All about vegetables... planting, caring, compost, seeding and harvesting good vegetables

Like all plants, vegetables need a lot of care if they are going to grow and reach there full potential. Vegetables will not produce flowers and will certainly not produce a meaningful harvest especially when they are attacked by pests and infected by diseases. With vegetables, selecting the right compost, seed and position play a crucial role in the life of the vegetable in the container.

The right compost for vegetables

There are numerous plant mixtures available on the market. Most consist of peat, sand, loam and fertilizer. Some contain bark mixed with humus instead of peat purely for ecological reasons. There are different compost types

Seeding compost

it as a low dosage of fertilizer and as the name suggests is used for sowing seeds.

Planting compost

it has more volume of fertilizer than seeding compost and is used for planting young plants. Its referred to as potting compost

Special vegetable compost

This is particularly good for vegetables in containers as it as many nutrients and trace elements, allows water and air to move freely within it and gives the root of the vegetable adequate support. Special compost is available from most garden centers and nurseries.

Compost containing controlled release fertilizers

the fertilizer in this compost release nutrients periodically over time. Release rates are mainly dependent on temperature and moisture content of the compost.

Is it possible to make my own planting compost?

Yes! Its very possible to make compost by mixing three parts peat, two parts each of perfect garden soil and ripe garden compost and one part sand. If you are worried about using peat replace it with shreds or fibers.

Add to a 10 liter bucket of compost

  • 30 g of an organic compound fertilizer

  • 20-40 g lime

  • Mix everything thoroughly

  • Selecting the right seed

The harvest can only be as good as the seed used you reap what you sow. If you use unhealthy seeds then the end results will be dismal. When selecting vegetables it is necessary to take into account all traits of the variety such as:

  • The growing time

  • The colour

  • The shape and height

Varieties that experience a compact growth are ideal for tubs or balcony boxes. Seeds maintain there germinating ability for 4 years so it's best to check the best before date before taking them home.

Quality seeds are normally packed in special germination proof packets that will be sealed. Do not buy seed packets that will be open and have cracks. Do not break the seal until shortly before using the seed.

Choose varieties that have a resistance against disease such as powdery or downy mildew and other malicious fungal infestations.

Tips on buying plants

Only purchase young healthy strong and small plants. The plants must have a good root stock. Smaller seedlings grow much better than large ones.

Sowing vegetable plants

There is a difference between seed and plant vegetables. Seed vegetables such as radishes, lettuces and spinach must be sow directly in to the container from which they are to be harvested when they are grown.

Plant vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and kohlrabi are planted initially as seed in trays, then latter pricked or thinned out to be planted in final containers.