Planning ahead for the vegetable garden goes a long way to get healthy plants and tasteful treats throughout the summer months. Here are my tips for growing your best vegetable garden this year.

1. Don’t plant too early.

Avoid setting out tender crops such as tomato, cucumber, pepper and basil. They should stay under cover until nightly temperatures remain at least 55 degrees. If you want to give them a head start, plant under row cloth, milk jugs or other types of protection.

2. Keep plants spaced apart.

Plants require good air circulation to remain healthy, and crowding invites blight, mildew and disease.

3. Water properly and only when necessary.

When someone says their plant is wilting, has yellow leaves, is stunted or deformed they often hear, “You might be watering too much or not enough.” Not very helpful, but your plants need consistent watering to ensure you a bountiful harvest. They need about one inch of water weekly applied from the bottom. A layer of mulch will help keep soil moisture consistent.

4. Choose a site with great sun exposure.

Plants need at least six hours of direct sunlight. If you lack proper sunlight, you can grow in containers.

5. Improve your soil.

Healthy soil ensures healthy crops. Getting a soil test at your extension office will let you know if you need to improve soil make-up. Adding compost helps improve our clay soil and add nutrients.

6. Cover and pull the weeds.

Weeds choke your crops and compete for moisture and food. Never let weeds set seed. Mulching right after planting helps not only with moisture but keeping weeds down. Avoid using chemical herbicides in food garden.

7. Know your plant limits.

Plant only what you like. Having too many vegetables at once takes time away from keeping up with weeding, watering and other tasks. You don’t need 15 tomato plants when three will feed your family. Plant a couple extra, though, to share with neighbors and those in need.

8. Feed your crops.

In addition to adding compost a granular slow-release fertilizer is helpful and will feed your plants up to 90 days. Remember more is not better. Always follow directions on the label. Many crops will produce more foliage than fruit with too much nitrogen.

9. Improve airflow through plants. Offer support.

Tomatoes, cukes, pole beans and zucchini do best when grown up off the ground. Strong cages, trellis or teepee not only give support, but keep the crops healthier by providing better air circulation and not laying on the ground.

10. Don’t give pests a head start.

Keep insects at bay by inspecting your crops at least once a week. Examine both upper and lower surface of leaves to eliminate any pests as soon as you see them. Once they get a foothold it doesn’t take long for them to ruin a whole garden.

By getting into the habit of practicing these preventive steps your garden should thrive and you’ll enjoy the fruits of your labor.

For complete tips on growing a vegetable garden, go to http://go.osu.edu/veggiegarden.

Baytos is an Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Mahoning County.