How Do I Make My Vegetables Grow Faster?

Is the soil in your garden rich in nutrients and well-drained?

Are your vegetables planted in a sunny and warm place?

Do you keep your vegetables well-irrigated?

Are you keeping your garden free of weeds and pests?

Vegetables need more nutrients than most plants because they produce large leaves and fruit within one season. Vigorous plant growth starts with rich, well-draining soil. Amend your garden area annually with 1/2 to 1 inch of compost or composted manure. These amendments provide nitrogen but also improve drainage and soil texture so that plants can get the oxygen they need. This early attention to soil health and fertility can make a big difference in your garden growth speed.

Most vegetables need at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day to perform well. Choose the sunniest location in your yard for your vegetable garden. Vegetable plants also need warm soil and air temperatures to germinate and grow vigorously. To create a warm, cozy setting for your plants, use raised beds, which warm up faster in the spring. Floating row covers come in various weights and can also increase soil temperature. Some gardeners spread black plastic over the soil in early spring to warm it.

Vegetables need a consistent supply of moisture to grow quickly. Drought conditions not only slow growth but can cause poor yields or poor quality produce. Install soaker hoses or drip systems instead of overhead sprinklers. These systems reduce water waste and can also prevent diseases spread by wet leaves. Install moisture meters in the soil and they will alert you to dry soil long before plants show symptoms of drought.

The last thing you can do to speed up the vegetable growth rate is to just buy transplants from nurseries instead of growing vegetables from seeds. Buy stocky, young plants, and avoid those that are tall, leggy or pale in color. Set out transplants on a cool, overcast day and water the plants frequently after planting to reduce transplant shock. Soon, they'll establish roots and grow rapidly.

Weeds, pests, and diseases can seriously offset your vegetable growth rate and quality of the produce. Spend at least an hour or two each week weeding the garden. Spread 1 to 2 inches of straw or untreated grass clippings over the soil to keep weeds down. Watch for signs of disease and insect pests, and treat them promptly. Practice crop rotation, companion planting, and choose disease-resistant varieties to reduce disease problems. When dealing with insects and caterpillars, always choose organic methods first, like insecticidal soap, neem oil, or BTK (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray.