to grow fruiting vegetables, you can still grow them in *containers/pots and place them in a sunny area.
Partially shaded
At least 3 hours of sun. light may be reflected off of a surface such as a white fence. May not be consistent light due to the sun moving and shining through trees throughout the day. Plants that tolerate partial shade are arugula, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chard, Chinese cabbage, corn salad, endive, escarole, garlic, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, leaf lettuce…
Fully shaded
None to 2 hours of sun a day. This area is not good to grow any vegetables.
Keep in mind these are only minimum times of sun exposure. If you plants are able to maintain more than the minimum, you will have greater yield.
The sun is one of the most important aspects in the garden. And since we have no control over it, we must plan accordingly to have a successful garden.
Water
The next component of the garden is the water.
Without water a plant can not thrive live! But how much is too much and how much is too little? Let's break it down…
Different plants have different watering needs. But if you garden like me, in raised garden beds, then you know it is a little difficult to distribute. Though that be the case, it is not impossible for all your plants to receive the amount of water they need.
Before we jump into how much water, let's talk about watering tools.
You can water you garden a number of ways, some are more convenient than others, and may or may not fit your lifestyle.
Irrigation
This is the most convenient and proper way to water your garden. Convenient because you don't have to think about it if it is on a timer. It simply waters the garden at the time you set it for. Some irrigation systems do not have a timer. You must go out and turn it on and off. If you do this option, I suggest setting a timer on your phone, microwave, or stove to ensure you don't forget it on.
I say it’s the proper way because you are watering at the soil level. This is important because getting water on the leaves of plants can be a breeding ground for fungus (like powdery mildew )and bacteria (like septoria). You can read more about that here.
Irrigation is also the more expensive option. And if you have chosen to hire someone to irrigate your garden, that is another cost. But like anything else, there are levels of prices for irrigation:
Hire a professional to install brand new irrigation system = $$$$
Hire a professional to tie into an existing irrigation system = $$$
Buy a DIY irrigation kit and install it yourself = $$
Your decision is really based on your needs, lifestyle, and budget.
Rain Barrels
Rain barrels are a great way to water your garden if you don't want the cost associated with formal irrigation. They are essentially but buckets that collect water. The most common way is to attach it, in a way, to the gutter downspouts and the water pours in there. At the bottom of the barrel is a spout that you hook up a hose to that allows you to water your garden. This can also be put on a time just like an irrigation system. You can even tie your DIY irrigation kit to a rain barrel.
There are also DIY versions of rain barrels that you can find all over the internet. Again, there are price levels for this as well.
Ollas
These beautiful pots are made out of clay. Ollas (pronounced oya) have been used for centuries to water gardens. They can be used both in raised garden beds and in-ground gardens. They are basically terra cotta pots with a lid to block foreign debris from entering the pot.
If you have ever seen a terra cotta pot when a plant is being watered, you have seen the pot darken as the water starts to seep through the sides and bottom of the pot. This is what makes them great to water a garden with. As the soil dries, it releases the right amount of water for the roots. I have installed ollas for my clients that could not dedicate enough time to watering their gardens with success. There are also DIY ollas that are simple to make.
Watering Issues
There are a few watering issues I need to make you aware of and how to identify them.
Underwatering
At times you may forget to water your garden…and that is okay (depending on how long it has been. LOL). Here are the top signs of underwatering:
Wilted leaves: the leaves start to being over.
Dry soil: stick you finger into the soil up to the second knuckle. If it is completely dry, it needs water.
Stunted growth: if you feel the plant should be larger than what it is, it could be a sign of needing water.
Dry leaves: sometimes the tips of the leaves will start to dry and fall off.
Curling leaves: some leaves become stressed because it hasn't received enough water.
How to fix Underwatering
To fix an underwatered garden…water it! LOL
However, most plants only need an inch of water per week. While that is hard to determine, I have a system that I use and that has not failed me. Using my sprayer attachment with the long neck, I water (at the soil level) until I see a puddle start to form on the soil. When I see that, I'm done.
Overwatering
A lot of beginner gardeners (and some seasoned gardeners) overwater the plants. This can create many issues, one main issue being root rot (the roots rotting because it is sitting is wet soil for too long). Here are the signs of overwatering:
Yellowing leaves: leaves will begin to loose it's color closer to the soil (the leaves that are getting affected by the water first).
Wilting: just like being underwatered, leaves will wilt
Green stuff on soil: this is mold or algae. It grows in very moist environments
How to Fix Overwatering
Before you fix an overwatering issue, determine how much damage has been done. If you can, check to see if the roots are rotted. The first sign of root rot is the plant dying (turning brown and leaves falling off). If that is the case and you have space next to your plant, gently remove some soil beside it so you can access the roots. If the roots are mushy, they are rotted. You can remove them and plant something else. If they are not rotted, let the soil dry out for a day or two. Check the soil by sticking your finger in the soil up to the second knuckle. If it is still wet on your finger tip, do not water. If it isn't water it in the way I described above.
Note that some of these symptoms can be due to disease. Try to water them properly first. If that doesn't resolve the problem, move on to diagnose a possible disease.
Soil
The absolutely more important component of the garden has been saved for last…the soil!
The quality of the food produced is directly a result of the quality of the soil used (seed quality matters too, but we'll discuss that later).
Soil is made up of three different materials; sand, silt, and loam. The right balance of these three will produce amazingly healthy fruits and veggies (even grass). In healthy soil you will see less disease, less pests, and a larger production.
To determine how good your soil is, you can have it tested at your local extension. In Fayetteville, NC, where I am, our local nursery carries the test package that can be sent of to the extension. But you can also request it from them as well. There are also at-home testing kits. They will not be as accurate, but it is faster.
How Do I Get Good Soil?
To get good soil, you can mix it yourself or contact your local nursery if you are starting a larger garden that requires more than one cubic yard of soil. I have used a mixture of 1/3 top soil, 1/3 sand, and 1/3 compost. I have also called my local nursery and asked them what their mixture was. It wasn't quite the formula above, but it was close and I was okay with that.
If you don't need that much soil, I suggest Kellogg Garden Soil. I don't have to mix that, but I do add worm castings for the extra boost of nutrients.
But recently, I have tried Soil3. I have a fried that uses it and raves about it. This is my first season using it, so I will provide a review later. But if you want to try it AND you live in North Carolina. South Carolina, or Georgia, check out their website.
Summary
There are three major components of the garden; sun, water, and soil. Each part (even if it cannot be controlled), must be used wisely and with the best quality to have a healthy and thriving garden.
If you need help finding the right spot for your garden, or are still not sure about gardening in general, we are here to help. You can start by booking a consultation!
See you in the next post! Happy growing!
