Choosing the Right Site

Vegetables can be produced successfully in a garden of almost any size, from a large vegetable plot to a few containers on a balcony or patio. However much space you can devote to growing vegetables, there are a number of factors to consider in selecting a suitable site:

1. Sunlight

Choose a spot that gets at least 6 hours direct sunlight per day, preferably 8-10. Vegetables should therefore be planted away from the shade of buildings, trees and shrubs, and tall crops, such as climbing beans, should be positioned where they will not shield dwarf-sized plants from the sun. However, you may find that leafy crops such as lettuce, cabbage, greens, spinach and parsley can tolerate shadier conditions than other crops.

2. Water

Most vegetables need reasonably moist soil to grow, and will also need additional water at critical times to help them crop more heavily. It is therefore important to site your vegetables near a convenient water supply, or a place that may be reached easily by a hose.

3. Soil

The best soil in which to grow vegetables is a loose, well-drained loam, which offers the following qualities:

• Rich in nutrients.
• Excellent structure that does not become dusty in dry periods or sticky during wet weather.
• Supports a population of micro-organisms and earthworms that break down organic matter.
• Crumbly texture remains aerated - important for the roots of the vegetables and the living organisms in the soil.

A well drained and moisture retentive soil with the qualities shown above will grow most vegetables successfully, and will need little extra feeding. Although very few of us are lucky enough to have such perfect soil, it is normally quite simple to enhance the structure by adding in soil improvements.

Sandy soils have the advantage that they warm up very quickly in spring, making them ideal for early crops. However, their free-draining structure means that nutrients drain away quickly, and so they will frequently need additional feeding. At the other end of the scale is slow-draining, cold, heavy clay. Although it is very slow to warm up in spring, it is highly fertile, making it useful for growing 'hungry' crops, such as cabbage. Its structure can be improved by incorporating organic matter, and if necessary, drainage.