Drawing upon more than 10 years of experience, Wanda Tineo is a New York-based independent real estate agent who previously worked with Kennedy & Kennedy. Beyond her professional pursuits, Wanda Tineo enjoys growing flowers and maintaining a vegetable garden.
Growing your own vegetables can help offset expensive grocery bills and is easier than you might think. Below are three important things to consider when starting your own garden:
1. Plant crops in triangles - In order to achieve maximum yields, planting in triangles is ideal. It allows you to fit nearly 15 percent more plants in each bed compared to planting in rows or square patterns. However, be sure to space plants out enough so they have enough room to reach their optimal size.
2. Pick an area that receives lots of sunlight - You can still grow some herbs and leafy crops in shadier areas. However, it's important to pick a location in your garden that receives at least eight hours of direct sunlight per day. This is particularly the case if you plan on growing tomatoes, peppers, or cucumbers.
3. Include insect-friendly plants - Insects like butterflies, ladybugs, and bees can help boost crop pollination and improve the health of your plants. To attract them, be sure to include insect-friendly plants in your garden. Some examples include zinnias, sunflowers, and sweet alyssum.
