330 Homes Summer 2021

s p a c e l i f t | f r e s h d e s i g n | o p e n a i r | s m a r t t e c h

by KELLY PETRYSZYN and photos courtesy of AMY DRAISS at DAYTON NURSERIES

RIPE PICK Grow a fruit and vegetable garden with these pro tips.

TRY it OUT

WORK T H E GROUND Just like us, plants need to breathe. It’s best to plant fruits and veggies in raised beds with a depth of at least 1 foot for water and air flow. “Raised beds will produce more than a nonraised bed because of the extra drainage,” Dayton says. “Roots need air.” Fill the beds with organic matter like compost, cow manure or nutrient-rich sweet peet, which is a composted horse manure. To apply, spread on a 2-inch layer and use a rototiller to work it 6 inches down. “That will provide a slow-release nitrogen. The plants will do exceptionally well,” Dayton says. Before planting, also spray around beds with a glyphosate fertilizer like Roundup to control weeds. When planting heat-seeking produce, like peppers and tomatoes, wait for temps above 50 at night. It might be later than you think. “Many people think Memorial Day is the last day to plant a garden — that’s not true,” Dayton says.

B etween the convenience of fewer grocery trips and the satisfaction of enjoying the fruits of your labor — literally — many at-home fruit and veggie gardens have taken root during the pandemic, and budding gardeners continue to pack nurseries.

Dayton, president and owner of Dayton Nurseries in Norton. “It augments peo ple’s pleasure in life with good eating, so it makes perfect sense,” he says. Maintaining a produce garden takes a lot of care and planning. Dayton offers a few tips on how to have a successful harvest.

“It’s increased from last year. Last year was a banner year,” says Tom

1 6 | 3 3 O H OM E S s u mm e r 2 0 2 1