Gardening tips: 15 Simple tricks to double your garden’s yield this season

• Choose plants that naturally produce more, such as arugula and zucchini. These crops are fast-growing and can be continuously harvested, ensuring a steady supply of fresh produce.
• Start seedlings indoors in late winter or early spring to get a head start. Use season-stretching devices like cold frames and row covers to protect fall crops, allowing you to grow more throughout the year.
• Avoid straight rows and, instead, stagger plants or use block planting to maximize space efficiency.
• Plant multiple crops in the same space by staggering planting times. Use vertical gardening methods with stakes, cages, trellises or fences to grow plants like beans, cucumbers and tomatoes, saving space and increasing yield.
• Harvest rainwater to water your garden, use soaker hoses for consistent irrigation and plant flowers to attract pollinators. Regular weeding and harvesting young fruits also help increase overall yield.

Homesteaders and preppers know that growing your own food is very satisfying. Homegrown produce not only tastes great but also allows you to avoid harmful pesticides and fertilizers.

Whether you’re a new or seasoned gardener, here are 15 strategies to increase your garden yield this year. (h/t to HomesteadSurvivalSite.com)

Plant high-yield crops

Some plants naturally produce more than others. Opt for high-yield crops like:

• Arugula – Arugula, also called rocket, grows in 40 to 60 days.
• Beans (pole and bush) – Beans are continuous producers when picked regularly.
• Collard greens – Collard greens have leaves that keep growing.
• Cucumbers – Learn how to train cucumbers to grow vertically for maximum yield.
• Eggplant – Eggplant is a heavy producer, especially in warm climates.
• Kale – Kale is cold-hardy and keeps producing.
• Mustard greens – Mustard greens have spicy leaves that are ready for harvesting in 30 days.
• Potatoes – Potatoes are another must-have high-yield crop.
• Radishes – Reseed these fast growers for a steady crop.
• Spinach – Best for cut-and-come-again harvesting in cooler months.
• Squash – Summer squash, in particular, grows rapidly.
• Turnips – Turnips have edible greens and roots.
• Zucchini – A high-yield summer squash variety; great for continuous production.

Extending the growing season

Start seedlings indoors in late winter or early spring. You can also protect fall crops with season-stretching devices like cold frames and row covers.

Staggered spacing

Avoid planting in straight rows. Instead, stagger plants throughout the beds to use space efficiently. Block planting works well in small spaces and raised beds. (Related: How to grow your own survival garden.)

Grow succession crops

Use the same garden space for multiple plants. After harvesting early cold-weather crops like lettuce, plant heat-loving summer plants like tomatoes.

Follow with fall crops like bush beans or kale and nourish your soil with compost between crops.

Vertical gardening

Maximize space by growing plants vertically.

Use stakes, cages, trellises or fences for crops like beans, climbing peas, cucumbers, strawberries, squashes and tomatoes. Even heavy fruits like melons can thrive with vertical gardening.

Interplanting

Interplanting means planting two crops in the same area, mixing slow- and fast-growing vegetables.

Harvest quick-growing vegetables like radishes or lettuce before slower-growing ones like parsnips or corn, which need extra space.

Plant beyond the garden plot

Grow plants in containers on your deck or balcony and herbs on your windowsills. Strawberries do well in hanging baskets.

Harvest rainwater

Collect rainwater from your roof to water your garden. This is ideal because rainwater is softer and has more nutrients and fewer chemicals than city water.

Use soaker hoses on timers for consistent irrigation.

Plant flowers

Flowers attract pollinating bees and can be edible. Consider bee balm, calendula and nasturtiums to add a delightful touch to your meals.

Fertilize

Fertilizer will help your crops produce a higher yield. It also ensures that the plants will grow strong enough to protect themselves against pests and disease. Use a balanced fertilizer.

Harvest fruits when they are young

Picking young fruits encourages plants to produce more. Young fruits usually taste better than mature ones.

Crop rotation

Growing the same crops in the same spot every year depletes specific nutrients and causes pest and disease buildup. Rotate plant families to break pest cycles and keep your garden soil balanced.

Weeding

Regular weeding reduces a plant’s competition for water and soil nutrients, increasing your yield.

Monitor and manage garden pests

Regularly monitor plants to catch potential problems early. Consult the local University Extension Office for useful tips on pest and disease management.

Mulching

Mulch helps control weeds, conserve moisture, regulate soil temperature and boost overall plant health. Use organic mulches like grass clippings or shredded leaves.

Incorporate these 15 strategies to significantly boost your harvest, regardless of your garden’s size.

Visit Health Ranger Store and Brighteon Store to browse gardening supplies.

Watch this clip with vegetable gardening tips for beginners.

This video is from the Backyard Farming channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Home gardening basics: 11 Fast-growing vegetables you can harvest in 2 months or less.

Garden fresh: Low-effort planting and chemical-free pest control.

13 Things to add to your to-do list for summer gardening.

Sources include:

HomesteadSurvivalSite.com

TheMicroGardener.com

ModernFarmer.com

Brighteon.com