Beating The Heat - The Hardiest Vegetables To Plant In A Sunny Garden

There is nothing better than eating vegetables that come from your own back yard. Planning and choosing what type to plant is the hard part for sure. Different vegetables grow in different types of light and need a specific amount of space between each plant. For those who have a very sunny garden you will need to know which vegetables can with stand a constant stream of sun rays everyday with out becoming damaged. You need to choose vegetables that flourish in this lighting condition to be successful. Choosing the right type of garden will be the first order of business.

The most successful garden type is a bed rather than planting in rows. This allows you to utilize all of your compost for planting. The rows tend to waist valuable compost materials, not to mention that stepping on the soil in between rows kills the soil structure. Bed need to be on the smaller side so that they are easily tended to for weeding and harvesting. Several rows of smaller beds will allow for all the work to be done easily but give you plenty of space to plant plenty of vegetables. Make sure to raise the beds 8-12 inches above ground to give them proper drainage. This will also keep the soil warmer in the cooler months as well.

It is very important to prepare your soil right to create less work in the future. Be sure to dig up each bed and break up all compacted soil. This helps with irrigation and drainage. You will want to remove all weeds and rocks as well as you go. Once you are ready to plant you will need to know which plants should be where. Some plants are companion plants and grow very well together, while others should be avoided. If you plan to grow potatoes make sure that you do not put them in the same bed as your squash and tomatoes. The potatoes will inhibit their growth. Beans will stop the growth of onions, while broccoli should not be with tomatoes. This is very important to know so that your garden will be great and all the plants and vegetables can grow to their full potential. It is best to plant companion plants in the same beds and their counterparts together in another bed.

Many vegetables should be planted together not only because they grow well with each other, but also because they use similar soil and share many of the same pests. This will make rotating and caring for crops easier. Rotating your crops yearly is much advised to prevent soil disease and preserve nutrients. Crops that should be planted together for hearty growth and maximum benefit are:

Onions, garlic, leeks, scallions, and shallots (Alliums)

Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and brussels sprouts (Brassicas)

Collards, radishes, rutabaga, and turnips (Crucifers)

Melons, squashes (including pumpkins, zucchini, etc), and cucumbers (Cucurbits)

Legumes, which includes beans and peas

Tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers (Solanaceae)

Arugula, radiccio, chicory, endive, swiss chard, and escarole (Mescluns)

Asparagus, artichokes, and rhubarb (perennial vegetables) should never be rotated and planted together in a separate bed. All of the hearty common vegetables are on a yearly rotating schedule with a four-year plan. Every year you will move your groups over to a bed they have not been in for at least 4 years.

Even the hardiest vegetables need extra care when watering. You will need to be consistent for best results. Using a soaker hose is a wise choice. All the plants will get even watering with out getting the leaves wet. All you will have to do is turn the hose on. Planting a vegetable garden is a wonderful use of a sunny back yard. All you need to know are the basics of how to be successful and you are golden. Make sure to plant small amounts of short season vegetables through out the entire growing season. This will keep you from having an over abundance of all your vegetables and wasting good crops. You will be able to have a continued harvest for the entire season and get your time and moneys worth out of your garden.