Growing your own giant vegetables gives satisfaction.
Most garden vegetables have a long history of cultivation. Gardeners know how much light and water, and what kind of soil they need to survive. And most plants will grow using whatever nature offers. But to grow big, robust vegetables, gardeners must provide above and beyond what the vegetable plants can get by themselves. Soil amendments, fertilizers and good garden practices all can boost the size of your vegetables. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Select larger cultivars to set out. Some varieties of vegetables are especially bred for their larger size.
2. Pick a spot for the garden that receives at least eight to 10 hours of sun during the day.
3. Test the soil with a home-test kit for the proper pH balance. The optimum range for most vegetables is between 6 and 6.5. Till into the soil either crushed limestone to raise the pH balance or sulphur to lower it to the proper level.
4. Prepare the soil two to three weeks before planting by adding 2 to 4 inches of well-matured compost over the top of the soil. Add 1 lb. of blood meal per 100 square feet of garden space over the compost for a nitrogen boost. Till both into the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches.
5. Dip the root balls of the plants into a fertilizer such as fish emulsion before setting them into the ground. After planting, water the plants thoroughly.
6. Mulch around the plants to keep weeds away, They compete with the growing vegetables for nutrition.
7. Provide proper watering. Stick your finger completely into the soil and if the tip is dry, water until the soil becomes moist 6 inches deep.
8. Fertilize again lightly around the plants as they begin to flower.
9. Prune back the weaker parts of the plants and the smaller fruit. The more energy the plant has to put toward an individual fruit, the larger it will grow.
