How to Make Garden Rows
Having a home garden will save you time and money that you would have spent purchasing groceries at the local stores. You will also get the freedom to grow all the vegetables you love organically. You will no longer have to worry about the safety of the foods since you will be growing them organically or using chemicals such as herbicides and fungicides sparingly and as per the manufacturers' recommendations.
One of the challenges homeowners faces when preparing a home garden is sourcing quality soil and making garden rows. Apart from clearing the land, this is one of the most critical steps you should take with great care and precision to achieve the expected results.
Here is a simple guide on making straight garden rows this weekend.
Develop a Plan
Failing to plan is tantamount to planning to fail. You must plan well to maximize the available space in your backyard. Take measurements of the area open to divide it into sections depending on the type of vegetables you intend to plant.
Check online guides to know the ideal spacing between the plant to see the number of rows made in the garden. Remember, if the spacing between the rows and plants is small, there will be fierce competition for nutrients and water.
Most vegetables will do well in small rows with approximately 15 inches between the rows. However, large vegetables require about 36 inches between the rows.
Prepare the Ground for Rowing and Planting
Purchase a tiller or hoe online or from one of the accredited local stores. The soil needs to be rich in all the nutrients required by the plants. So, even as you make the rows make plans on adding manure or fertilizers before you plan the vegetables.
If you are into sustainable living, it's recommendable to use compost manure and adhere to the best organic farming practices. Make use of a rototiller to loosen the soil so that the roots of the young plants can penetrate the particles to access the nutrients.
We recommend using a rake to smoothen and level the surface. If this is not the first time you are planting in the garden, consider turning the soil over so the soil rich in nutrients is on the top layers.
However, if the garden is new, invest in an advanced self-propelled lawn mower to clear the space. While looking for information to write this article, we came across many blogs that discussed the different types of lawnmowers in the market. Here is some worth reading to make the right decision.
https://www.backyardstyle.com/best-self-propelled-lawn-mower/
https://www.protoolreviews.com/best-self-propelled-lawn-mower-reviews/
https://www.thespruce.com/best-self-propelled-lawn-mowers-4845962
Mark the Garden to Make Straight Rows
To plant your vegetables in a straight row, you need first to mark or make demarcations in the garden. Place a stake on one edge of the garden and observe the spacing depending on the type of vegetable you intend to grow.
Once you have the first row, move on to the second row and keep in mind the recommended spacing. As mentioned earlier, 15 inches spacing for small vegetables such as coriander and 36 inches for large vegetables such as cabbages.
You can also use a twine to make lines on each side of the stake to achieve straight rows. As mentioned earlier, the rowing process is the most important as it directly impacts how the plants grow. Make sure that you do it correctly and confirm that the spacing is correct before you embark on planting. If not, the health of the plants will be affected due to a lack of enough nutrients.
Plant the Vegetables
We recommended you use a twine to guide you when making the rows in the previous step. Use it as a guide when making furrows. The depth of the furrows is dependent on the type of vegetables. Deep-rooted plants require deep furrows, and the opposite is true for shallow-rooted plants.
For example, if you want to plan beans, use a sturdy cutlass to make deep furrows. Be sure to wear protective clothing such as an apron, gumboots and gloves to protect yourself from injuries.
Go an extra mile and use the hoe to make a trench to irrigate the crops. The trench should be at least four inches deep to ensure that the roots have unlimited water access.
Once the rows and furrows are ready, proceed to plant the seeds following the recommendations indicated on the package. Monitor their growth to know if you need to add composite manure or fertilizers. During the initial stages, protect them from direct sun to cushion them from withering.
Final Thoughts
Making garden rows isn't rocket science, as most people perceive. Follow the above guidelines and use the tools recommended to get the best results. Don't shy away from seeking help from neighbors who have a garden or professional agriculturalists if you're unsure how to do any of the processes.