Recipes for growing vegetables. Vegetables - growing vegetables, caring for vegetables, storing them. Optimal timing for sowing seeds

Recipes for growing vegetables.  Vegetables - growing vegetables, caring for vegetables, storing them.  Optimal timing for sowing seeds
Recipes for growing vegetables. Vegetables - growing vegetables, caring for vegetables, storing them. Optimal timing for sowing seeds

Among gardeners there is such a thing as an agrotechnical plan - a set of measures aimed at achieving maximum yield from cultivated plants. Agricultural technology in this case includes taking into account all the necessary features - climate, soil, biological and botanical characteristics of crops, their compatibility, the specifics of each individual plant.

Most plants planted in dachas have similar agricultural techniques: tillage, fertilization, preparation of planting material, sowing and planting, care during the growing season and harvesting. The final stage is storing the resulting fruits.

Among the growing technologies, there is planting in open ground and its further cultivation, and greenhouse and greenhouse cultivation. Equipment and technology can also be used to simplify and automate work in the garden. In this article we will look at the key points of cultivating the most common vegetables in Russia.

Features of cultivation

Before starting any agricultural work, areas for future harvest and storage should be thoroughly prepared. The size of the garden, its location, lighting, security, etc. All factors must be taken into account in advance. This way, you can eliminate many problems associated with growing even before you start planting vegetables. Don't forget about storage space. Preserving food is just as important as growing it. Cellars and special containers must be prepared in advance, because... Vegetables that are not stored properly will not last long.

Before sowing begins, seasonal soil cleaning is carried out.

The best option for planting would be an area with good sunlight, loose soil, into which water and air easily flow, but at the same time moisture-retentive (capable of holding water).

Plot size

The very first condition before starting any work related to growing vegetables is to calculate the size of the soil on which the future garden will be planted. This can be done in two ways:

  1. Calculate the daily requirement of all family members for vegetables. This way you will know how much of each crop you need for the year.
  2. Calculate the amount of possible harvest planned vegetables per square meter of planting.


Such calculations will allow you to prepare places for growing in advance. Experienced gardeners can do this by eye, but beginners should take a more serious approach to the issue of placing crops on the site. It is necessary to remember some points when planning future beds:

  1. The width of the beds should be about 45 cm, if there is only one approach to it. And 80-100 cm, if there is an approach from both sides. This way you won't have to step on it while processing.
  2. There should be convenient paths between the beds, but not too big. The optimal width is 30 cm. You also need at least one with a width of 80-90 cm for a wheelbarrow and several technical areas for watering cans, equipment, etc.
  3. Beds should vary in shape and size. This trick will allow you to remember where and what was planted. Or you can attach signs with the name of the planted crop.
  4. Certain vegetables should be planted clearly, because Some cultures negatively affect the neighborhood, while others, on the contrary, help each other grow. In addition, some flowers and herbs planted within the beds can repel harmful insects and pests.
  5. Every vegetable needs water therefore, the beds should be located in such a way that all plants have free access for watering. However, many crops do not tolerate cold water, therefore, for irrigation, a special tank must be located on the site in which the water settles and heats up.
  6. Some vegetables and herbs can be grown in pots, flower beds, hanging flowerpots.
  7. In addition to the beds, agricultural buildings may be located on the site– greenhouse, greenhouse, storage space for crops or equipment.

Before planting crops, it is necessary to outline the layout of the beds

Crops should not be constantly planted in the same place. Because of this, the soil degenerates and accumulates substances harmful to the crop. Therefore, it is necessary to change the planting location every couple of years for better growth of vegetables. You can read more about crop rotation in the garden in this article.

Illumination

Light is an integral part of the growth of most vegetable crops. Thus, for a good yield, you need to take care in advance of sufficient lighting in your garden. The place for the beds should be located away from trees and buildings. Thus, the seedlings will not be blocked from access to sunlight and will be able to develop well.

Also, the illumination is affected by the planting location in relation to the cardinal directions. The best landing options are:

  • from North to South;
  • from northeast to southwest.

With this arrangement of the beds, vegetables will receive the maximum amount of heat and light throughout the day. It is preferable to allocate the southern part for heat-loving crops (tomatoes, cucumbers, beans), and the northern part is suitable for cold-resistant crops (turnips, radishes).

The vegetable garden should be located in a well-lit area

With a similar arrangement of vegetable beds, the plants are less susceptible to fungal diseases.

Soil composition

The soil on which the future crop will grow is the most important factor in growing vegetables. With the right selection of soil, you will protect the crop and make your care work easier. Therefore, it is especially important to first determine the composition of the soil if you are planting vegetables on it for the first time. Each type of soil has its pros and cons, and also requires certain fertilizer. Even the best soil needs fertilizing from time to time.

The composition of the soil can be:

  • clayey;
  • loamy;
  • sandy;
  • sandy loam.


Loamy and clayey soil can be rolled into a stick (sausage), but this cannot be done with sandy soil. Sandy loam and sandy soils are warm and light - they are easier to cultivate. Loamy and clayey soils are considered heavy and cold. Sandy and clay soils require mandatory pre-treatment. The soil can be cultivated in the fall, but the ideal time for additions is early spring, a month before planting seeds or seedlings.

  1. For sandy soil additives can include mineral fertilizers, peat or manure.
  2. With clayey You should add turf soil, straw manure, mineral fertilizers, compost, and sand.
  3. With increased acidity the soil needs lime additives (wood ash, slaked/quicklime).

The best soils for growing vegetables/fruits are sandy and loamy soils. They are able to bear fruit well without additional processing and feeding.

Storage space

Preserving the crop is no less important than growing it. Not all vegetables can be put in a basket or bag and forgotten until the moment they are needed. Each vegetable requires certain storage conditions. Places and methods may differ depending on where you live - your house or apartment. In a private house there are more conditions for long-term storage, while apartments are suitable for storage for several weeks - months.

A few rules for storing any crops:

  • vegetables must be dry;
  • the fruits must be sorted;
  • vegetables should not be washed before storing;
  • cultures cannot be mixed with each other.

Following just these simple rules will significantly save your harvest. If there are a large number of vegetables, you should consider in more detail where they are stored.

  • Potato It is optimal to store in a cool, dark place at a temperature of +5 - +10. In a warmer and brighter place, the crop germinates or turns green. At zero temperatures, the starch in fruits turns into sugar, and they acquire an unpleasant taste.
  • Root crops ( beets, radishes) are well preserved in ventilated boxes (wooden, cardboard) at temperatures from zero to room temperature. In an apartment, they can be stored on the balcony (until frost) or in a cool place, away from heating systems. For carrots a box of dry sand is ideal.

It is better to store beets with the addition of dry sand.

  • Cabbage heads They are best stored hanging or in a net. Eggplant And zucchini can be stored in the refrigerator in a special compartment for vegetables.
  • Tomatoes can be preserved until January if you select green and undamaged fruits, wrap them in paper and store them in a cool, dark place. Gradually they will ripen and turn red.

  • Fresh cucumbers or Bell pepper Can be stored in a sealed jar, plastic container or pan in the refrigerator.
  • Onion and garlic require pre-drying. The fruits can then be stored at room temperature in a hanging, well-ventilated net.
  • Dill/parsley They can last longer if they are dried and placed in a bag or plastic box in the refrigerator. Green onions need to be separated from the bulbs and stored in the refrigerator.

The greens are pre-dried well and stored in the refrigerator.

Even under the best storage conditions, you should periodically inspect and sort through your vegetable stocks.

Types of crops

You can grow any vegetable in your garden, you just need to take into account the characteristics of a particular crop. Some fruits can grow almost wildly, while others require painstaking processing. Some vegetable crops require equipped greenhouse conditions, others can grow and bear fruit in low temperatures or even snow. Before planting vegetables in your future garden, you need to know some of the characteristic features of certain crops.

Brassicas

The cabbage family includes:

  • white cabbage;
  • red cabbage;
  • broccoli;
  • colored;
  • Brussels sprouts;
  • kohlrabi;
  • Savoy, etc.

Cabbage grows well near most vegetable families. Ideal neighbors for it would be potatoes or onions. Celery can protect heads of cabbage from flea beetles, and dill fights aphids and can improve the taste of cabbage.

Variety of cabbages

Cabbage crops require a lot of space, good watering, timely fertilizing and pest control.

Solanaceae

Most nightshade representatives are very picky about planting conditions. These crops require sufficient lighting, constant and abundant watering, sandy soils and fertilizing are desirable. Because among them there are indeterminate varieties (for example,), strong support and a garter are also required (the stem can grow up to 1.5-3 meters). Nightshades have many subspecies, so you can always choose a variety that is compatible with the conditions of your garden. These crops are very beneficial for health because they contain many vitamins (A, group B, C, P) and minerals (sodium, potassium, iodine, zinc). Such plants include:

  1. Pepper.
  2. Eggplant.
  3. Physalis.
  4. Pepino or melon pear.

Nightshade family

Roots

Root vegetables are one of the staple foods in our area. They are very valuable products due to the presence of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in their composition.

Potato– the most popular vegetable all over the world. This is a complete independent product that can be boiled, fried, steamed, stewed, or added to culinary dishes. It is useful and varied. Most importantly, potatoes can grow in almost any soil if you choose the right variety.

Carrot no less healthy vegetable. It promotes good vision and growth, so it is especially useful for a growing body.

Beet is one of the main suppliers of sugar in the world. In addition, this vegetable is very beneficial for the digestive system.

Onion

Pumpkin

These vegetable crops are characterized by ground, grazing growth. The plant does not grow in height, but in length, spreading across the ground. Many large leaves cover the fruits. On the one hand, this protects the vegetables, on the other hand, the fruits may not receive enough sunlight and ripen slowly. Also a disadvantage of grazing growth is the possibility of early rotting due to excess moisture, or easy access to fruits for pests. But, despite all this, pumpkin and zucchini are crops that are beneficial for the immune system and digestion. Pumpkin can be the basis of dietary or baby food.

Pumpkin family

The peculiarity of pumpkin crops is the ability to interbreed with each other through natural pollination by insects.

Legumes

One of the most ancient vegetable crops. In terms of nutritional value, they are comparable to meat, because... contain 20-40% proteins. Because of this feature, legumes are a must-have product for a healthy diet. All representatives of this family are very demanding on lighting intensity. Also, to simplify the care of crops, you can make supports or fences on which the stem will branch.

Legumes are ideal precursors for any agricultural crop, because... Special bacteria settle in their roots. They form special nodules that accumulate nitrogen compounds. Because of this, any subsequent crop will grow well in such soil.

Spicy-tasting

Garlic is a very beneficial crop for human health. However, this vegetable can also help other crops growing in the neighborhood. Garlic repels borers, caterpillars, and slugs. May protect roses from black spot. At the same time, the vegetable is very picky about the composition of the soil and lighting. It grows best on loamy and sandy loam soils with sufficient light. Horseradish is an equally useful spicy crop. Also loves sandy and loamy soil. Demanding for processing, because May be susceptible to diseases and does not tolerate dry soil. Garlic and horseradish are good crops for seasoning dishes and supporting immunity.

Spicy-flavoring crops

Agricultural technology

Agricultural technology is an important attribute of growing any agricultural crop. If you follow it, your harvest can exceed even the stated maximums. But if neglected, plants may not produce even the minimum amount of fruit. Proper processing and care over several months will more than pay off when you can enjoy the tasty, large and healthy fruits of your labor.

Required buildings

If you live in the northern regions, in dry areas, or want to have crops all year round, and not just in the summer months, you need additional buildings.

  1. Greenhouses allow you to harvest in large quantities and more than once a year. Also, closed soil has an advantage over open soil when growing most vegetables. A significant disadvantage of a greenhouse can be the cost of its installation and maintenance. You can read about how to grow tomatoes in a greenhouse.
  2. Greenhouses are a budget alternative to a greenhouse. Hence a number of disadvantages - lack of heating and entrance. But to preserve seedlings during sudden frosts, a greenhouse is an ideal rescue option.
  3. Watering vegetable crops is necessary for any garden. Ideally you should install irrigation system. Even if it seems like an expensive pleasure, such a system will ultimately save a lot of nerves and effort for the garden owner.

The greenhouse allows you to grow crops all year round

Equipment

The right equipment helps you grow a good harvest. If you decide to save on this article, first of all, you save on your health. In addition, you do not need to buy an expensive tractor to cultivate the beds (unless you grow vegetables on an industrial level). It is enough to acquire basic equipment (shovel, rake, hand tools, buckets, etc.). You should look after your equipment no less carefully than you would look after the future harvest. After all, with the right care (cleaning, storage), these things will last you much longer. And you won't have to buy new tools every year.

Variety of gardening equipment

Disease Prevention

Prevention is always better than cure. This rule works not only with humans or animals. It also applies to plants. There are several ways to prevent vegetable diseases:

  1. Plant crops nearby who protect each other or help a neighbor fight a disease.
  2. Treat plants with protective solutions in a timely manner. But you need to be careful with this, because most of these substances are toxic.
  3. Change planting sites for crops every few years. When a vegetable is constantly planted in the same soil, it becomes more prone to diseases of that crop.

Preparing the soil before planting crops

Weeds

Unfortunately, not only what we need grows in the garden, but also a lot of weeds. If you do not fight this “pest”, it can destroy the crop even at the growth stage, because Weeds take all the nutrients and water from the soil. There are two main ways to control weeds - chemical and manual. With chemical treatment, a solution is sprayed onto the problem area of ​​the soil, which kills weeds. A significant drawback of the method is that the soil or vegetables may be damaged. Manual - physically more difficult, especially with a large garden, but absolutely safe for the harvest.

Video

conclusions

  1. Vegetables are the basis of a healthy diet and body. They are rich in vitamins, minerals and nutrients needed by the body of all ages.
  2. Timely processing and care of plants capable of bringing a rich harvest.
  3. Prevention is better than cure. You should take care of the health of the soil and vegetable crops in advance.
  4. Chemical treatment should only be used as a last resort.
  5. Correct location of the garden good equipment and buildings on the site save the owners nerves and money in the long run.
  6. Thanks to the variety of vegetables you can always find the perfect product for yourself.

The weather is getting better, the sun is shining brighter, and under its gentle rays not only fragile green leaves appear, but also thoughts about future plantings. After they arise, we go to the seed and plant store and buy, buy, buy: everything is so beautiful, inexpensive, and, it turns out, we need absolutely all of it! Common situation? In this case, we recommend that you sit on a bench right in the store, relax a little and read our article about the compatibility of different types of plants. Perhaps after this most of your purchases will go to their original place.

Planting vegetables correctly

Have you probably noticed that in some people’s gardens everything grows and blooms vigorously, while others don’t even sprout? If you sadly consider yourself to be the latter, don’t be upset: it’s not about you! Most likely, you are simply planting your plants incorrectly, and in this matter both “neighborhood” and order are important. For example, onion And carrot will become wonderful neighbors, since the culprit of tears secretes a special substance that saves defenseless carrots from pests. A good solution would be to land peas Near pumpkin: the latter will prevent weeds from growing. If you like to grow tomatoes, but the harvest doesn’t make you too happy, plant a garden bed nearby basilica– its smell cannot be tolerated by caterpillars who want to spoil your tomatoes. In addition, both plants require the same care and watering, so you will make the task much easier for yourself. The same can be said about eggplants And Bulgarian pepper.

Leaf salad It is quite unpretentious and is ready to coexist peacefully with many plants, but keep in mind that it will not “feel” well next to parsley - avoid such a neighborhood. Sunflower It is better to plant it away from other plants, since it releases substances into the ground that prevent everyone but it from growing. If most of your plantings suffer from pest invasion, then you can plant sunny calendula flowers (marigolds) nearby: they will do an excellent job of repelling insects and at the same time decorate the beds.


The sequence of planting plants in the soil is also important, whichmay be oversaturated with any harmful components or, conversely, the necessary elements may be lacking. For example, carrots and beets are very good to grow after potatoes, but such a predecessor is absolutely not suitable for tomatoes. Follow the vegetable cycle on the sign below and you can't go wrong with your planting.


It is worth mentioning separately about the beds: If you think that throwing a generous handful of seeds into the ground is enough, then you are very mistaken. The shape and type of bed largely determines the abundance of your future harvest, as well as the frequency of your “exploits” with a shovel and hoe. If you don’t like to tinker in the garden at all, then the so-called “lazy” beds will be the ideal solution for you. This type of beds requires absolutely no weeding or maintenance, yes, you read that right.


Such beds are prepared in advance in order to thoroughly and properly fertilize the soil. The soil is also mulched, which subsequently prevents weeds from sprouting. The soil is loosened and weeded once - during planting. After this, only regular watering is enough. This idea may seem strange to some, but it really works. Pre-fertilized soil saturates the plants with all the necessary components, and proper planting of the “neighbors” reduces the appearance of weeds and pests to a minimum. In addition, due to the absence of weeding, the plants grow larger and more resilient.

Another interesting option is smart garden beds. In composition, they are very similar to “lazy” beds, but in “smart” beds the emphasis is on even more thorough fertilization of the soil - most often it is compost with the addition of straw. From above, such a combination is covered with a small layer of earth. Such beds are often made very high; they can reach a height of more than a meter. This helps the plantings to be better warmed by the sun.




Of course, this version of the beds will require more effort from you, but later you will be pleasantly surprised by the harvest, as well as the free time you have.

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The most popular way to obtain garden crops in personal plots is to arrange your own beds. You can cultivate many vegetables in open ground: potatoes, cabbage, root vegetables, zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, herbs and much more. But to get a rich harvest, you need not only to properly care for the plants, but also to carefully select the site and prepare it.

You will learn how to do this correctly from our article. We have prepared a detailed overview of methods and means of growing popular garden crops, and selected photos and videos for you that will facilitate the process of growing vegetables in open ground.

Growing vegetables in open ground

Choosing a bed for sowing a particular vegetable should take into account fertility, lighting, humidity level and other parameters necessary for each type of crop. For example, cucumbers are afraid of drafts, so they are placed in areas protected from winds, but at the same time sufficiently moist. For cabbage, choose fertile and moist areas, well-lit and protected from the wind. Tomato beds should be located in areas with sufficient lighting, but without excess moisture.


Figure 1. Preparing the soil for planting vegetables: digging, loosening and fertilizing

After harvesting, the beds must be dug up and fertilized (Figure 1). For this, you can use organic substances (manure, bird droppings or compost), mineral fertilizers or green manure - green plants that make the soil looser, prevent the growth of weeds and saturate it with useful substances.

A prerequisite for choosing a site for vegetables is compliance with crop rotation. Not all cultures get along well with each other. For example, cabbage greatly depletes the soil, so after it it is better to plant vegetables that are undemanding in terms of fertility.

The video shows how to make a universal warm breast for growing vegetables.

Preparing seeds for planting

A high yield of vegetables is ensured not only by the correct selection of location, but also by the preparation of seeds. Regardless of the type of crop, it is necessary to select only the best seeds and treat them before sowing. An example of processing is shown in Figure 2.

Note: Before use, the seeds are heated, hardened and germinated. This ensures the appearance of friendly shoots and high yields.

Preparing vegetable seeds includes:

  • Soaking - the raw materials are immersed in clean water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate for several hours. This helps destroy pathogenic bacteria and saturate the seeds with nutrients.
  • Hardening - the change is wrapped in a damp cloth and placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator for 4-6 hours. After this, transfer to a room at room temperature for another 12 hours.
  • Germination - Before planting, bean or corn seeds are dipped in a plate of water, then wrapped in a damp cloth and kept at room temperature until small roots appear. This procedure significantly increases germination and yield.

Figure 2. Treatment of vegetable seeds before planting

Early and heat-loving crops are grown not only by sowing in open ground, but also by seedlings. This is the only opportunity to get a harvest in regions with a harsh or unstable climate (for example, in Siberia). With the help of seedlings you can get not only cucumbers, tomatoes or cabbage, but also beets, zucchini and corn.

Features of growing vegetables

Since each vegetable has its own growing technology, it is necessary to dwell in more detail on the main aspects of cultivating common crops in open ground.

Cabbage

Fertile soils with a slight moist slope and the ability to retain moisture are excellent for cabbage.

Note: Good beds for cabbage will be those where potatoes, cucumbers or onions used to grow.

You can grow cabbage without seedlings only in warm climates. In other regions, an early harvest of cabbage can only be obtained by pre-breeding seedlings (Figure 3). Seeds are planted at the end of winter in containers with a nutritious earthen mixture. After the formation of several leaves, the seedlings are planted in separate containers.


Figure 3. Planting and growing cabbage

Cabbage seedlings are transplanted in May, but it is advisable to prepare the bed in advance: fertilize it with manure and dig it thoroughly. Cabbage is planted in rows, at a distance of 50 cm from each other. The soil in the hole is moistened and fertilized with humus and ash.

Note: If the threat of frost has not yet passed, the seedlings can be covered with film, but when the temperature stabilizes, the cover is removed.

Cabbage is very sensitive to watering. In the absence of natural precipitation, the soil is moistened every 3 days, and additional loosening is carried out to prevent the formation of a crust on the surface. Hilling will help retain moisture and prevent weed growth. Cabbage can also be fertilized by adding mineral and organic fertilizers (10 days after planting the seedlings and again a month later).

Roots

Well-lit areas are selected for root crops. The most popular crops of this type are carrots and beets. But while carrots tolerate frost and drought well, beets require more stable climatic conditions.

Note: Despite the resistance of root crops to temperature changes, it is recommended to carry out pre-sowing seed treatment to accelerate their germination.

Beets can be sown either directly in open ground or grown using seedlings. The seeds are sown in small containers, and after two or three leaves appear, they are planted (planted in separate pots or cups).


Figure 4. Growing carrots and beets in beds

Sowing directly into the soil is carried out when the soil at a depth of 5 cm has warmed up. Cold soil can cause seeds to germinate slowly or stop growing altogether. Beets may begin to throw out side shoots. Sowing and caring for root crops in open ground is shown in Figure 4.

When growing carrots and beets, you need to properly care for the plants. First of all, this concerns loosening row spacing and applying fertilizers. Loosening the soil is necessary to remove the crust that forms on the surface of the earth after watering or rain. In addition, it helps eliminate weeds and saturate the plant roots with moisture.

Fertilizers are mainly organic (diluted cow manure or bird droppings), but special mineral supplements for root crops can also be used. It is also recommended to periodically thin out the seedlings so that only the strongest plants remain in the garden bed. Thickened plantings also provoke the development of diseases.

From the video you will learn how to properly grow carrots in open ground.

Pumpkin

The most common pumpkin crops in our country's gardens are pumpkin, cucumbers, zucchini and squash. The main requirements for their cultivation are a sufficient amount of air, sunlight and water (Figure 5). At the same time, pumpkin plants are not too demanding on soil fertility; for them, soil moisture is much more important.


Figure 5. Growing pumpkins, cucumbers and zucchini

Despite the fact that cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes and pumpkins belong to the same class of plants, the requirements for growing them in garden beds are slightly different:

  1. Grow pumpkin better in areas previously fertilized with humus or mullein. In order for the seeds to germinate faster, it is recommended to sow them in warm soil and cover them with film before the first shoots appear.
  2. For squash the soil can be fertilized with minerals, but with proper care the crop produces a good harvest without additional fertilizing. Squash can be grown as seedlings, but it is much easier to sow directly into open ground, since the vegetable is highly resistant to frost.
  3. Zucchini- fairly unpretentious vegetables that do not require special conditions. But to obtain a rich harvest, it is recommended to fertilize the soil with organic and mineral additives and observe crop rotation. In addition, zucchini loves well-lit areas and frequent watering. You can plant directly into the ground, but for regions with a harsh climate and short summers, preference should be given to the seedling method.
  4. Cucumbers and their cultivation in open ground It is also quite simple. To do this, simply select a well-lit area with well-drained soil. Vegetables are planted directly in the ground and covered with film to protect the seedlings from frost. Such covering material also prevents the soil from drying out and stops the growth of weeds.

All pumpkin crops have one common requirement for cultivation: they are very sensitive to lack of moisture, so the beds should be watered regularly (every 3-4 days, provided there is no natural precipitation). Lack of water can lead to a decrease in the yield and taste of vegetables.

Peppers and tomatoes

It is possible to grow peppers and tomatoes in open ground only with the help of seedlings, since these crops are heat-loving (Figure 6). The bed is placed in a well-lit place protected from cold winds. In addition, it is necessary to fertilize the soil with organic and mineral fertilizers in the fall.


Figure 6. Growing seedlings of peppers and tomatoes in beds

In warm climates, peppers can still be grown without seedlings. To do this, the seeds are sown in prepared soil around the end of May and covered with film. After the first shoots appear, the shelter is removed. Tomato seedlings are also transferred to the soil at the end of May. After planting, you need to properly care for the plants, in particular, regularly loosen the soil to remove weeds, apply fertilizing during flowering and the beginning of fruiting, and also provide the crops with a sufficient amount of liquid.

Legumes

The most popular legumes are beans and corn. These are heat-loving plants, for which they select areas protected from the winds and well-lit (Figure 7).

When growing legumes in open ground, it is necessary to strictly observe crop rotation and carry out pre-sowing seed treatment. This will help not only improve the quality and quantity of seedlings, but also strengthen the seedlings during the development period.


Figure 7. Sowing and growing beans and corn

Since both corn and beans are very sensitive to frost, they are planted in open ground after the weather becomes consistently warm. In addition, before planting, it is recommended to germinate the seeds in a damp cloth until small roots appear.

Potato

Potatoes are the most common vegetable in the gardens of our country. This crop is undemanding in terms of soil fertility, but a rich harvest is still easier to obtain if sufficient amounts of organic and mineral fertilizers are applied.


Figure 8. Growing potatoes in open ground

Medium-sized tubers are suitable for planting. Longitudinal rows with holes are made in the garden bed at a distance of 30-40 cm from each other (Figure 8).

Note: Before planting, the tubers should produce small “eyes”, which indicate that the first shoots will soon appear.

Throughout the entire growing period, potatoes are weeded and hilled several times to remove weeds. If necessary, fertilize or use chemicals to combat diseases and pests. In general, growing potatoes in open ground is quite simple, and even novice gardeners can cope with the cultivation of this vegetable.

From the video you will learn how to properly grow potatoes and care for them.

Greenery

Green crops are divided into salad crops (intended for fresh consumption) and spinach crops (used for further processing). Salad greens also include spicy crops (basil, dill, cilantro), which are added to dishes fresh or dried. The greenery planting scheme is shown in Figure 9.

The most popular greens for fresh consumption are leaf lettuce. This is a cold-resistant crop that grows well in any soil, but it is better to obtain a bountiful harvest on loose soils.

Note: To keep the lettuce leaves large and juicy, the beds need to be watered regularly.

Figure 9. Planting scheme and growing greens in open ground

Another popular herb is dill, which is also resistant to cold and disease and does not require careful care. In the wild, dill grows freely, and often it does not even need to be specially planted, since it is sown independently in the garden beds. Dill can be harvested both for greens and for seeds (umbels), which are used as a seasoning.

Regardless of the type of crop, vegetables require careful care. Key activities include (Figure 10):

  • Loosening - Using this procedure, the top crust that covers the ground after rain or watering is broken. Loosening helps improve the penetration of air and moisture into the deep layers of the soil. In addition, this allows you to remove roots and young weeds.
  • Watering - Most vegetable crops and herbs require regular watering. But the amount and frequency of water application is different. For example, cucumbers and zucchini require more moisture for abundant fruiting, and excessive watering of tomatoes can provoke late blight.
  • Feeding - The application of organic and mineral fertilizers at different stages of cultivation allows you to accelerate the growth of crops, make flowering more intense or improve the quality of fruits.
  • Hilling - During the hilling process, the bushes are sprinkled with dry soil or peat. This helps retain moisture and prevents weed growth.
  • Mulching- This is covering the space around the bushes with a layer of sawdust, straw or a special film. Using mulch helps retain moisture, slow weed growth and protect young seedlings from frost.

Figure 10. Vegetable care: loosening, watering, fertilizing and mulching

In addition, the growing process may require the use of special chemicals (herbicides and insecticides) to prevent disease and control pests.