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Vegetable Gardening Basics

Planning the Garden

Identify your garden problems and make plans to solve them before the next planting season. Make plans on paper during the winter months. By following basic recommendations, even the new gardener can avoid most common garden problems. The following are areas where planning ahead will pay off.

Soil testing

The root of your trouble may be in the soil. There are two soil tests that can mean the difference between success and failure in many gardens: (1) a soil test to determine fertility levels and lime needs, and (2) a test to determine whether or not nematodes are a problem in your soil. These tests are worthless unless soil samples are properly taken and recommendations followed. Your local county Extension office has instructions and containers for mailing samples to the laboratories in Fayetteville and Marianna.

Family eating habits

To determine what vegetables to plant, consider what your family likes to eat. You may want to can and freeze certain vegetables; consider this when planning how much to plant. Try and introduce at least one new vegetable to the family each year.

Vegetables - A Source of Vitamins

A well-planned vegetable garden can be a source of vitamins for the family. Vitamins from fresh vegetables are no different from those of other sources.

Vegetables are important for their contributions of vitamins A and C and fiber, although individual foods in this group may vary widely in how much of these they provide. Dark-green and deep-yellow vegetables are good sources of vitamin A. Most dark-green vegetables, if not overcooked, are also reliable sources of vitamin C. Dark-green vegetables are valued for riboflavin, folacin, iron, and magnesium, as well. Certain greens - collards, kale, mustard, turnip, and dandelion - provide calcium.

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