Warmer weather is on the horizon for the UK this week, and for those with a bit of green space, it’s time to take note.
The “#DIYVegetableGarden” trend has racked up a whopping 84.1 million views on TikTok. Yell experts have analyzed the platform’s most viral gardening tips and offer advice on how to start your own garden.
For beginners eager to grow their own vegetables, starting small is the key, the Express reports. The size of your garden will likely be determined by the space available.
It is wise to start modestly, especially if you are new to gardening.
A useful tip is to respect the meter rule, which allows you to grow a variety of vegetables and herbs in a single square meter. Contrary to what planting labels may suggest, many vegetables can thrive in small spaces, allowing you to make the most of limited space, the Mirror reports.
However, incorrect spacing can be detrimental to your orchard, slowing growth and increasing the likelihood of diseases such as downy mildew and botrytis, which could devastate your crop.
Spacing between flat boards is another technique to consider.
A popular gardening hack that has been making waves on TikTok is the carrot board. With search demand for ‘plant spacing tips’ increasing by 103 percent over the past month, it’s clear that the success of your vegetable garden depends significantly on how you space your crops.
Using a flat wooden board with straight rows for spacing is an excellent method to ensure vegetables grow properly.
This viral TikTok hack involves taking a flat board and placing bottle caps, face down, about two to three inches apart in a single row for a thirty-inch wide board. This technique is particularly beneficial when growing carrots, which should be planted in rows spaced a foot apart.
However, some varieties may allow closer row spacing.
Soil analysis with household items.
The quality of your soil can make or break the success of your garden. One of the most popular TikTok garden hacks involves testing your soil type.
With more than 391,100 views under the hashtag #SoilTesting, it is evident that soil preparation is crucial.
The testing checklist includes evaluating nutrient type, pH, and composition before planting. While you can purchase a soil testing kit, there are also DIY methods available.
For example, you can check soil pH inexpensively by mixing some soil with vinegar; If it bubbles, the soil is alkaline. Alternatively, mix with baking soda and if it bubbles, the soil is acidic.
Neither reaction indicates that the soil is neutral.
Vertical growth.
When deciding what to plant in your garden, starting with climbing plants like beans, cucumbers, and tomatoes is a simple way to ensure success.
To start growing climbing vegetables, you can build some basic trellises using pruned branches from your garden or bamboo canes, tied with twine. You can then place some old buckets or other reused containers on the base and use them to grow your plants.
In particularly small spaces, especially if you follow the one meter rule, you can even use old plastic bottles to create planting towers, with holes in the sides to grow strawberries, lettuce, herbs and other edibles.
Easy to grow vegetables.
The most exciting part of your garden is selecting which crops you want to grow. For beginners, starting with the easiest vegetables to grow will increase your chances of success on your first try.
Opt for low-maintenance vegetables that don’t require much work to grow and seeds that can be planted easily and quickly. TikTok’s favorite easy-to-grow vegetables include:
