Planning and planting your own vegetable garden delivers a satisfying experience. Of course, the most obvious benefit is providing your family with a wholesome fresh food that is rich in vitamins and minerals. Although quality vegetables can be purchased in supermarkets, many homeowners are turning to gardening as a supplement to fresh, frozen or canned products. Besides being economical, the flavor and texture of the homegrown vegetable far exceeds the best that many grocery stores have to offer.
Besides great nutrition, there are many other benefits obtained from a homegrown vegetable garden. Sunshine and fresh air, exercise, and mental therapy are just a few of these benefits. Others include a developing knowledge of a new hobby and, perhaps, if you are industrious, supplemental income. Of course, there is work involved in planting your own garden, but the benefits gained will well outweigh the labor.
Zoning
Vegetables fare differently depending on the zone planted, so it is important to know your geographical planting zone. If for nothing else, this knowledge enables you to know when you should begin your garden. A zone number identifies the typical coldest winter temperature for that area. The average coldest winter temperature for Zone 7 is between 0 and 10 degrees. It is considered the “middle ground” of gardening in the United States. Zone 7 includes states from Delaware into northern Georgia and stretches westward into southern Oklahoma and northern Texas. The planting season can typically begin earlier in these warmer states, making Zone 7 vegetable gardening a profitable venture.
Vegetables for Zone 7
With lower elevations and longer days, a variety of vegetables will thrive in a Zone 7 garden. Lettuce, cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprouts can be planted before the last frost. Carrots, beets, radishes, and parsnips will also do well. Onions, potatoes, peas, radishes, salad greens, and a variety of herbs can also be planted during this time frame. Most areas in zone 7 get moderate to high rainfall and many areas have little snowcover in winter. This makes zone 7 gardening an ideal gardening environment. Fall-grown vegetables, in particular, are usually of very high quality.
Choosing a Garden Size
You don’t need a large space to start your Zone 7 vegetable garden. The size of your garden depends on the suitability of certain types of vegetables to your area. When choosing a garden size, consider the kinds of vegetables to be planted. Some vegetables need more “growing space” than others. Planting corn, for instance, in a small garden space, will limit the number of other vegetable that can be planted. Some vegetable can be planted in containers. This is another way to grow multiple vegetables in a small space. You can be creative and make it work. More importantly than space, is to make sure you have plenty of sunshine, water, and good soil.
Gardening is a rich experience. It does not have to be difficult or time-consuming. Zone 7 gardening will allow you to begin your planting a little earlier than other zones. This could mean a greater harvest as the growing season is extended. If you are dedicated to the mission at hand, like anything else, you will soon see the rewards. Before you know it, you will be reaping the harvest of your Zone 7 vegetable garden.
