Few things
are as satisfying as planting a vegetable garden, especially when it’s a family
effort. What better way to get closer – to nature and each other – than to grow
things together? And when you can eat the fruits of your labor, so much the
better!
Fresher
better tasting veggies easy to grow
It’s true
that vegetables you grow yourself taste better; they’re at their freshest,
tastiest and most nutritious when you eat them just-picked, and because you
control how they’re grown, you can limit what they come into contact with and
even do so organically. It’s easier than you think to grow vegetables without
chemicals by using natural controls such as insecticidal soaps, pyrethrums,
barriers, floating row covers, pest traps and natural repellants. Today there
are more options out there than ever before.
Planning and
timing is important when planting your garden. The first and most important
part of your plan is to be realistic. If you start mapping out a large garden,
no matter how eager you are, how many hands are helping or how good your
intentions, you may find out too late that it’s too big to care for or will
demand more time than you have.
A garden
doesn’t have to take up acres or even yards. You can plant in containers,
raised beds or have a small, in-ground garden patch. It might be better to
start out small and see what grows best. You might be surprised, for example,
just how many zucchini you get from just one plant! You can always expand your
garden plot next year when you have more experience.
Let the
kids start their own garden
When
planning, get the kids involved! You’ll be teaching them about nature,
patience, where food comes from and the benefits of hard – but fun – work. You
might even get them to eat their vegetables, especially if you let them choose
what to plant.
You can set
aside a container, bed or spot for each child to plant and care for. Large
seeds, such as peas and beans, are easy for small hands to plant, and leaf
lettuce and radishes grow fast and are quick to show results. Kids will also
enjoy growing sunflowers, which are not only tall and colorful but will also
feed the birds when the seeds mature! Kids of all ages like to grow pumpkins
and corn. They aren’t difficult to grow but require a large space. Corn has to
be grown as a “block” of multiple rows; corn plants are wind-pollinated so a
single row will not produce well, and pumpkin plant vines will spread along the
ground.
It’s not
too late to plant now!
Some
vegetables, like cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, are cold-tolerant and
can be planted early in the spring. Tomatoes, peppers and eggplant are best
planted after danger of frost has passed in mid-May. You may need to do some
homework to learn how and when to plant your vegetables and whether they should
be planted as transplants or from seed. All vegetables require at least six to
eight hours of direct sunlight and you’ll need to make sure you have a source
of water nearby.
Whatever your
experience level or the size of your yard, a vegetable garden is a great and
worthwhile outdoor family activity and an excellent learning experience for
young and old. From planning to harvest it’s as rewarding as it gets, so give
it a try and savor the results!
In 1919 Ralph A. Adams and his wife, Mary Rogers Adams,
purchased 50 acres of farmland on Dutchess Turnpike in Poughkeepsie, New York.
They worked the land, selling fresh produce to area retailers. By 1933 they had
four children and a successful farm stand.
About Adams Fairacre Farms
Adams Fairacre Farms is a family-owned business with stores located in Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Newburgh and Wappinger with plans of expansion now underway. Adams celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019 and supports over 100 local farmers and vendors as well as 1,350 employees. Adams Fairacre Farms is passionate about their customers and continues to be a leader in the Hudson Valley.
For more information, visit our website.
Adams locations
Poughkeepsie
765 Dutchess Turnpike, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
(845) 454-4330