If you are a beginning gardener, you have probably decided to start planting exotic vegetables. You may already have some experience growing vegetables in your own garden. That’s great! You can rest assured that planting vegetables is easier than most other kinds of plants and it provides lots of excitement and pleasure.
Start your exotic vegetable seeds early in the spring, just like you do for any other plants. Consider sowing seedlings in shallow potting mix inside a plastic or glass container. When doing so, be sure to follow all the seed-sowing instructions on the package. You can get technical about how heirloom seeds should be planted in various situations, but this is the general advice: Use good soil, water them well, keep weeds under control, then keep your seedlings well watered and protected from the wind until the seedlings begin to grow about 2 inches tall.
When planting, use a spade or fork to dig a hole that is at least three to four inches deep. Do not dig too deep, or else the roots will not receive the oxygen they need to survive. The reason you want the roots to thrive is to provide ample nutrients to your vegetables when they begin to grow. However, this does mean that you will need to keep your seedlings well watered while they are growing. Remember that while exotic vegetable seeds can survive in moderately well-drained garden soil, they will not do so well in heavy, clay-based garden soils.
Once your seedlings come up through the top of your pots, it’s time to plant them. Just like traditional vegetable growing, container gardening relies on regular watering and frequent fertilization. Remember, however, that the timing and amount you apply will vary based on the amount of space you have available for planting. Exotic veggies will do best if you space them about one to two feet apart, since they cannot grow as fast as regular veggies when given adequate room to grow.
Fertilizing your exotic vegetables is also very important, but it should be done in stages. Start by applying a light dusting of fertilizer at least a week before you plan to plant. When the dirt starts to heat up (about seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit), add a heavy application of fertilizer. Continue to do this every other week, until your garden starts appearing healthy and the tops of your pots are beginning to turn brown. (Exotic veggies do best when they are warm.)
Once your garden has begun to grow, you should take special care to avoid wasting food. Always store your seeds in a safe place, like a wooden shelf or Tupperware container, tightly sealed with a lid. It may take a while to germinate and grow, so don’t expect to harvest vegetables from your garden immediately. This is especially true if you’re growing vegetables seeds for the first time. Always follow the directions on the seed packaging, keeping in mind that most seeds sold today contain starter materials that need to be sowed in wetter conditions for several weeks.
As your garden starts to mature, transplant your seeds and use mulch to protect them from the elements. Just keep in mind that winter is the best time to fertilize your garden. Planting and growing exotic vegetables using park seeds take a lot of hard work and dedication, but the payoff of having a beautiful garden in the end is well worth it.
If you’re tired of the typical grocery store produce, try some of the new, healthier alternatives that container gardening offers. You can also make your own homegrown fruits and vegetables to take home instead of buying them at the store. Growing exotic plants can offer you a fresh, nutrient-rich garden all year around, no matter what time of year it is. With a little bit of research and knowledge, container gardening can be a great way to grow healthy foods right in your own home.