Via Oregon - May/June 2021 - 10

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Step-by-step
guide to starting
a vegetable
garden
From small containers to raised beds,
your outdoor space can become an
edible oasis.
Juicy strawberries, sweet peas, and tender
zucchini are just some of the delights an edible
garden can bring. " It's a pleasurable thing to
be outside, " says Leslie Wiser, owner and
operator of Radical Family Farms, a 1.5-acre
farm in Sonoma County, Calif., that grows
Asian heritage vegetables, herbs, and ﬂowers.
But as with any big project, getting started
can feel intimidating. Follow this straightforward
guide to plant a thriving vegetable garden.

10

V I A | M AY+ J U N E 2 0 2 1

STEP 1

Choose your spot.
You don't need much room.
If you have even a small
amount of outdoor space, you
can grow vegetables. Raised
beds and tidy plots are great,
but many edibles-including
lettuce, herbs, and tomatoes-
can ﬂourish in containers on a
balcony or patio.
When it comes to location,
sunshine is the most important
factor to consider. " You need a
minimum of six hours [of sunlight], " Wiser says, " but you
want as much sun as possible. "
STEP 2

Test your soil.
Veggies thrive in well-drained,
nutrient-rich soil. " Western
soils are nutrient poor, and
sometimes highly alkaline,
which locks up some nutri-

ents, " says Kevin Erdmann,
certified nursery professional
and master gardener with
Phoenix's Berridge Nurseries.
The best way to know the
state of your soil is to send a
sample to a professional lab or
test it yourself with an at-home
kit from a garden center or
hardware store. Doing so
reveals the nutrients and pH of
your soil. If your soil isn't ideal,
Erdmann recommends doing
one of two things. The first is
improving the existing soil with
a layer of compost and organic
plant foods. " Till all of that into
the top foot of soil, put down
an inch or two of organic
mulch, water deeply to settle
everything down, and let it
sit for two weeks [before
planting], " Erdmann says.
Revitalizing your existing soil
is the most sustainable and

DEYAN GEORGIEV / SHUTTERSTOCK

SMART LIFE
Via Oregon - May/June 2021

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