
Once we get our gardens up and growing: we need to turn our focus on plant production. As soon as our plants start growing we are in there with them, doing whatever we can to stimulate their growth. Plants may be able to survive by getting some sunlight and water but they will thrive with a little help.
Try these four quick steps: just start at one end of a row and work to the other end. It only takes a few minutes per row to stimulate your produce, flowers and herbs which will in turn, produce more product for you.
1. Remove the weeds
The trouble with weeds is they are not only unsightly, they draw nutrients and moisture: leaving less for the plants and vegetables.
2. Thin the plants
Too crowded plants are stunted plants so, thin those babies out. A good thing is a lot of those smaller plants are still edible. Beets, carrots and lettuce are three examples where the little plants are just fine to eat.
3. Aerate the soil around the plants
Using a tine hoe (or regular hoe or hand tool), loosen the soil around the maturing plants to stimulate the growth which will allow the nutrients and water to more easily reach the roots.
4. Fertilize as needed
Once you have weeded, thinned and aerated you can sprinkle fertilizer (preferably organic) around the plants. Since you already did the first three steps, the fertilizer will have easy access to the roots and not be wasted on weeds or excess plants.
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