Maintaining the Vegetable Garden

Once you've planned and set up your vegetable gardening it's time to start a regular schedule of maintenance.

Even if your garden is mulched, some weeds will always grow. Check often and pull them as you see them. Inspect your garden every day or two for pests, including the undersides of the leaves and on the stems. Hand-pull and crush any you find, or use a gentle horticultural soap.

Stake tall or vining plants to provide support and conserve space.
Groom the garden by removing unhealthy leaves, or if needed, entire plants. You can fill in the empty spaces throughout the season with fresh seeds and transplants.

And of course, don't forget to water and fertilize so that your garden will continue to provide a bountiful harvest.

UF/IFAS Sites

• Florida Gardening Calendar
• What Should I Be Doing in the Winter Vegetable Garden?
• Vegetable Gardening

UF/IFAS Publications

• Diseases in the Vegetable Garden Series
• Fertilizing the Garden
• Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide

Also on Gardening in a Minute

• Controlling Insects in the Veggie Garden
• Fertilizing Your Vegetable Garden
• Vegetable Gardening: Introduction

Other Sites

• Care of the Vegetable Garden--Agricultural Extension Service of the University of Tennessee (PDF)
• Controlling Weeds by Cultivating and Mulching--Clemson (SC) Cooperative Extension
• How-to Video: Maintaining a Vegetable Garden--National Gardening Association
• Maintaining the Vegetable Garden--Colorado State University Extension
• Summer Care of the Home Vegetable Garden--Oklahoma Cooperative Extension (PDF)
• Watering the Vegetable Garden--Clemson (SC) Cooperative Extension