13 tips to grow the perfect vegetable garden

To keep birds away from your vegetables, hang strips of reflective tape over the plants. When the tape flutters in the breeze, it casts light across the garden, which spooks wary birds.

For centuries gardeners have used companion planting to repel insect pests. Aromatic plants such as basil, tansy, mint, thyme and sage all repel bugs, so try some near your prized vegetables. Mint, dill and sage are known for their ability to fend off cabbage moths when placed near cabbage family plants (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts). Best of all, you can eat these savoury herbs!

Crop rotation is essential for preventing a buildup of harmful soilborne microbes that prefer certain plants. For this reason, don’t plant a vegetable or a member of its family in the same place year after year. Instead, divide the garden into sections and move the plants from one area to another. As a general rule, a plant should only be replanted in the same spot every three or four years.

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Source: RD.com