The type of soil you have and the climate that characterizes your geographical area are fundamental elements to take into consideration when choosing which vegetable plants to grow.
To be suitable for hosting your vegetables, your soil should be medium textured, not too stony and rich in organic substances that plants need to feed and grow.
To avoid dangerous water stagnations, which could ruin the crops, the land should be (as far as possible) flat or in any case well worked so that there are no depressions.
Keep in mind, however, that even if the starting conditions of your soil are not optimal, you can still improve them both by working it and by modifying its structure . For example, if you add sand, you will make a very compact soil more permeable.
Climate is another determining factor in obtaining satisfactory results , so knowing the characteristics of your area well will give you the possibility of choosing with full knowledge of the facts without making mistakes.
Finally, you will also need to evaluate the amount of sun exposure your vegetable plants can benefit from. Most varieties of crops need direct, full sun for at least 7 hours a day .
Some species, such as lettuce for example, grow better if grown in partial shade, that is, half the day in the sun, half in the shade.
In this article we will delve into the following topics:
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How many and what types of soil are there?
1. Gravelly soil: not very suitable for vegetable plants
2. Sandy soil: fertilize and water often
3. Silty soil: add organic matter
4. Limestone soil: ideal for cabbages and cauliflowers
5. Clay soil: how to make it better
6. Medium textured soil: the best type for vegetable plants - How to make the soil soft to accommodate vegetable plants
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4 Vegetable Garden Plants Suitable for All Types of Soil
1. How to Grow Tomatoes: Water, Fertilize and Support
2. How to transplant lettuce: leave ⅓ of the cube out of the ground
3. How to grow courgettes in the garden: space and mild climate
4. How to Grow Aromatic Herbs, Easy and Useful for the Garden
How many and what types of soil are there?
We said that knowing the type of soil is essential to decide which plants to grow because, over time, different plant species have adapted to growing in soils with certain characteristics.
In nature we can find 6 different types of soil :
- Gravelly
- Sandy
- Silty
- Clay
- Calcareous
- Medium dough.
Let's see them together.
1. Gravelly soil: not very suitable for vegetable plants
Gravelly soil contains at least 40% of stones, gravel and coarse sand. It is a very porous soil, where water flows quickly, dry and poor in organic matter and therefore not very fertile .
If you have this type of soil you will have to work as much as possible with a spade and hoe to remove stones and rocks and add sand and manure.
2. Sandy soil: fertilize and water often
Sandy soil is at least 70% sand. It is light, loose, very permeable and poor in organic matter .
If when you crush a handful of soil from your garden it crumbles very quickly , it means that your soil is sandy.
This type of soil has the advantage of being very easy to work and, given its light consistency, contains a lot of oxygen, a precious ally of vegetables.
On the other hand, sandy soil dries out very quickly and therefore, especially in the hottest periods, is more at risk of drought and will require more frequent irrigation.
To cultivate this type of soil you will need to frequently fertilize with manure, compost, dung and organic fertilizers.
The main varieties of vegetable plants that you can grow in sandy soil , adopting the appropriate improvements, in this type of soil are: garlic, onion, pepper, shallot, tomato, aubergine, carrot, watermelon, potato, fennel and broad bean.
3. Silty soil: add organic matter
Silty soil gets its name from silt, a very fertile and grainy mud of which it is composed for at least 50%.
Since the time of the ancient Egyptians, silt has been recognized for its fertilizing properties but, if in excess, it makes the soil compact and difficult to work.
The granules, enveloping the roots, make it difficult for them to breathe and can cause water stagnation.
This type of soil leaves a whitish residue similar to talcum powder on the hands and in the case of strong summer storms, when it can get wet and dry quickly, it tends to form a superficial crust.
Silty soil is therefore suitable for growing vegetable plants as long as you add organic matter and - if necessary - sand which makes its structure more suitable for working.
The varieties that are best suited to this type of soil are : chicory, radicchio , beetroot and broad beans.
4. Limestone soil: ideal for cabbages and cauliflowers
Limestone soil contains at least 20% limestone which makes it rather white, loose and dusty and not very suitable for retaining organic matter.
It is a difficult terrain for growing a vegetable garden because, having a very basic pH, it is not suitable for most vegetable plants that prefer an acid or neutral pH.
If your soil is very light in color and compacts when it rains, it is probably calcareous.
At this point you can intervene by incorporating manure to make the pH more acidic and to provide the plants with the organic substance that this soil is poor in and peat soil to have the right consistency for working.
In the case of particularly compact soil, we recommend that you also add sand.
A calcareous soil is ideal for cabbages and cauliflowers that fear an acidic pH and for aromatic garden plants such as thyme and rosemary.
If the soil is not too dry, you can also plant melons, leeks and artichokes.
Suitably enriched with organic substances, a calcareous soil can also usefully accommodate garlic, carrots, beetroot, radishes, parsnips, beans, peas, lentils, kidney beans, tomatoes, lettuce and Jerusalem artichokes.
5. Clay soil: how to make it better
Clay soil is probably one of the least suitable for growing vegetable plants .
So if you find yourself facing this type of terrain, you will have to face a few more obstacles.
If the clods in your garden are very difficult to break , contain few roots and insects, and in periods of drought the surface of the soil cracks, arm yourself with patience and good will because you will have to deal with difficult clay soil.
This type of soil, although rich in nutrients, is heavy and suffocates the roots of the plants as well as retaining water, causing dangerous water stagnation.
The good news is that even clay soil can be improved .
Add to your soil organic material such as manure , organic universal soil , peat, compost, but also inorganic material such as sand (better if mixed with gravel), ash and agricultural chalk.
You will need to bury these materials not too deeply, after having dug the soil.
Ask your trusted dealer for advice on choosing the right products and how to incorporate them into your soil .
As for the varieties to grow, clay soil is similar to silty soil but, once worked as described above, you will be able to enrich your garden with many other varieties.
6. Medium textured soil: the best type for vegetable plants
As the name itself suggests, medium-textured soil has intermediate characteristics where, unlike other types, all the components are present within it (approximately 50-70% sand, 25-40% silt, 5-15% clay and 2% humus).
This type of soil, usually of alluvial origin, is the most widespread and the best to host vegetable seedlings. In this case, what you will have to evaluate in choosing your crops are the characteristics of your climate zone.
To find out which garden plants to grow based on your climate region, it can be helpful to consult the garden calendar where you will find useful information for sowing, transplanting and harvesting for each area of Italy.
The medium-textured soil is able to retain moisture while avoiding water stagnation and is rich in organic and nutritious substances.
Being soft, the roots can sink and do not run the risk of being suffocated , as in the case of clayey soil, in case of rain.
If your soil is soft, moist, and the clods break easily between your fingers, it is medium textured.
The important thing will be to fertilize it periodically and use mulching to protect the plants from weeds and to maintain the right temperature of the most superficial part of the roots.
How to make the soil soft to accommodate vegetable plants
Even the most hostile terrains can be improved with commitment and the use of the right products.
To obtain good results you will also have to be careful to choose the most suitable tools and instruments for working the land .
Soil cultivation should be done in autumn/winter (except in very cold areas subject to frost). Here are some tips:
- Start by removing rocks, weeds and the most superficial roots
- Work the soil with the spade , sinking it in about 20-30 cm and turning it over to create clods.
- Fertilize using natural organic materials such as manure, compost and fireplace ash.
In late winter, hoe the soil to break up clods and make the top 10-20 cm of soil fine and soft.
4 Vegetable Garden Plants Suitable for All Types of Soil
If you are a beginner or if you have little time , you will probably prefer to buy ready-made seedlings from a nursery rather than growing them yourself, starting from seeds in a seedbed.
However, you will have to be careful when choosing your plants because purchasing a quality product is essential for the success of your crops .
Plants must be healthy, robust but also ready for transplanting. If the plant has been kept too long in the seedbed (and therefore kept for too long in a small space without the necessary nutrients) it may survive poorly or poorly after transplanting.
So avoid buying plants where you see a lot of roots, maybe twisted because it could be too late to transplant them. Prefer younger plants , but that are in the right phase for transplanting.
Also check that the leaves at the base of the plants are not yellowed or dry.
The leaves must not be pierced because this could be an indicator of parasites and the root ball must not have mold or a bad smell.
Also check that the leaves at the base of the plants are not yellowed or dry . The leaves must not be punctured because this could be an indicator of parasites and the root ball must not have mold or a bad smell.
Now that you know how to choose your plants, let's see what the characteristics and needs are of some of the most popular varieties in our gardens.
How to Grow Tomatoes: Water, Fertilize and Support
Tomato is one of the most popular crops among garden lovers because it is used on our tables both raw and as a base for many preparations. Just think of sauces, from simple pasta with tomato to more elaborate ones.
Here's what you need to know if you want to grow tomatoes:
- You can grow it in any region of Italy as long as your garden, or your balcony, has excellent sun exposure.
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It fears frost even if very resistant F1 varieties have been developed
- Fears drought : water frequently and use mulch to ensure the right temperature for the roots
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It is fond of organic matter . Fertilize abundantly during the soil working phase, with manure, mature compost or water-soluble fertilizer.
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Transplant at a distance of 100 cm between rows and 40 cm on the row
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The crops to be combined with tomatoes , because they are able to help each other by exchanging nutrients, are parsley, lettuce, celery and peas.
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Minimum temperatures must be at least 10 degrees
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Plan for supports and stakes to tie the plant to , such as bamboo canes, to allow it to grow in height and not fall under the weight of the fruit.
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In spring, approximately in May, carry out the “sfemminellatura” of the tomatoes , that is, eliminate the female shoots (the axillary buds that form between the shoot and the productive branches) which are the unproductive part of the plant.
- If you grow on the balcony, use pots 40-50 cm in diameter x 30-40 cm high
As you can see, growing tomatoes requires the adoption of a series of precautions but the final result, in terms of taste and quality, will reward you for all the effort.
How to transplant lettuce: leave ⅓ of the cube out of the ground
Lettuce, especially the romaine variety, is a hardy plant that can adapt to different climates.
Here's what you need to know if you want to grow salad and lettuce seedlings:
- The optimal temperature for its growth is 15-20°C but it also resists cold well. If your climate is not particularly harsh, you can grow it in the open ground from late winter (except in regions with particularly harsh climates) until autumn.
- The Roman variety is very sensitive to heat . So if you live in an area where temperatures reach high peaks, grow it in autumn and early spring.
- Grow in partial shade, that is, with half a day of sun and half a day of shade, and if this is not possible, use a shade cloth.
- Transplant at a distance of 40 cm between rows and 25 cm on the row leaving the soil cube out of the ground for a third
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Spread some soil around the cube after transplanting
- Water often but without overdoing it because lettuce fears water stagnation.
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Lettuce's "friend" plants are onion, radish and tomato
- If you grow on the balcony , use pots that are 50 centimetres wide and 25 centimetres high and transplant the plants in a slightly staggered way to avoid them disturbing each other as they grow.
Whatever your favorite variety, you can enjoy a fresh and natural product that has nothing to do with the lettuces you find on the market.
How to grow courgettes in the garden: space and mild climate
Another great classic that cannot be missing from the home garden.
What you need to know if you want to grow courgettes :
- They fear frost and their ideal temperature is between 15 degrees at night and 25 during the day . Below 10 degrees growth stops. They prefer sunny soil.
- They require a lot of nutrients. Start preparing the soil in autumn and carry out a good basic fertilization with compost or manure . Work the soil at least 10 days before transplanting
- Keep a distance of 120 cm between rows and 80 cm on the row because courgettes require plenty of space.
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Grow them in rotation and not always on the same flowerbed . Wait at least 3 years before planting them again in the portion and alternate them with legume plants.
- Transplant from April to May , depending on your climate, and continue through the summer until mid-August.
- Water abundantly (preferably early in the morning) with water at room temperature, avoiding wetting the leaves and paying attention to water stagnation.
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Useful companion plants for courgettes are lettuce, radish and spinach
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If you grow on the balcony, use pots of at least 50/60 cm in diameter and 40/50 cm in height and prefer a good soil enriched with compost . Water often but without exaggerating in quantity
You can also use very fresh courgettes raw to enrich your salads.
How to Grow Aromatic Herbs, Easy and Useful for the Garden
If you are a beginner, choose aromatic garden plants , which are the ideal crop to start with since they are easy to grow both in the field and in pots.
What you need to know if you want to grow them:
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They adapt to any type of climate and soil and are resistant to parasites and diseases.
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They do not have great needs in terms of fertilisers , especially the perennial species, that is, those that remain from year to year such as sage, thyme and rosemary which remain evergreen even in winter.
- Don't be fooled by some perennials, such as chives and mint, which appear to die in the winter but will spring back to life again in the spring.
- Annual herbs , such as basil and parsley, do not survive the cold and will need to be replanted every year.
- You can place aromatic plants both in dedicated flower beds and scattered around the garden among other vegetables that will benefit from their presence both in terms of flavor and natural protection from parasites.
- They don't require much space and are therefore perfect even if you grow them on the balcony.
- Some herbs, such as sage , mint and basil, should be eaten fresh while others, such as oregano, are better suited to being dried.
Using herbs to flavor your dishes is useful for limiting salt consumption without sacrificing taste.
Choose a reliable dealer
In this article we have seen how fundamental it is for the success of your vegetable garden, that the soil has the right characteristics and how you can improve it through targeted operations and adequate fertilization, if the starting conditions are not optimal.
Now you also know that there are some indicators that can guide you in purchasing in the nursery to help you understand if the seedlings have the right characteristics for transplanting.
Choosing a reliable dealer is the first guarantee of bringing a quality product to your garden.
Millstore offers you the possibility to choose from over 150 varieties of vegetable plants , which you can receive directly at your home healthy and fresh , thanks to the specially designed safe packaging.
If they arrive damaged, Millstore will always send you new plants or refund you.
What are you waiting for? The fantastic world of the garden awaits you.
